Congratulations to five Harriers who have been selected for the prestigious British Athletics Youth Talent programme/ Junior Talent Programme, a 2 year programme which commences this Sunday at Birmingham University, one of the talent Hubs located throughout the UK which will host this programme catering for all Athletics event groups. The Harriers representatives in the Junior Talent Programme are Alice Bates & Elsie Robinson from middle distance, Katie Gibson from throws & Ryan Amesimeku from sprints. Cynthia Chinemerem Ike has also been selected for the Junior Talent Programme this year, and this underlines the strength in depth the Harriers have in the squads.
Alice Bates & Elsie Robinson, both Junior England Internationals, will follow in the footsteps of Emily Williams & Indienne King from the Middle Distance Squad who were also selected for this programme in previous years (Indie is in year 2 of her YTP programme based at Loughborough).
Alice Bates (left) & Elsie Robinson both selected for the YTP showing their Gold medals won at the Midland Counties Road Relays.
Ryan Amesimeku who finished 6th at English Schools in his first full year competing for KTH - selected for YTP
Katie Gibson, a consistent finalist at English Schools finishing in 4th place this year just out of the medals - selected for YTP
Cynthia Chinemerem Ike also selected for the Junior Talent Programme
The programme aims to complement club provision and add value to the athlete and coach plan to help develop a broad range of skills, abilities and behaviours needed for senior success. This is delivered through practical training sessions with likeminded athletes in their event group, performance support sessions and workshops. There is also the opportunity for coaches to access additional qualifications, mentoring and support delivered through the England Athletics YTP coaches.
For those athletes in full-time education the YTP will allow the athlete to gain an academic support qualification (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) allowing progression either to further / higher education or to gain employment within a related field. Those athletes not in full-time education will be able to access the YTP content and use skills gained from their training to support their personal development and progression without the qualification.
This is the first step in the UKA talent pathway programme which is focused around developing a dual career for the athlete, through fulfilling their potential within the sport and also their education and employability, and will hopefully enable the athletes to continue their development and hopefully their Junior International careers.
We wish all of the athletes the best of luck.