24 October 2007
The following information below outlines the World Class Pathway process and the UKA 5 Rings model designed to support the progression of athletes to the podium.
UKA World Class Pathway
The Athletics World Class Pathway is focussed on podium or top 8 success at Olympic and World competitions. For disability athletes, the target is podium at Worlds and Paralympics. As outlined below there are three components of the World Class Pathway, each supported by their own dedicated UKA performance staff.
Programme Levels | | Years to the Podium |
World Class PodiumA, B, C Focussed output - Olympic medallists + finalists | | Already there or two years away at most |
World Class DevelopmentD, E, F Focussed development to Olympic entry standard | | Three to six years away from the podium/top 8 target |
World Class Talent Careful selection and foundation of gifted and motivated athletes | | Individuals showing the potential to reach the podium/top 8 target |
The World Class Podium programme caters for athletes who are already at, or within two years of reaching, podium at a World or Olympic level. Athletes in this programme are funded at either A, B or C level, depending on performance. The criteria A and B level are set across sports by UK Sport; A level funding is for current Olympic and World Championship medallists only and B level funding is available to athletes who finished in the top 8 at the last hosting of these championships. C level funding is either for up and coming athletes who have yet to reach a final at a major championship, or athletes who can still demonstrate clearly that they have the potential to podium in the next two years. For disability athletes the criteria are tighter and athletes will normally be required to have already reached a Podium at a World or Olympic level to be funded on the Podium programme.
A special status applies to relay runners. In order to retain A level funding a medal winning relay runner will also have to provide evidence of their ability to perform as an individual at the major championship event of that year. For World or Olympic Championships they will be required to secure a top 8 individual slot whilst at European level a top 6 placing will be required. Similar levels for Disability athletes will be fixed in due course.
The World Class Development programme caters for athletes who are within four to six years of reaching a World or Olympic podium. Athletes deemed closer to podium are normally funded at D level. E and F levels support athletes five to six years from the podium, already proven individuals currently recovering from injury, and previously successful athletes who show the potential to regain World Class levels of performance. Again for disability athletes the criteria are tighter, and athletes have to be within four years of reaching the podium to be funded at this level.
The World Class Talent programme supports the athletes who are within eight to ten years of the podium. At this level, each athlete is tested to see if they have the necessary skills to realise their potential. These tests and the development programmes, which are also a key feature of this stage, are all based around the Five Rings Model. This level is the entry point to the World Class Pathway for the vast majority. It provides UKA with a way to identify those who have genuine capacity to reach the top, and the athlete with a personalised programme, which addresses weaknesses and builds on strengths.
By the end of the season, the Athlete Performance Templates (the APT which is used with Podium) or the Athlete Performance Potential Template (APPT, used with Development and Talent) will have been completed for all athletes currently on the programme, plus potential “new recruits” who are being tested to see if they meet the criteria outlined above. Athlete review meetings usually take place in September for the able bodied programme with athletes notified of the outcome in late October.
Five Rings – Supporting the Athlete Pathway
The five rings model is an opportunity to explore a fresh approach to the development of coaching in the UK that is wide in scope and targets the collective needs of athlete and coach as they strive to raise standards of performance at every level.
The five rings model is being used as the basis for delivery through regional and national event groups coordinated by the event management groups. The resources used are built upon five components or “rings” that are crucial in developing maximum performance in any event.
They are:
Technical and Tactical
The techniques and tactics required to master specific events
Psycho-Behavioural
The mental abilities and fitness required to train and compete with peak efficiency and effectiveness
Strength and Conditioning
Systematic and sustained preparation of the physical components necessary to address the demands of the event
Lifestyle
The often neglected external factors, which can play a significant part in enhancing or detracting from, top performance. How do your athletes live when they’re not training?
Fundamental Movement Skills
Basic to advanced motor skills that underpin athletic performance.
This wider and evolving approach to coach development involves the growing network of support being offered by both Celtic Nations and English Regions.
Power of 10
The Power of 10 is not just another initiative, or a list of athletics rankings, it's a year-on-year drive for greater strength in depth across all events and regions. After careful analysis of world, UK and regional standards and trends, we've built up a clear picture of the progress we will need to make in order to produce more world-class athletes.
Our purpose is to drive up performance levels in every event, every region and every age group . Which is why, each year leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games we will be setting ever increasing targets. We should have at least ten athletes achieving times, distances, or heights better than those predefined annual targets. You can visit the Power of 10 website at: www.powerof10.info
