In 1978, a year 8 student at Stratford upon Avon High School ran the 200m in a time that stood for nearly five decades. This summer, Fynn Allen ran it faster. 

Fynn competes in athletics multi-events Pentathlon. Five disciplines, one day, one total score, and plays rugby throughout the winter. Both sports are physically demanding in very different ways. Both require a level of commitment that would stretch most adults, let alone a 13-year-old balancing all of it alongside school.

His dad played professional ice hockey across the world. His uncle played professional rugby in the UK. The environment Fynn has grown up in is one familiar with the demands that come with competing at the highest level.

Results That Are Already Turning Heads

The 200m record was just one moment in what has been a breakthrough season. At Ormskirk, Fynn opened his multi-event campaign with 2047 points, placing him among the leading U14 Men Pentathlon scores in the UK. Competing for Warwickshire at the ESAA Midland Region U15 Combined Events, he finished 5th overall as an individual against other Year 8 and older Year 9 competitors.

More significantly, his team secured Gold; earning qualification for the English Schools' Athletic Association National Combined Events Championships in Bedford on 19th September 2026. That is the moment he has been building towards all season.

"My biggest goal for this season is to medal at the English Schools National Combined Events Championship," Fynn says.

And beyond this season? "For the next few years to keep practising, working very hard for one day to compete at an Olympic trials and make the Olympic Team."

A Training Week That Would Challenge Most Adults

To understand what Fynn is asking of his body, it helps to see what his week actually looks like.

Monday: 60-minute workout and stretching.

Tuesday: Athletics training, hurdles and blocks practice followed by another workout.

Wednesday: May-August Two hours of rugby training covering fitness, tackling and strategic practice, with a workout and stretching afterwards. September, Fynn will start Pole Vault training in preparation for the Octathlon competition (8 events) starting early 2027.

Thursday: 45/60 mins of High jump and a sprint session, 1.5 hours of Rugby training followed by a light workout and stretching.

Friday: Rest day from structured training, which still includes a light workout and stretching.

Saturday: Two workouts throughout the day alongside school homework.

Sunday: Competition, a rugby match, or an additional athletics session to work on weaknesses.

Pentathlon competitions are full days with five events. When rugby season is running, weekend matches are added on top.

The Real Challenge: Fuelling It All

For Fynn's dad, Chris, the training schedule is only half the challenge. The other half is nutrition specifically, how to keep a growing and hungry, hard-training 13-year-old properly fuelled across a day that leaves very little room for error.

"6.30am wake up, breakfast, showers, small workout, and off to school. Fynn will have snacks twice throughout the day plus a good size lunch. School finishes 3.15pm, every weekday Fynn will have a sport or gym session after school from 3.30-4.30pm followed by either athletics training and/or rugby training from 5.30pm-8pm."

The worry, Chris explains, was straightforward: "Filling his tank with enough food and the right food to compete at the level. Maintaining his energy level for a long day of competitions or a rugby game."

Fynn himself describes his nutrition before YSN as generally good but with a gap: "I eat very well and often but was missing a recovery shake for after athletic training or competitions."

How Youth Sport Nutrition Fits In?

The products Fynn now uses most are the NUTRI-TEEN Vanilla Shake and the Multivitamin and Omega-3 Gummy Bears, both taken after workouts or training sessions. "I'm now powered by the YSN nutri-teen shake, vanilla flavour, which I love," he says.

For Chris, the difference is practical: "A huge help with the small gaps between school, gym sessions/training and dinner. Getting the right nutrition for those pre or post training sessions."

Advice From a Sports Parent Who Has Figured It Out

Chris's message to other parents navigating youth sport nutrition is one worth reading slowly:

"Supporting a young athlete's nutrition doesn't have to be overwhelming. Start with the basics balanced meals, plenty of hydration, and fuelling them properly pre/post training. Good nutrition isn't just about improving performance; it's about helping children grow, recover well, and enjoy their sport."

He adds: "I'd also recommend looking for trusted, evidence-based advice rather than following every trend on social media. That's one of the reasons we value YSN. They help make sports nutrition easier to understand for young athletes and families, providing practical guidance and products that support healthy performance in the right way."

Bedford, and Beyond

On 19th September, Fynn heads to Bedford for the ESAA National Combined Events Championships the target he has been working towards all season. After that, his goals are long-term. Oh and if you happen to meet him and need a distraction between events: "I can solve any Rubik's cube in approx 30-40 seconds."

Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general information about nutrition for youth athletes and is not meant to replace professional dietary advice or individual nutritional counselling. Every child's nutritional needs can vary due to factors such as age, size, physical activity level, and medical conditions. We strongly recommend consulting with a registered dietitian or a healthcare provider before making changes to your child's diet, such as adding food powders. YSN and the authors of this article do not take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, dietary modification, action, or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this article.