# Welsh Athletics CEO - James Williams | Evolution of Athletics |Beyond the Track Podcast| Episode 36

Free with YouTube's ads, posted by Welsh Athletics.

In this episode of Beyond The Track, we’re joined by James Williams, CEO of Welsh Athletics, for an insightful conversation about the present and future of athletics in Wales.

James takes us behind the scenes of the sport’s development, reflecting on how athletics has evolved over the years and the key challenges that still need to be addressed for it to continue growing. From participation trends to the structures that support elite performance, he shares a candid perspective on what it takes to move the sport forward.

We also dive into the importance of grassroots athletics, the role clubs and communities play in nurturing the next generation, and how collaboration with other National Governing Bodies (NGBs) can help strengthen the wider sporting landscape.

Packed with honest insights, leadership perspective, and a real passion for the sport, this episode explores the barriers, opportunities, and big ideas shaping the future of athletics in Wales - and why the journey beyond the track matters more than ever.

- What it is: Full episode
- Series: [Full episodes from Welsh Athletics](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/library/rights-holders/series/e8b8fdb3f1ed)
- Previous episode: [Ponty Roadents Club of the Year ft. Jake Smith & Paul Graham |Beyond the Track Podcast |Episode 26](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/rights-holders/iV-BEIpFkj8)
- Length: 1 h 6 min
- Rights holder: [Welsh Athletics Ltd](https://www.welshathletics.org/) (its site links the channel: https://www.welshathletics.org/)
- Channel: [Welsh Athletics](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_zJWJFegVHKygEgb2gt4A)
- Plays: Wherever YouTube plays: its rights holder sets no limit
- Who can watch here: Adult profiles and older (no rating is recorded on YouTube, so adults only)
- Made for kids: No, as YouTube designates it
- On YouTube: [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDyLQOa-JS8)

It plays in YouTube's embedded player on its page here, loaded only when Play is pressed; YouTube's Terms of Service (https://www.youtube.com/t/terms) and Google's Privacy Policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy) apply to it.