No.48 September 2006 |
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Introduction
The IAAF has started this year to implement its ambitious youth athletics
program intended for both school and clubs. The main objective of the
IAAF is to make Athletics the number one sport in Schools. A new commission
has been created for this purpose and a new structure has been established
in the IAAF to assist this commission in the achievement of its objectives.
These objectives should be achieved by 2012 and the project should be
implemented through different stages.
Plan of Action 2003 - 2012
“Make Athletics the world-wide number one participatory sport
in schools in 2012” ![]() (MFs = Member Federations)
Diagram 1
1. Concept of the Educational Project:
The first stage is a stage of reflection. The main objective of this
reflection concerns the concept of the IAAF Educational Project.
This is a stage of decision as well, whether to implement a strategy
and resources indispensable to the development of this plan.
The implementation of this Project mainly requires:
1.2 Implementation of the Project
This stage corresponds to the realization of the project: it has to
ensure the arrangement of a developing network within each Member Federation
in order to make sure that the Educational Project actually infiltrates
the various educational systems (Schools and Federations) of the concerned
countries.
This stage requires a strict planning of the actions:
1.3. Development of the Project:
This reinforcement stage shall enable, by following through the actions
and striving for the generalization of our project, to develop on a
long-term basis youth’s practice of Athletics at world level. ![]() 2. Kids’ Athletics (KA)
KA is mostly known as a competitive practice for 7-12 year-old children.
It is now necessary to complete this document with educational documentation
emphasizing the educational aspect precisely.
2.1 KA, Competitive Practice:
A new version of KA has been created. In addition to the improvement
of the form, we noticed some evolution on events, modes of competitions
and training venues.
Evolution of events:
Evolution of modes of competitions:
Evolution of training venues for 11-12 year-old children
2.2 KA, Educational Practice:
An educational document is necessary for the arrangement of competitions.
The main thrusts of these educational documents are clearly defined: educational approach, the session, the organization of the group, of time, active participation of children… A Working Group was appointed to create an educational programme focused
on KA games and intended both to clubs and schools. The document is
already finalised and available. 3. Programme for the 13 - 15 years old
This new programme was implemented to fill the gaps which remain among
this age category. The programme is presented as a system of competitions
which aims at ensuring a closer link between KA and Youth Athletics.
The main characteristics of this programme consist in:
Event Programme
![]() Comments:
4. World Athletics Day
The objective of the World Athletics Day is to reinforce the practice
of Athletics in Schools. Two sessions would be organized: one session
for Federations and the other for Schools.
a. World Athletics Day in Clubs
The programme for the Day has not changed but participation is limited
to athletes (16-17 years old) who are members of clubs affiliated to
the IAAF Member Federations. If a Member Federation is willing to take
care of the organization, it will receive from the IAAF a package composed
with: T-shirts, pins, posters and diplomas.
b. World Athletics Day in Schools
The Day will be devoted to pupils from Schools only, who are 14 –
15 year old. The IAAF has sent a Circular urging our Member Federations
to coordinate the organization of the competition with School Sports
Authorities. The organizing Member Federations will receive the same
package as mentioned previously.
The programme which has been retained is the following: ![]()
Results and competition reports will have to be returned to the IAAF.
It used to be the case for the previous winners of the World Athletics
Day, that a drawing lot for school winners was organized. One winner
per Area was chosen and the selected winner was invited to Monaco on
the occasion of the Super GP Herculis Meeting on 20th August 2006. In
total 20 young athletes were invited to Monaco.
Conclusion
The new IAAF programme for youth has started to have a positive impact
on the schools and clubs. Several National Ministries of Education expressed
their interest and asked the IAAF to implement the new programme in
their respective countries. Many experts think that the new programme
will be an interesting system for those countries which have not a specific
national programme for youth and school.
Contact
Abdelmalek El-Hebil International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) 17, Rue Princesse Florestine BP 359-MC 98007 Monaco MONACO Email: abdel.malek.el-hebil@iaaf.org ![]() http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 |