UK Athletics has officially unveiled the Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland (GB&NI) team for the upcoming U23 European Championships, set to take place in Bergen, Norway, from 17–20 July 2025.
A 44-strong squad has been selected, reflecting a blend of emerging talent and promising athletes with valuable senior international experience.
The Championships, a key development event on the European calendar, will see GB&NI athletes aiming to secure a top-five overall placing, a goal in line with the federation’s selection policy and long-term athlete progression plans.
Rising Stars Ready to Shine
Among the selected athletes are several who have already made their mark on the senior stage. Sprinters Jeriel Quainoo, Kissiwaa Mensah, Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, and Success Eduan, fresh from medal-winning performances at the World Relays in China, will be eager to add continental honours to their growing résumés.
Wedderburn-Goodison, alongside Faith Akinbileje, headlines the women’s 100m line-up, both ranked among the UK’s fastest this season.
In the women’s 1500m, Ava Lloyd and Mena Scatchard enter the Championships ranked second and third in Europe respectively, while on the men’s side, Justin Davies leads a strong 800m trio after clocking a personal best of 1:44.35, a time that meets the World standard. He’ll be joined by Henry Jonas and David Race in what promises to be a fiercely contested middle-distance event.
Field Event Prospects
In the field events, pole vaulter Gemma Tutton arrives as Europe’s number one, having recently debuted for the senior team at the European Team Championships. High jumper Kimani Jack, who soared to a personal best of 2.21m on his senior debut in Madrid, will be another to watch in Norway.
Meanwhile, discus thrower Zara Obamakinwa and 800m runner Abigail Ives, both of whom impressed on their senior debuts in Madrid, are poised to build on their early season form.
The multi-events contingent features Abi Pawlett in the women’s heptathlon and Sammy Ball in the men’s decathlon. Both athletes gained invaluable experience earlier this year at the prestigious Götzis Hypomeeting, with Ball delivering a career-best performance and earning the event’s Rookie of the Year accolade.
Strategic Selection and Scheduling
Athletes were given the option to declare their availability for these Championships, with several opting instead to focus on other high-profile competitions, including the Novuna London Diamond League on 19th July.
This flexibility reflects the busy summer schedule and strategic athlete management ahead of major global championships.
UK Athletics also extended appreciation to Welsh Athletics for successfully hosting the U23 Trials alongside the Welsh National Championships in Cardiff on 28–29 June, which provided a vital platform for team selection.
The Selected Novuna GB&NI U23 Team
Women’s Highlights:
- 100m: Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, Faith Akinbileje
- 200m: Success Eduan, Alyson Bell, Kissiwaa Mensah
- 400m: Yemi Mary John, Poppy Malik, Rebecca Grieve
- 800m: Abbie Ives
- 1500m: Ava Lloyd, Mena Scatchard
- Pole Vault: Gemma Tutton
- Discus: Zara Obamakinwa
- Heptathlon: Abi Pawlett
Men’s Highlights:
- 100m: Micheal Onilogbo
- 200m: Jeriel Quainoo
- 400m: Brodie Young
- 800m: Justin Davies, Henry Jonas, David Race
- 5000m: Will Barnicoat, Ed Bird
- High Jump: Kimani Jack
- Decathlon: Sammy Ball
