Eilidh and guest Q and A panel to present at our YPF Conference

Tuesday 14th February 2023

Eilidh Doyle (photo by Bobby Gavin)

scottishathletics are taking the final bookings for our first Athletics Trust Scotland Young People’s Forum Conference in March.

The conference theme will be: Strengthening the Future – Our Vision for Young People in Athletics.

And we’re delighted to now confirm a number of key speakers and guests for the YPF Conference, which is being held in association with Roon the Toon.

We are at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow on Saturday 11 March for an exciting gathering of our young athletes, coaches and Officials, where you will have the opportunity to take part in fun ice breakers, educational workshops and focus groups and to meet some inspiring presenters.

Double Olympian Eilidh Doyle is our guest speaker for the morning session; the day runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm and is free to attend. (*NOTE: Spaces are very limited now and we will operate a Waiting List system).

In the afternoon, we welcome a special panel for a Q and A session:

Derek Rae: Fife AC Paralympian

Diane Ramsay: Glasgow 2014 athlete and technical Official

Paul Forbes: Edinburgh AC Masters World Record holder

Annabel Simpson: Fife AC Scotland international

Natalie Sharp: Coach rep from Kilmarnock Harriers (and the YPF)

The Conference is aimed at 12 to 23-year-olds. However, we understand that it could be of interest to

club reps (over 23 years old). If any club rep would like to attend, we ask that it is maximum one club rep per affiliated club.

Register online

Enter Roon the Toon

As we continue to move beyond the global pandemic, scottishathletics and the ATS Young People’s Forum strived to understand the long-term impact Covid-19 has had on participation of young people in athletics and running.

Indications are that younger age groups have struggled to return to our sport more than others.

Since the ATS Young People’s Forum was established in December 2021, the members have been committed to giving young people a platform and voice in all aspects of the planning, development, and delivery of athletics in Scotland.

With this in mind, participants of the conference will have the opportunity to be involved in discussions around topics that have been highlighted through the recent surveys on ‘The Retention of Young People in Sport’ and ‘The Mental Health of Young People in Sport’ that were sent out to all scottishathletics members aged 23 and under.

Throughout the day, delegates will each attend three workshops. These workshops will give you the opportunity to learn more about the different issues affecting young people in sport.

ATS Young People’s Forum reflect on strong first year

With thanks to Lindsay McMahon and Fran Snitjer