The Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) hosted by Athletics Solomon Islands took an important step towards strengthening Athletics at grassroots level, with a Kids’ Athletics Train the Trainer course bringing together local and international coaches, teachers, and athletics leaders in August.
The course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and practical tools needed to deliver engaging, safe and inclusive athletics activities for children and young people.
Kids’ Athletics is a global grassroots programme of World Athletics, aimed primarily at children aged 4–14. Rather than focusing solely on traditional competition, the programme introduces children to the fundamentals of running, jumping, and throwing through fun, social and adaptable activities.
The Train the Trainer approach is particularly important because participants are not simply learning how to deliver Kids’ Athletics themselves, they are developing the capacity to share that knowledge with other coaches, teachers, and practitioners in their communities. World Athletics has used this model to train Kids’ Athletics leaders within its Member Federations, who can then support wider practitioner education at national level.
The course provides an opportunity to build a stronger foundation for the future of athletics by increasing the number of people who can confidently introduce children to the sport in schools, clubs, and community settings.
The emphasis is on creating positive first experiences of Athletics. Activities are designed to be flexible and accessible, helping children develop fundamental movement skills while also building confidence, teamwork, and enjoyment through participation.
That approach is at the heart of Kids’ Athletics globally. World Athletics describes the programme as a way to encourage children to move, play and explore, while developing skills and confidence and creating a connection with physical activity that can last throughout life.
The timing is also significant, with 2026 marking the fifth anniversary of World Athletics’ global Kids’ Athletics Day campaign. The initiative has continued to grow internationally, with more than one million children and young people reached annually through Kids’ Athletics programmes.
As participants undertake the course in Solomon Islands this week, the real impact will extend well beyond the training room. The knowledge and practical experience gained can be taken back to schools, clubs, and communities, creating more opportunities for children across the country to discover athletics in a fun, welcoming and accessible environment.
By investing in the people who introduce children to sport, OAA is helping lay the groundwork for the next generation of athletes and, just as importantly, a generation of young people who enjoy being active.
