Community

Linking sport and fun

Home

José Garcia Grossocordón, responsible for Junior and Youth activities at the federation, explains that, like Kids’ Athletics, Playing Athletics participants use a variety of modified equipment, which can be set up in sports halls and other non-traditional athletics facilities for running, jumping and throwing competitions that introduce athletics in a simple and fun way

The programme, which is supported by government initiatives as well as the major Spanish food brand Grupo Leche Pascual, is integrated into the athletics activities of each of Spain’s autonomous regions. Competitions for six to 12 year-olds take place during the school year in local, regional, and provincial rounds before a national Playing Athletics finals.

A total of 612 schools competed during the school year 2007-2008. The finals took place in Antequera, Malaga, on 24 May 2008 – also the IAAF’s World Athletics Day – and some 200 pupils from 40 primary schools participated.

Well-known athletes like pole vaulter Dana Cervantes and decathlete “scar González were present to cheer the competitors on and perhaps check out their future competition. Grossocordón reports that 11 of the young athletes taking part in the 2005 final went on to compete in the Spanish Youth (ages 14 and 15) Championships in 2008, with one winning a medal.

The federation has produced two publications and five DVDs to provide basic information about the programme and serve as a basis for adaptation to meet local needs. Individual schools are free to add events, and clubs are invited to run competitions and related activities for other age groups.

According to Grossocordón, after only four years Playing Athletics has led to the recovery of athletics in schools and strong interest on the part of students. The number of participants has increased each year and results gathered by the regional federations show that more than 19,000 pupils have taken part, although the actual total may be higher.

Playing Athletics is a key element of the federation’s youth strategy, which in turn echoes the IAAF strategy: to make athletics the number one participatory sport in schools; to develop athletics-based health and fitness programmes that can be used at all levels; and to create fun athletics for children.

“Our future plans are to continue to increase the number of participants and to encourage greater involvement of the governments of the autonomous regions.”




Fact File
Programme: Jugando al Atletismo (Playing Athletics)
Organiser: Real Fedeación de Atletismo (Spanish Athletic Federation)
Start Date: 2004
Target Group: 6 to 12-year-olds
Participants in 2008:    612
Support: Government, Grupo Leche Pascual
More Information: José Garcia Grossocordón [email protected]



Official Partners
Official Partners
Official Partners
Official Partners
Official Partners
Official Partners
Broadcast Partner
Broadcast Partner
Preferred Suppliers
Supporting Hotel
Photography Agency