Norwich Union star:track provides a year round opportunity for children aged 8 to 15 to develop and hone their skills within structured and exciting coaching programmes.
Many schemes run the Norwich Union shine:awards, which enable children to gain their first taste of athletics and measure their success through the achievement of a range of dynamic awards. For more information visit the shine:awards section.
The concept of 'star:track’ emerged in the spring of 1992 in order to harvest the interest generated by the major athletic championships each year. The ‘star:track’ programme was a fun introduction to athletics for 8 to 13 year olds. The scheme’s first year saw 8000 children take part in ‘star:track’ across a total of 78 venues.
Now almost fifteen years later, UK Athletics, in partnership with Norwich Union have developed Norwich Union star:track into a year round athletics experience for all children between the age of 8 and 15 regardless of ability, gender or background.
Last year, Norwich Union star:track was the most successful star:track activity since the concept began, with 25,000 children taking part at over 500 venues across the UK.
Norwich Union star:track is now delivered by not only local authority organisers but by athletic clubs, schools and other athletics development partners.
UK Athletics’ key aims for the Norwich Union star:track scheme are:
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Raise the profile of athletics amongst children in the community.
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Introduce children to athletics in a fun and exciting format.
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Introduce athletics to minority groups.
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Introduce, support and develop coaches and officials.
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Help more children to stay involved in athletic athletics, through increasing the level of athletics ‘follow on’ activity – from school to star:track and from star:track to club.
- Help children to improve their athletic skill and give them the opportunity to progress their performance.
