Try athletics this winter

Live your athletics dreams like Jessica Ennis

Just because it's raining or cold, does not mean you can't have fun doing athletics.

Star:track is one of the best initiatives around and there will be one not far from you this winter.

It doesn't even matter if you've never tried athletics before - you just need to be aged between eight and 15.

The scheme is massively successful and was set up through UK Athletics and Norwich Union and organised by your local club or council sports development team.

Star:track goes on throughout the year and there are even top GB athletes touring the country popping in to pass on their tips, as well as UK Athletics qualified coaches on hand for expert advice.

Find your local star:track scheme:
star:track website

One rising superstar who can thank star:track for kick-starting her athletics career is Jessica Ennis.

The 20-year-old from Sheffield won an amazing heptathlon bronze at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and she has great memories of learning her skills.

"My parents encouraged me to take part in star:track at Don Valley Stadium," Ennis says.

"My sister and I went for two to three years, we had a great time, and then I joined my athletics club."

You could do the same and soon be wearing medals with a little bit of talent and, more importantly, plenty of hard graft.

For further details on this and other schemes, check out the UK Athletics website:
UK Athletics grassroots schemes

Or contact UK Athletics:
Athletics House, Central Boulevard, Blythe Valley Park, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 8AJ

Phone: [phone]

Or e-mail:
[e-mail]