The Athletics Ireland Performance Pathway Programme is designed to identify, support, and develop talented young athletes who are progressing towards success at European U18, European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), European U20, and World U20 level competitions.

For the 2026 programme, eligibility extends to athletes born between 2007 and 2010 who are demonstrating the potential to perform at these international standards.

The programme provides progressive levels of support across three tiers — Foundation, Emerging, and Priority — reflecting each athlete’s stage of development within the national performance pathway.

Collaboration with the National U20 Relay Programme

The Performance Pathway Programme works closely with the National U20 Relay Programme to ensure aligned development opportunities for athletes.

Many of the programme’s key activities including Performance Pathway Days, workshops, training camps, and competition opportunities are delivered jointly for athletes selected across both programmes. This collaboration supports the development of both individual and relay performance excellence within a cohesive national system.

1. Performance Pathway Foundation

The Foundation tier supports athletes who are beginning to show strong potential and commitment to long-term performance development.

Support includes:

• Performance Pathway T-shirt
• Performance Pathway Diary
• Invitations to Performance Pathway events in Ireland

The Performance Pathway Entry Standards are as follows:

* denotes appropriate heights & weights

2. Performance Pathway Emerging

The Emerging tier supports athletes who are further along the pathway and beginning to train and compete at, or close to, international standards.

Support includes:

• Performance Pathway T-shirt
• Performance Pathway Diary
• Invitations to Performance Pathway events in Ireland
• Access to Performance Pathway training camps abroad

The Performance Pathway Emerging Standards are as follows:

3. Performance Pathway Priority

The Priority tier supports athletes with clear potential or proven performance at international level.

Support includes:

• Performance Pathway T-shirt
• Performance Pathway Diary
• Invitations to Performance Pathway events in Ireland
• Access to training camps abroad
• Access to targeted competition opportunities abroad (subject to meeting any required qualification standards)

The Performance Pathway Priority Standards 2026 are as follows (based on performances in 2025):

The first consideration:
Any new or existing athlete will automatically be considered for selection as a PP Priority athlete if they achieve the criteria in the Championship Performance Matrix by attaining a championship medal/placing together with  multiple performance results during the Qualification Period.

The second consideration:
Any new and existing athletes that do not medal or achieve a placing at a championship may be considered for selection as a PP Priority athlete if they attain an (age/year) Performance Pathway Priority Standard twice (2) during the Qualification Period.

4. National U/20 Relay Programme

As a guide the national relay programme will look to select athletes to develop U/20 4x100m and 4x400m squads for the 2026 season. Consideration & preparation will also be given to mixed relay and medley relay opportunities where deemed appropriate & viable.

Please Note: The following criteria is used for relay squad selection purposes only during the 2026 season and not used for individual selection to a championship event or to the Performance Pathway Programme as a supported individual.

• Relay squads for the 4x100m may consist of individuals selected from but not limited to the 100m, 200m, 110h/400h and 400m events.
• Relay squads for the 4x400m may consist of individuals selected from but not limited to the 200m, 400m, 400h and 800m events.
• Athletes who have achieved the relay squad individual performance standard during the 2025 season may be considered. The following factors may also be taken into consideration:
  • 2025 Performance Lists and performance levels (the consistency of performance during the indoor/outdoor season – e.g. running multiple times under the performance standard, head to heads) will be an important factor
  • Relay experience including but not limited to:
    • Individual experience at recent major championships.
    • Recent championship experience with relay teams.
    • Exchange proficiency as shown in previous squad sessions and relay competitions.Engagement, availability and commitment to the relay programme (attendance record at previous relay sessions and relay scheduled competitions)

• • Consistency and repeatability of performances during the 2025 season
  • Injury and illness history during the 2025 season and previously
  • Future relay team potential
  • Other factors as deemed appropriate

A review of the relay squads will take place at the end of the 2026 indoor season.

Athletics Ireland reserves the right to add squad members at any time during the season if by adding an athlete this will help to achieve the performance objectives/goals of the High-Performance programme.

5. Support for Transitioning U20 Athletes (Born 2006)

For the 2026 programme, athletes born in 2006 — who were part of the U20 age group in 2025 — will be provided with individually tailored support as they transition towards U23 and senior competition levels, provided they meet the performance standards set forth by Athletics Ireland*

This transitional support recognises the importance of continuity and guidance for athletes progressing from the junior to senior performance environment, ensuring they remain connected to the national pathway while adapting to the demands of higher-level competition.

*See Performance Pathway Priority for relevant standards for 2006 born (who were u/20 in 2025)

Coach Engagement and Expectations

Coaches play a central role in the success of the Performance Pathway Programme.

Before applying for the Performance Pathway Programme, athletes should discuss the importance of collaborative working with their Personal Coach.

Coaches of Pathway athletes are asked to actively engage with the programme, demonstrate a commitment to shared development goals, & collaborate with Athletics Ireland staff & support teams.This includes participation in coach education workshops, communication around athlete planning and progression, and alignment with the principles of the Athletics Ireland Performance Pathway Framework. Strong coach buy-in is essential to ensure that athletes receive consistent, high-quality guidance & support across all training & competition environments.

Athletes not already part of the programme, who meet the relevant standards as set forth in this document, should apply through this link stating the level they are applying for and their relevant qualifying performance(s)

Any queries about the Performance Pathway Programme should be addressed to the Performance Pathway Manager, Jacqui Freyne jacqui@athleticsireland.ie