Sport is for everyone! YPF member Callum on inclusive athletics

Wednesday 13th August 2025

Callum races at the National Road Relays in Livingston in March (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Callum Ballantyne on Para sport, inclusion and making an impact through our ATS Young People’s Forum.

By Eilidh Miller

We recently caught up with Callum Ballantyne, a long-standing member of our Athletics Trust Scotland Young People’s Forum (YPF), to hear about his experiences in athletics, both on the track and beyond. Callum is a Para athlete with Cumbernauld AAC.

Callum, who competes mainly over the 1500m distance, has been involved with the Forum for the past four years and now acts as a mentor, helping to guide and support newer members.

Alongside his role on the Forum, he is also a Coaching Assistant at his club and has completed his Level 1 Starter Official qualification.

His commitment to the sport extends well beyond racing. As a T20/F20 classified athlete, Callum lives with Dyspraxia, which affects his coordination, and has a learning disability that forms part of his overall condition.

His classification reflects an intellectual disability, meaning part of his brain functions differently to other athletes – something he is keen to help others understand in the context of athletics.

At the heart of Callum’s success has been the support he has received from his coach Stephen Wallace, Head Coach at Cumbernauld AAC and Vice President of UK Athletics.

Callum values the way Stephen adapts training and competition plans to suit his individual needs, helping him to enjoy what he does and retain him in the sport.

Callum praises the inclusive environment at Cumbernauld AAC, and believes that adaptability is the key to ensuring all athletes feel part of the sport. He speaks openly about the barriers that still exist for Para athletes, particularly around judgement and stigma.

‘We may have a disability, but we still have feelings. I think in sport we sometimes get perceived differently.

‘We just want to try and be part of sport, and sport is for everyone.’

Denise meets our YPF and agrees athletics must have wider focus

Callum (second from right at back) and fellow YPF members meet with Denise Lewis

Being part of the YPF has been a transformative experience for Callum, helping him grow in confidence and connect with other like-minded young people.

Making friends has not always come easily to him as a result of his disability, but through the Forum he has built lasting friendships and explored new aspects of athletics – from coaching to officiating.

A recent highlight of his time in the Forum was meeting Denise Lewis, President of UK Athletics, during the most recent YPF meeting – an incredible opportunity in what has already been a memorable four years in the group.

‘Hopefully we can make an impact in the sport. That’s what I’ve learned out of the four years I’ve been on the panel.’

As recruitment opens for the next YPF intake later this year, Callum is encouraging other young athletes to consider getting involved – especially those who might be looking to express their voice in the sport.

He believes the Forum is an ideal place to develop skills, explore different areas of athletics, and most importantly, feel included.