• Young Athletes want to train for fun and companionship. We encourage competition and volunteering (for older athletes) linked to athletic and personal development. The aim of all coaching and support activity is that athletes are able to achieve their potential and personal goals and have fun in doing so.
• Different types of coaching should satisfy the specific needs of the various age ranges and ensure that the process is one of Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD) rather than short term performance gain.
• Participation in athletics should develop according to ageand we follow the principles associated with LTAD.
• Athletics and coaching for the age range 8 to 10 should be almost entirely fun activity based, using games and skill development, in order to create a good general athletic base for future development. The club unfortunately does not have the resources to support this age-group at this time.
• In the age range 11 to 12 activity should be multi-skill based, without specialisation, focused on “Learning to train” principles, and above all, fast and fun, but introducing competitive activity through league teams and local/regional championships.
• In the age range 13 to 14 athletes will usually be able to focus on their main skills, and the appropriate event group(s), whilst being encouraged to maintain activity in other skill/event groups, with attention to long term development needs.
• At 15 to 16 athletes will generally already have selected a single event or event group on which they wish to focus but will still be actively encouraged to participate in other events in line with their long-term development needs.
• At age 17 and above athletes will have finally decided on the events on which they wish to focus, and the level at which they wish to pursue those events. 

Targets set by coaches must be consistent with the personal wishes andgoals of the athlete and the family or external demands on athletes.  The athlete or their guardians must always be consulted and agree to any final decisions.