Best age to begin athletics for girls

[Suzyboozy]

Is there an ideal age to start athletics for girls? Is post puberty better? Amazed at all the wonderful Olympic athletes, my dd would love to give it a go, she's 13.

13 is perfect. Or maybe just before

The best age is whenever they want to do it. Motivation is such an important driving factor in sport. By all means get your DD signed up to a club if she’s feeling inspired

She's talking about Olympics 😅 she loved watching Keely Hodgkinson last night!

So did DD and I - she is amazing!

Wasn't she just incredible, all of Team GB are just knocking it out of the park!

13 is a perfectly fine age. She probably won't get to the olympics, not only because of her age but because most people don't, but really, who cares. As long as she's happy she'll have a great time and learn a skill in the process!

I would have said starting as a 13 year old has as much chance of being at the olympics as someone starting at say 11. As long as the 13 year old has good general fitness from participating in other sports

Start at 13 will probably find that she is an ‘older’ new starter. But, any age is fine if the child is enthusiastic. When I was coaching we started at 8 years old.

All sports seem to start so early these days.. She has good fitness through swimming & dancing

I know what you mean about all sports starting early. But I do think athletics is one that can be taken up a little later and should be easier to catch up. Swimming fitness should translate well. I hope it works out for her .

It's nice to see her so enthusiastic, she's been glued to the Olympics, she's also interested in the canoeing & possibly joining a club.

Ah @Suzyboozy we are in Paris for the games and saw Keely win last night. Cannot lie, dd and I were both a bit emotional - it was so well deserved!

It's great that your dd is inspired. Our athletics club takes dc from age 8 (they have to be 9yo in yr 4+ to compete) but starting at 13 is fine, esp if she is already fit and active. Contact a few local clubs maybe as a shortage of coaches can mean there is a waiting list.

Really hoping for an Olympics effect this summer. We need more athletes esp in field - no GB women LJ or TJ or throws and not many men either in Paris 😪

@clary how special was that! Such an amazing win for Keely, I'm sure she has inspired lots of other girls like my dd!
Yes you are right about field, given the depth we have in track we really should be putting out more on the field.

DD is 12, going into Y8 in September and just finishing her 2nd season competing. They can start competing from Y6. Athletics has so many disciplines I’m sure your DD will find something to suit her. Find a local club and get her involved!

Many young DC start between 8-10 years old. 13 is fine. You could suggest your DD starts with the Parkrun.

Not that this makes a difference to the op but just to amend this in case others are reading - athletes can compete from U11 age in certain comps only, so yr 5, or yr 4 once they are 9yo. Yr 6 and yr 7 is U13 and able to compete in more comps, inc Youth Development League (YDL).

Age groups are changing in 2025 (or 2026?) tho so that may change.

Thanks for all the replies, she did the 2k parkrun this morning & loved it! This Olympics has really inspired her between our amazing women in the women's relay 4 x 400m last night, Georgia Bell's bronze medal & Keely Hodgkinson there is so much to activate teens.
I think a lot of sports demand such young starts eg Gymnastics etc athletics is good for older kids.