Yesterday marked the first meet of the West Yorkshire Track and Field League series for 2025. For my daughter, like many young athletes facing first-time athletics competition, it brought understandable nerves.
While she had cross-country experience, track and field athletics presents unique pressures: the feeling of being individually watched, the vulnerability of competing alone, and the technical uncertainties of starts and jumps. Moments like these can trigger anxieties and fear of failure, but can also build confidence and improve self-esteem.
I am a strong believer that positive and negative outcomes from competition are facilitated by parents, coaches, officials, volunteers, clubs and event promoters. The West Yorkshire Track and Field League does a great job of providing structured but relaxed competition that serves as a great introduction to track and field athletics for young people in our region.