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High School Athletes Start Training at Hackney's New Dedicated Facilities

Young people can begin training at the borough's dedicated facilities and join programs that support school and community participation.

By Hackney Sport Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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High School Athletes Start Training at Hackney's New Dedicated Facilities — Storyblocks

Hackney opened the UK's first dedicated Compact Athletics Facility at Stoke Newington School in 2023, giving high school students direct access to a sprint track, long and high jump areas, and throwing zones for both school and community use.

Accessing Dedicated Athletics Facilities

The CompactTrack at Stoke Newington School serves as the entry point for beginners interested in track and field events. High school students can use the eight-lane sprint track along with dedicated long jump, high jump and throwing areas during school and community sessions. This facility supports initial training without requiring prior experience, allowing new participants to focus on basic technique in a purpose-built setting.

Joining Competitive Programs

Young Hackney's School and Youth Sports Unit coordinates weekly primary school competitions and sport leadership qualifications while running the Daily Mile across borough youth organisations. Over 700 young people trained to represent Hackney in the London Youth Games, where the borough earned 9 team medals and 52 individual medals in sports that include athletics. High school athletes can progress from local sessions into these structured competitions by first contacting the unit for guidance on eligibility and training pathways.

Free and Low-Cost Options for Beginners

Multiple free-to-access multi-use games areas across Hackney parks support high school sports such as netball, basketball, football and tennis with no booking required. Urswick School runs regular volleyball and basketball sessions for ages 11-17 during the school term at £3 per session, also without advance booking. These options provide low-barrier starting points that complement athletics-specific training at the CompactTrack facility and prepare participants for broader involvement in borough programs.

Interested high school students should reach out to Young Hackney's School and Youth Sports Unit to confirm current session times and any equipment requirements before attending.