Citroën Partnership Powers Start of After-School Athletics Delivery in Schools

The Personal Best Foundation, in partnership with England Athletics and Citroën UK, has now started delivery of its after-school athletics-based programmes in schools across Coventry, Ellesmere Port and Rugby. This marks the activation of the Citroën partnership announced earlier this year, enabling the Foundation to scale its schools programme following successful pilots in Lewisham and reach more young people in key communities.

Designed to help break down barriers to activity for children who need it most, the programmes provide safe, inclusive and accessible opportunities for pupils to discover the joy of movement.

Activating the Citroën Partnership

With Citroën’s support, delivery is underway in identified schools across three areas. The programme prioritises children in Primary Schools located in the top 20% of areas of deprivation, particularly those with a higher-than-national average of pupils eligible for free school meals. Priority is given to children on free school meals and those identified as most at risk of physical inactivity. This partnership is helping us grow our reach, ensuring that more children regardless of background, postcode or circumstance can access and experience the life-changing benefits of athletics.

At the heart of this delivery is funetics. a programme designed to develop fundamental skills. From run, jump, throw to something even more powerful: smile, these sessions are about more than just physical activity. They’re about building confidence, developing connections and creating opportunities where they’re needed most

From run, jump, throw, to something even more powerful: smile, these sessions are about more than just movement. They’re about building confidence, developing connections, and creating opportunities where they’re needed most.

Working collaboratively with local delivery partners

Community partners are at the heart of the areas they serve and understand the specific challenges facing local children. By taking a place-based approach and working with local trusted delivery partners we can be confident that our programmes are flexible, responsive, and designed to meet the unique needs of each individual community.

This term, delivery has begun in Coventry and Ellesmere Port, with Rugby set to follow. In Coventry, CV Life is supporting our first schools in the Willenhall area. CV Life represents the partnership between Coventry Sports Foundation (CSF) and Culture Coventry Trust (CCT), providing opportunities to improve the experience of sport, culture and leisure within the city. In Ellesmere Port, Vara Sports is delivering after-school sessions in a number of schools, creating safe, supportive, and inspiring environments where children thrive through sport, creativity, learning, and wellbeing.

Amy Murtagh, Programme Manager, Personal Best Foundation said:

"We’re really excited to get started with delivery this term. Over the course of the next academic year, this funded partnership will introduce over 700 children to athletics-based activities giving them access to a free eight-week after-school programme. Alongside this, we will be training teachers to ensure that this provision can be sustained within the school environment, giving children the opportunity to continue developing their skills long after the sessions end."

Because every child deserves to discover their own personal best on and off the track, through the power of athletics.