Coach Education 

 Welcome to our first Coaching Newsletter of 2026

For all our Licensed Coaches & Leaders in Wales

As the coaching landscape continues to evolve, Welsh Athletics is driving forward developments in coach education, coach development, digital transformation, and long-term performance pathways.

Recent months have centred on creating development opportunities that feel practical and reflective of real coaching environments. Coaches have highlighted how valuable it is to have space to step back, evaluate their practice, and connect theory with the day-to-day realities of athlete development.

A key milestone has been the involvement of a selection of Welsh coaches in the Advanced Coach pilot programme, which was launched last October across the UK. The pilot offers a more personalised approach to development, with regular reflection, mentoring support, and the opportunity to build a purposeful coaching portfolio. Early feedback has been very positive, with coaches valuing the depth of discussion and peer collaboration. Importantly, the inclusion of Welsh coaches ensures that the Welsh coaching voice is represented in shaping how the programme evolves.

Beyond formal programmes, there is a growing emphasis on strengthening the Welsh coaching community, encouraging collaboration across clubs, sharing insight, and celebrating good practice.  

Once the Pilot Advanced Coach Award is completed and feedback carefully considered, we look forward to making the course available to the community in Wales. In the meantime, we wish the current cohort, along with their mentors and tutors, every success as they complete this programme.

Improving Digital Systems for Coaches

Technology was identified as one of the biggest barriers during the coaching review, with systems described as fragmented and difficult to navigate. Addressing this has been a key priority.

Work is well underway to move towards a more modern, streamlined digital experience for coaches which will replace the current Athletics Hub platform.  The aim is to provide a single, clearer platform where qualifications, licensing, compliance and course bookings are easier to manage and track.

Features include a single user profile containing qualifications, licence status, and progress with:
• Integrated digital licences, replacing the current slow and manual process.
• DBS checks linked directly in the system.
• Streamlined course booking and payment.
• Clear visibility of what you’ve done - and what you still need to do.

Details regarding the launch of the new platform will be shared later in the Spring and will continue support all our coaches with our existing platforms in the interim.

Alongside this, a wider data review is being carried out to improve the accuracy and consistency of coach records. Overall, the focus is on reducing frustration, improving clarity, and ensuring coaches across Wales feel better supported both on and off the track. 

To ensure a smooth transfer of coach data to our new platform, we kindly ask all Welsh Athletics coaches to review their personal details in their accounts. Please check that your name, address, contact information, and other details are up to date.

Updating your information now will help us avoid delays and ensure that the transition to the new system is seamless.

Thank you for your support.

Celebrating New Run Leaders!

Seventeen enthusiastic volunteers recently took their first step on their coaching journey at the Welsh Athletics Leader in Running Fitness course at Swansea University. By gaining the skills to safely lead small groups of social runners, they’re already making a real difference in their local running communities.

A huge thank you to our brilliant tutors Mike and Jonny, and to Swansea University staff Aled and Alex for their fantastic support on the day.

This is just the beginning — if you’re ready to take your first step as a run leader, book onto one of our upcoming courses and start your journey today!

Age-Group Changes

Following a consultation with all Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAFs), UK Athletics announced its decision to approve changes to the existing competition age groups which will take place on 1st April 2026.

The age categories for young athletes competing under UKA rules will move from the current U13, U15, U17 and U20 structure to U14, U16, U18 and U20. These changes are designed to better support athlete development, encourage participation growth, and improve retention among young people in the sport.

Outside of the formal competition structure, primary school-aged athletes will be encouraged to take part in U10 and U12 categories. These competitions will follow multi-event formats focused on running, jumping, and throwing activities.

For full details regarding these changes please click HERE.

 Fun Introduction to Run, Jump, Throw

We’re delighted to launch Athletix, a brand-new recreational athletics programme designed especially for children aged 4–12 who are new to the sport or who want to enjoy athletics in a fun, relaxed environment.

Athletix introduces children to the fundamentals of movement — running, jumping and throwing — through exciting games, creative challenges and confidence-building activities.

Children progress at their own pace through three stages:

• Starting Blocs (Ages 4–7)

• Challenger (Ages 7–10)

• NextGen (Ages 10–12)

Our first Athletix providers, including established athletics clubs, running groups and local authority sport development teams, will begin delivering sessions from April 2026, with more venues launching later in the year.

Our Expression of Interest is still open now for clubs and community partners to sign up to be a part of the first implementation of grassroots athletics from Spring 2026!  

Get in touch if you would like to discuss the opportunity to be involved. Register your interest via our expression of interest form, or contact Katy.evans@welshathletics.org with any questions.  

Coaching Resource Spotlight! 

Did you know that  your Athletics Hub account, has a library of over 1,100 videos and resources designed to support you at every stage of your coaching journey.

Whether you’re currently working through your qualification or you’re already qualified and building on your experience, the Hub is there for you. If you’re progressing through your course, it can feel like there’s a lot to take in. Technical models, session planning, delivery styles, assessment expectations, it’s easy to feel pressure to get everything right. The resources in your account allow you to revisit key concepts as many times as you need. You can watch demonstrations again, reflect on delivery, and connect theory to real coaching environments. It’s like having access to experienced mentors whenever it suits you.

If you’re already qualified, the Hub remains just as valuable. Great coaches never stop learning. They refine, adapt and stay curious. Inside those 1,100+ resources are fresh ideas, technical refreshers, session inspiration and solutions to common challenges. Sometimes a single video can spark an adjustment that transforms the energy or effectiveness of a session. Continuous development doesn’t have to be overwhelming, it can simply be about staying engaged and open to learning.

What makes these resources especially powerful is that they were built by coaches, for coaches. They reflect the realities of working with athletes in real environments. They understand the challenges, the questions, and the desire to deliver the best possible experience for those you coach. This isn’t abstract theory; it’s practical, applicable and grounded in experience.

If you haven’t explored the full library recently, this is your encouragement to dive back in. You dedicate so much energy to developing others, make sure you give yourself that same opportunity. With over 1,100 resources available, your resources are ready whenever you are!

So grab a coffee, and hit the link above! 

Strengthening Coaching Philosophy

Another important theme emerging from the coaching review in Wales was the need for greater clarity around what “good coaching” looks like.

In response, we are developing a guiding framework built around seven core areas of coaching practice. However, the real aim is not to prescribe a single model, but to encourage Welsh coaches to develop their own philosophy, one that is personal, authentic and reflective of their values and behaviours.

A coaching philosophy does not need to be formally written down. It is about clarity of purpose, consistency in approach, and understanding the impact we have on the athletes and communities we support.

Together, these developments, from Athletix Activators through to specialist pathways and philosophy work, reflect our commitment to building a modern, inclusive and forward-looking coaching system for Wales.

Understanding Coaching Styles

Across Wales, athletics leaders and coaches use a variety of approaches depending on their athletes, the session goals, and the environment. Understanding different coaching styles can help you create positive, inclusive, and effective experiences for all your athletes.

Autocratic – Take the Lead

The autocratic style is pretty straightforward: the coach makes the decisions and tells athletes exactly what to do. It can work well in certain situations, particularly when safety is a priority, such as introducing inexperienced throwers to new skills, or when quick decisions need to be made. However, this approach doesn’t give athletes much chance to reflect, problem-solve, or take ownership of their development, which can limit long-term growth.

Democratic – Collaborate with Your Athletes

Democratic coaching is almost the opposite of autocratic. Coaches using this style actively seek athlete input, encourage questions, and develop a collaborative environment. This approach builds motivation, especially intrinsic motivation, helps athletes feel valued, and supports an athlete-centred philosophy. It is generally suitable for most sessions, particularly when you want to engage athletes in their development. That said, it may not be the best choice in situations where immediate decisions are needed or safety could be compromised.

Holistic – The “Person First, Athlete Second” Approach

Holistic coaching focuses on the athlete as a whole person rather than just their physical performance. Coaches taking this approach consider an athlete’s mental, emotional, and social wellbeing alongside their training. This style supports long-term development, encourages meaningful relationships, and allows sessions to be tailored to the individual. While it requires time and a deeper understanding of each athlete, the long-term benefits of holistic coaching make it a highly effective and genuinely athlete-centred approach.

Laissez-Faire – Giving Athletes Independence

The Laissez-Faire style is aimed at highly experienced athletes who are able to manage their own training and decision-making. In this approach, the coach steps back, giving athletes greater independence and ownership over their development. This can foster self-motivation and independence, but it comes with the risk that athletes may feel unsupported or lack direction if the approach is overused. It is most effective when used occasionally, for experienced athletes or when preparing them to train independently, such as at competitions where the coach is not present.

Finding the Right Mix !

No single coaching style fits every athlete or every situation. The most effective coaches blend approaches depending on the individual and the session. Research shows that democratic and holistic approaches are particularly effective with young athletes, helping them feel valued, motivated, and engaged. Autocratic methods have their place, especially when safety or clarity is critical, but relying on them too heavily can limit athlete independence and development.

Take a moment to reflect on your own practice. Consider which coaching style you use most often, when you might try a different approach, and how well you understand the person behind the athlete. Thinking about these questions can help you create more supportive, engaging, and effective sessions for athletes across Wales.

Good luck with your coaching journey, keep experimenting, reflecting, and inspiring athletes!

Share Your Coaching Reflection by hitting the button above! 

Beyond The Track

Dive into the world of Welsh Athletics with our weekly Beyond The Track Podcast, hosted by James Thie and Jenny Nesbitt. From inspiring athlete stories to expert insights, the podcast covers the latest action in Wales and beyond. Hear from stars like Jeremiah Azu and Colin Jackson, and get perspectives from top coaches and performance directors.

Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, so tune in for your weekly dose of motivation, insider knowledge, and the passion behind the sport.

Coaches Corner 

Join us as we shine a light on @mellor2201, one of the incredible coaches across Wales dedicating their time to helping young athletes get involved in athletics! 

Mark began his own athletics journey over 19 years ago as an athlete  and started coaching in 2019, eventually becoming a fully qualified Athletics Coach. In this short video, he shares insights into his life as a coach, how he balances keeping his athletes safe while making their sessions fun and engaging.

From building friendships to overcoming challenges, Mark’s stories highlight his gratitude, commitment, and enjoyment in seeing his athletes progress. He talks about creating trust, working through technical elements, and fostering a supportive, relaxed environment.

Click the link above to hear Mark’s journey and see how he inspires the next generation of athletes!

Do you have a story, insight, or experience from your coaching journey you’d like to share? We’re inviting coaches to feature in our Summer Edition! If you would like to be part of our next edition. please click the form below to submit your story and inspire the athletics community. We'd love to hear from you!

This St David’s Day, we celebrate the pride, resilience and unity that define Wales, and the spirit of “Gwnewch y pethau bychain,” making a difference through consistent care and commitment.

Every session you lead, every athlete you inspire, and every standard you set strengthens athletics across Wales. Today, we proudly honour the coaches and leaders shaping the future of our sport and running communities nationwide.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!