What could a young athlete become with consistent training and the right environment?

I was not an exceptional athlete during my earlier years in South Africa. I was involved in athletics and enjoyed competing, but I would not have been considered one of the country’s outstanding young athletes.

Later, after moving to the United States, I experienced a more structured training environment. Over approximately three years, consistent training and physical development helped me become significantly stronger as an athlete.

Eventually, I developed to a level where I was capable of competing at an elite junior and senior level for South Africa.

So what changed?

Looking back, structure was the single most important difference instead of a single workout or a secret training method.

Training consistency over time laid the basis for physical conditioning and development naturally followed.

Structured coaching is more than attending training every week and should include:

Why this is important for young athletes

Children develop differently because some of them mature physically earlier than others. Some develop coordination and technical ability quickly while others may take longer to become stronger or more confident.

The value of a development pathway

For younger children, the priority should often be movement, coordination, enjoyment and developing a positive relationship with physical activity and maybe not yet specialised training.

As children grow and show greater interest in athletics, they can gradually move into more structured development and this is the thinking behind the different programmes being developed at FFA.

Kiddie Athletics

Kiddie Athletics is intended to introduce younger children to movement and athletics through activities appropriate to their stage of development.

Youth Athletics Development

The Youth Athletics Development Programme is intended to provide a pathway where athletes can develop progressively over time by understanding that athletes are at different stages and helping them develop from where they are.

Give development time

Young athletes want to improve and compete but sometimes the most important thing we can give an athlete is time.

The FFA approach

Our programmes are designed around the idea that development is a journey.

My own journey is one reason I believe that the difference is time, structure and the opportunity to develop.

If you would like to learn more about FFA Kiddie Athletics or the Youth Athletics Development Programme, you can contact us to discuss which programme may be appropriate for your child.

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