History of the National Junior Athletic League

 

The National Junior Athletic League was founded in 1989 with 16 men and 8 women’s teams contesting the inaugural match at Haringey on the 1st May.

The aim of the League was to provide athletics competition for the under 20 age group, under 17’s are allowed to compete within the older age group. This then provided the necessary bridge from young athlete to senior.

 

In the Leagues first season, male and female athletes competed in three fixtures, and due to the amount of interest created within the athletics circle this encouraged many more clubs to apply for membership. This then quickly resulted in the formation of a National Division One and Regional Divisions.

 

Over the years that followed, and with the increase in membership of the League it was found that restructuring was going to have to take place.

It was also noted that within the National Division the athletes were having to travel some long distances to the venues and this was having a detrimental

effect on their performances and in some cases affecting the athletes health.

 

It was from here that a decision was made to divide the countrywide

competition into the Northern and Southern Regions which would then be

sub-divided into area divisions, each would then support their own Regional Premier Division for both male and female athletes.

 

Club teams that finished in top place in the Regional Divisions were invited to a promotion match, and the teams finishing in first and second would gain promotion to their Premier Division for the following season.

Teams finishing in the bottom two positions in the Premier Divisions were then relegated to their nearest regional division.

 

During the same period, club teams in the two Premier Divisions would be

involved in their own competition. The top four men and women’s teams from each Premier Division, after the four annual fixtures, would meet in the

National Junior Athletic League’s Grand Final to compete for the title of

National Junior Athletic League Champions.

 

To win this title also meant that the successful teams would then represent the United Kingdom in the European Junior Club Cup Competition the following season.

 

Again due to the Leagues popularity and by the endeavours of the Management Committee to reduce travel for the member clubs it is time to restructure the League.

2006 saw major changes to the structure of the League.

The country was divided into three, with the introduction of a Midland Region which consists of a Premier Division and three sub-divisions.

 

The League also introduced joint scoring, whereby clubs compete as a club and not as two separate teams. Clubs with only single sex athletes will still be allowed to compete within the regional divisions but will not be eligible for promotion.

 

The 2006 season saw some 100 plus clubs enjoying this new innovation in the under 20 track and field athletics, and we are convinced that this is the way forward for our sport.

 

The National Junior Athletic League continues to encourage Junior age group

athletes to remain in the sport. We invite non-member clubs who have a

limited number of Junior members to join with other non-member clubs to form a composite club and compete in their own right or to compete as a

second claim member of a club already within the League membership.

 

This League is proud of its achievements in track and field athletics and is looking forward to an exciting future with the opportunity of making a vital contribution to the future of the sport.

 

 

 

Annual Subscriptions

A reminder to all clubs who have not sent in their annual subscriptions, they are due now

 

Emily Freeman weds Philip Cantrell

The League is pleased to announce the wedding of

GB’s Olympic 200m & relay athlete Emily Freeman, to Philip Cantrell.

Emily and Phil tied the knot on Tuesday 29th December at the Devonshire Arms Country House, Bolton Abbey.

Emily has supported the league both as an athlete and a VIP at the National Finals on the presentation team.

Emily will continue with her maiden name on the athletics circuit.

 

Following this years AGM the dates for 2010 are

1. 25th April or 18th April (South)

2. 23rd May

3. 27th June

4. 25th July

The Regional Promotion  Finals will be held on 29th August with the National Finals on 12th September.

Venues will be circulated to member clubs as soon as possible.

 

Comment on the Leagues Performance

Email sent to League Secretary

“May I take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of all the members of Chichester Runners & AC for all the hard work you put in to keep the League vibrant and relevant to the needs of the athletes. We have once again really enjoyed our season and for us the NJAL has totally fulfilled its aim to provide an athlete centred transition from junior to senior athletics in a friendly and competitive environment”  PB.