We need to talk about ... UK Athletics

[carterhatch]

Dear Forum Users ... we need a place to talk about the governing body UKA and related matters

This article is troubling ... Ed Warner: demise of UK Athletics is scandalous

https://athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/ed-warner-demise-of-uk-athletics-is-scandalous-1039967092/

In recent months we have heard rumours that UK Athletics is not in great financial health. We have had rumours about the future of athletics at the London Stadium. We have the 'absurd' decision to not hold the UK Trials at the impressive Alexander stadium. Now a former chair really wades in [see the full article]...

Discuss...

[Loop-guru]

There's a link in the above article to a Times article written by Matt Lawton (not as negative towards Athletics as some) on the 15th April. In it it he states that there will be reduced teams sent out in the u20's & u23's this year.

[Ladyloz]

There's a link in the above article to a Times article written by Matt Lawton (not as negative towards Athletics as some) on the 15th April. In it it he states that there will be reduced teams sent out in the u20's & u23's this year.

Looking at the Selection documents; the team sizes listed are 44 for Euro U23s and 57 for U20s; this compares to 56 & 67 respectively for 2021 so cuts of roughly 20% & 15% by my (very rough) calculations).

But I'm confused; doesn't funding for this come from the UK Sport money which is ring fenced? Rather than the commercial income such as broadcasting & sponsorship which is where they are struggling big time?

[Stew-Coach]

Yeah these are my thoughts too! I question the distribution/miss use of funds in these cases.

Its becoming more and more apparent how much we/they spend on back office and support functions, these should never be ahead of athlete funding and support and ability to sent to champs ever imo

How much was the last UK sport funding amount for the cycle?

[Ladyloz]

From UK Sport website = £22,175,520 for the Paris Cycle for Athletics and £9,065,401 for Para Athletics (you would imagine that there could be some funding pots e.g. Medical Employees who can work across both; training camps which would be for for both rather than everything being spent in silos)

[Loop-guru]

Looks like some kind of bailout is being discussed.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/24/london-marathon-in-talks-to-help-save-cash-strapped-uk-athletics

[Occasional Hope]

Saving money by closing their offices at the Alexander Stadium: UK Athletics to close Birmingham HQ in bid to save money after being forced to lay off staff | Daily Mail Online

[Ursus]

Saving money by closing their offices at the Alexander Stadium: UK Athletics to close Birmingham HQ in bid to save money after being forced to lay off staff | Daily Mail Online

Just came on to post the same, but you’ve got to be up early to beat Occasional Hope. Sorry state of affairs.

[Stew-Coach]

Really bizarre situation, especially when they are meant to be opening up the Birmingham site as a "performance" and research centre for Athletics at the same time :/

[carterhatch]

Diamond League: UK Sport in talks with UK Athletics over July's meet in London

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/65572399

[Occasional Hope]

Link may have changed: try Diamond League: UK Sport in talks with UK Athletics over July's meet in London - BBC Sport

[carterhatch]

Thanks, OH.

[philipo]

Did we have winning athletes before the funding scheme commenced just before the 21st century. 1997 i believe.How did they survive?.Was any sponsoring then of individual athletes bring rewards of the A level payments of todays top funded athletes?
Has athletics brought home the olympic bacon significantly, compared to cycling for one sport, as an example.??