More than 140 representatives specialising in club systems and youth programmes and activities from 46 European countries gathered for the first European Athletics Clubs System and Youth Conference held from 6-8 November in Frankfurt.
The aim of the conference focused on ways to help Member Federations develop strategies to strengthen national clubs systems and attract young athletes and retain them in athletics.
“We all agree that clubs are a key interface between the sport and its participants and that it is in everyone’s interest that all sides work more closely together to promote the values of athletics such as health, education and youth integration,” said European Athletics CEO Christian Milz.
During the months leading to the conference, European Athletics had studied the different clubs and youth activities among the Member Federations, and the initial findings were presented to them during the conference.
“This weekend we got a chance to hear ideas from federation leaders, clubs specialists and youth advocates which will help us shape our strategy. It was very interesting comparing the situations of our Member Federations in detail and we will finalise a report of our findings to use as a base for improvement,' said European Athletics Vice President Jean Gracia.
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Participants discussed the future cooperation between clubs, Member Federations and European Athletics in order to obtain a clearer picture of the current level of development, needs and priorities related to the themes discussed.
“Our sport requires a more unified approach towards young people and it is important that European Athletics take a leading role. I am very encouraged by the quality of their input and by the enthusiasm of all the participants for the challenge of bringing more and more young people into athletics,' Gracia concluded.
Several ideas from the conference and the feedback from an online survey will be taken to the Development Commission and Council to develop an action plan.
The conference concluded with the participants unanimously adopting a final communiqué which can be downloaded under ‘Related Documents’.