Every elite athlete starts somewhere. Before the medals, before the records, before the moments that define a career, there is a decision, made young, to commit. The Isle of Man Sport Aid Academy exists to meet young athletes at exactly that moment, and its doors are now open for the next generation.

Applications are now being accepted for the Academy's 2026-2028 cohort, with the programme set to begin in September 2026. Sponsored by Suntera Global and Newfield, the Academy offers promising young Island athletes a structured, expert-led development environment designed not just to improve performance, but to build the kind of athlete who can sustain success over a lifetime.

This intake is open to students entering Year 10 in September 2026 who will be aged 14 before 1st September 2026. Those selected will attend weekly sessions on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the 2026/27 academic year, giving them consistent, high-quality exposure to coaching, workshops, and performance education alongside their regular school commitments.

What makes the Academy distinctive is what it is not looking for. Recent results alone will not secure a place. The selectors are looking deeper, seeking young people who already demonstrate the behaviours that separate good athletes from great ones. Consistent attendance and commitment, a genuine willingness to be coached and to grow, the maturity to communicate well and respond positively to feedback, healthy routines that balance school and sport, and the attitude to contribute positively within a team environment. These are the qualities the programme is built to develop and reward.

For a young Island runner or track athlete, acceptance into the Academy means access to expert support and educational workshops that most young athletes simply do not encounter until much later in their careers. The foundations laid here can shape not only sporting outcomes but habits and mindsets that last far beyond the finish line.

Parents and guardians of eligible athletes are encouraged to apply before the closing date of 30th June 2026. Submitting an application does not guarantee a place, and all applications will be reviewed by Isle of Man Sport through a formal selection process.

Full details and the Academy overview are available at the Isle of Man Sport Aid website. The application form can be found via the direct link on the Isle of Man Athletics Association website.

The next chapter of Island sport starts here. Make sure your young athlete does not miss it.