FUN IN ATHLETICS

Fun in Athletics is a developmental program of Athletics Ontario (AO) and is, as the title suggests, designed to make early track and field experiences both exciting and challenging. In Fun in Athletics kids take part in the Agility Challenge, which is a series of tasks designed to give young athletes a chance to test themselves in running, jumping and throwing events in a non-competitive atmosphere. We also have a Competition Module, which pits teams of youngsters against each other in a noisy, fast-paced and exciting battle as participants score points to help their team. The atmosphere in these competitions is always full of energy and positive re-inforcement. Already we have Fun in Athletics programs in Kingston, Toronto, Hamilton and Newmarket, and we are taking the show on the road this winter to some of our northern clubs. If you are interested in looking at opportunities to bring Fun in Athletics to your club, give us a call or send us an email.  Working through International Fun and Team Athletics (IFTA), our AO delivery team is led by former World No. One High Jumper Milt Ottey. The team can run a clinic for kids in your area and teach you how to manage the program on your own. And AO can provide a discount on some of the equipment costs for our member clubs. Fun in Athletics was designed in the UK, where over 1,000,000 kids take part in it every year. It is now an active program in 14 other countries around the world. In just 6 years in Ontario we have used Fun in Athletics to introduce over 40,000 kids to track and field in our schools, and we continue to expand and get support. AO is also working with a national program called Run, Jump and Throw, which provides more intensive training for our coaches. The idea is that once kids get hooked on track and field through the Fun in Athletics program, they can develop with the help of coaches who have received training through Run, Jump and Throw. For a look at Fun in Athletics in the UK, check out the link on the left hand side. Clubs interested in finding out what Fun in Athletics is all about should contact AO, or contact IFTA directly at: 416 425-4078 or by emailing: milt@teamathletics.net