By Gabriel Princewill-
In the east of London, an athletics club with a bold mission is steadily gaining attention for developing young talent and delivering standout performances at regional and national competitions.
Be Fit Today Track Academy (BFTTA), based at Jim Peters Stadium in Barking with satellite sessions at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, has emerged as a vibrant hub for developing athletes from early childhood through to adult competition.
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After four of its athletes took the first four spots in the Southern England championships in Janaury, the demand for this club which is just ten years old this year. Honor Otteng’s record in the championships in both the 60 metres and 200 metres race turned heads, after it became clear that the other three athletes behind her were all form the same club.
With a philosophy rooted in community and performance, the club has racked up individual and team achievements that reflect both athletic excellence and a deeper commitment to building confidence and resilience among its members.
Founded by world‑class athlete TJ Ossai-(PICTURED) a multiple‑medal winning sprinter and fitness advocate and personal trainer- Be Fit Today focuses on helping every member reach their full potential. The club’s mission is simple but ambitious: to harness natural ability and pair it with expert coaching to create athletes capable of competing at high levels while instilling lifelong skills.
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Be Fit Today’s presence in competitive athletics has grown noticeably in recent years, with athletes representing the club across a variety of events from open meets to championships with national recognition. Discipline and consistency in the training and healthy living standards of young athletes is one of the major themes advanced by the notable club to ensure the optimisation of these youngsters.
An early example of the club’s competitive engagement came in 2018, when young BFTTA athletes competed in the Minithon and fielded 20 participants across disciplines including long jump, javelin, shot put, sprints and middle‑distance runs.
Among them, 11‑year‑old Peter Ogbonwan enthralled onlookers by winning the 200m in 25.79 seconds a performance that was noted as among the fastest indoor times in the UK that year for his age group. More recently, senior athletes linked to Be Fit Today have made impressive strides on the domestic scene.
Sprinter John Otugade has posted consistent personal bests throughout the 2025 season, clocking times such as 10.24 seconds in the 100m at a club event in Lee Valley and following up with a strong 10.23‑second performance for second place at the Stratford Speed Festival. His competitive results, including a 10.25‑second victory at the club’s open meeting in Dagenham in July, underscore the club’s commitment to performance at a high level.
Be Fit Today has also provided opportunities for athletes to compete under its banner in publicly sanctioned meets. For instance, youth athletes from the club were entered in UK Athletics events, joining peers from other prominent clubs on the national competitive calendar. These entries demonstrate the academy’s growing integration into mainstream athletics pathways. One of the most eye‑catching recognitions of BFTTA’s growing competitive edge comes from its contribution to English team representation.
At the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games held in Trinidad and Tobago, Teddy Wilson, coached through the club structure, was selected as one of Team England’s athletics captains and ran strongly in the 100m, advancing to the finals and contributing to Team England’s overall performance.
The honour of captaincy and on‑track performance highlighted the calibre of athlete that Be Fit Today is nurturing at the youth level.
Other notable accomplishments in past tournaments include Michelle Thompson who finished second at the South of England Championships and ranked number 1 in the under 13 age group last year. Having moved up to the under 15 bracket this season, she is currently ranked in the p 10- an impressive achievement in her first year at the age group.
There is also Adaobi Ogbunude who won Bronze at the English Schools Championships last year in her very first year of the sport, highlighting her strong potential for future success. Nia Marshall, who finished fourth in those championships, also began athletics only last year. She has already shown clear promise, narrowly missing out of a medal last year at The South Of England Championships. All four girls will be competing in the under 15 age group at the National Championships in Sheffield on 7-8 February.
These accomplishments from young competitors winning age‑group races to senior athletes posting elite times reflect both the individual dedication of the athletes and the supportive infrastructure provided by the club.
Developing Talent
At the heart of Be Fit Today’s success is its coaching philosophy and community focus. The club serves athletes from as young as six years old through to adults, with a team of qualified, DBS‑checked coaches guiding training at multiple venues.
These sessions are designed to develop core athletic skills running, jumping, throwing and pacing as well as mental confidence and competitive readiness.
Head coach. TJ Ossai, a respected figure in athletics has been instrumental in shaping the club’s ethos. His belief that “every young person has the ability inside to excel in a sport” drives the club’s outreach into schools and community programmes, encouraging participation irrespective of background or prior experience. This emphasis on skill development has helped members achieve personal bests and podium finishes at a range of local and regional competitions’.
Head Coach: tj Ossai has taken club to remarkable heights in 10 years
Younger athletes who made their competitive debuts at events like the Minithon have gone on to compete in structured indoor and outdoor meets, demonstrating the club’s role as a stepping stone from grassroots athletics to higher‑level competition. What exactly has made this club ascend to enviable heights in such a short time in its existence?
Ossai explains: ”I’m not going to give away all our secrets, but we instil focus, discipline, and healthy living in all our athletes. Athletes are raised in a very conducive environment for aspirational individuals. Our athletes don’t hop from club to club, we harness their talent carefully and methodically. The children are inspired by the success of other athletes.
In addition to regular training, Be Fit Today hosts its own series of open events, such as the BFTTA Indoor Open Meetingat Lee Valley Athletics Centre, which includes races ranging from 60m sprints to 800m and field events. These events serve as both competitive outlets and community showcases, bringing together athletes of varying ages and abilities to celebrate performance and participation in athletics.
The club’s philosophy also embraces inclusivity and long‑term development. Rather than focusing solely on elite success, coaches aim to instil a winning mindset for life emphasising discipline, teamwork, resilience and personal growth alongside athletic achievement. This ethos resonates with parents and young athletes who see the club as a space for holistic development.
Members also benefit from the club’s partnerships with major athletics facilities, such as Lee Valley Athletics Centre, which provides world‑class training environments and access to competition infrastructure. These partnerships reinforce Be Fit Today’s commitment to offering high‑quality training experiences that rival those of more established clubs.
With a track record of success at both grassroots and competitive levels, Be Fit Today is poised for further growth in the coming years. The club’s development framework combining community outreach, technical coaching, and competitive opportunities positions it well to nurture the next generation of athletes who may go on to county, national or even international competition.
Yet challenges remain. Sustaining funding for training programmes, expanding access to competitive meets, and continuing to attract experienced coaching staff are ongoing priorities for the organisation. While athletics evolves in the UK and competition intensifies, clubs like BFTTA will need to adapt creatively to support their athletes both on and off the track.
Still, the results so far give cause for optimism. From early competition successes in youth events to national representation and personal best performances by senior athletes, Be Fit Today has demonstrated that a community‑oriented athletics club can produce standout achievers while fostering personal growth in its members.
Whether through record‑breaking sprints, leadership roles in international youth competitions, or simply helping young athletes experience the thrill of competition for the first time, Be Fit Today Track Academy continues to build a reputation as a club where potential isn’t just recognised it’s realised.
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