New Age Groups Information

As we approach the 2012 Indoor Track & Field Season, we are aware that the “Pilot” programme changing the age groups for Track and Field championships will throw up many questions for the athletes, coaches and parents involved.

For more information related to heights / weights / distances, please refer to the attached document at the foot of this page. Please note the age groups in the attached document are from last years outdoor 2011 season.

The new age groups for the indoor 2012 season are as follows:

Age Groups/Qualification
Under 12:Born Between 1 Jan 2001 – 31 Dec 2002
Under 14:Born between 1 Jan 1999 – 31 Dec 2000
Under 16:Born between 1 Jan 1997 – 31 Dec 1998
Under 18:Born between 1 Jan 1995 – 31 Dec 1996
Under 20:Born between 1 Jan 1993 – 31 Dec 1994
Senior:Born before 1 Jan 1993

The “Pilot” programme commenced on 1st April 2011 and, whilst taking us away from age groups in England and Wales, brings us into line with most, if not all other countries world-wide.

The rationale
It has been very apparent through the Strategy Review process, feedback from clubs, and direct observation of participation numbers at events, that underpinning our future health as a sport, we must engage and retain more young people in our sport – making “a sport for life” happen for more people.

One factor that is perceived as a barrier is the U17 – U20 jump, and the double years at younger age groups. By changing the age group to U18, we reduce that gap at an age when we lose many athletes. Success and feeling that you are competitive is a key factor in motivation – especially when in formative years.

Similarly, we plan to recognise all “year groups” at National Championships – major medals at U16, U18 etc, but recognition also of the leading U15, and U17 athletes.

On one level the change may seem a small one, but we hope and expect that this can be a catalyst that has a much greater impact.

When combined with the changes to the competitive season – a more progressive structure through the season, with our National Championships having meaning in terms of selection to represent Scotland (eg Celtic Games following the Age Group Championships), and the many other priorities in the strategy (eg support and priority to our clubs and the challenges they face) – the age group changes are significant, but not the be-all and end all.

Specific questions have been asked about some events and how they relate to the Celtic Games events. We will ensure that events at our Age Group Championships reflect absolutely those that follow on at the Celtic Games. We are using that event as a selection meet, so this is essential.

There will no club training on Tuesday 14th Feb 2011, due to school holidays and some romantic festival, involving red roses and dining out!!  Back to "normal"  21st Feb.

So, instead of club training, why not celebrate Valentines Day with a run in the woods.

SSAA Secondary Schools Indoor Track and Field Championships

We wish Joanna Macdonald and Luke Shaw the best of luck today as they take part in the indoor championships at The Kelvin Hall Glasgow today.

Go For It!

Congratulations Alison Cameron, Luke Shaw and RCAC, for their achievements at this years Sorts Council awards.  Below is the RSJ write-up.

Sporting heroes take their bows

SPORTING heroes from across Ross-shire took a bow at an annual ceremony which beat the weather this time around.

Ross and Cromarty Sports Council held an open meeting on January 19 in the British Legion, Dingwall, at which the presentation of its annual sports awards also took place.

The event had been postponed from December 8 due to bad weather.

Another cold and snowy night saw club representatives gather to hear a presentation by the sportscotland regional coaching and volunteer development manager, Jan Stander.

Jan outlined both his role and the objectives of sportscotland for the next few years, including development pathways, support for elite athletes and funding opportunities for coaches and volunteers.

He highlighted the need to bring tutors to local areas to allow more coaches to benefit from training. As his area includes Grampian, the Western Isles and both Shetland and Orkney, he is very aware of the limitations imposed on development by the obstacle of distance. His presentation was well received, and he duly answered the many questions asked by the members who were present.

Following his talk, Jan presented the annual Ross and Cromarty Sports Council Achievement Awards. Joan Maxwell, vice-chair, and Jenny MacLennan, Sports Council secretary, then took it in turn to read out the nominations for each of the awards.

• Breagha Hayes won the honours as junior athlete for her efforts in the sport of endurance riding. At just 13 she represented Scotland in a gruelling event in the Welsh mountains, horses and riders having to cope with extreme heat and dehydration. Her club (Scottish Endurance Riding, Highland branch) were also nominated for Club of the Year.

• Milton and District Bowling Club took the Club of the Year trophy in recognition of their many achievements, including bringing home the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils (SALSC) Men’s 50+ Bowling Trophy to Ross-shire for the first time in 21 years, having won the competition as representatives of RCSC.

• Club president Ina MacDougall rounded off their success on the night with the runner-up Administrator prize. Bill Gilmour from Invergordon Bowling Club took the honours in that category, his club nominating him for his dedication and contribution to the club since joining in 1977.

• Ross County Athletics Club’s triumphs included Alison Cameron winning the Endeavour Award for all her considerable work for the club, including organising last year’s annual Puffin Pool fun run. They were also nominated in two other categories: young athlete (Luke Shaw) and club of the year.

• Possible future Olympian rower, Alan Sinclair from Belmaduthy – a member of Inverness Rowing Club – took the award as Senior Athlete.

• Siannon Raeside of Fyrish Gymnastic Club was runner-up junior athlete, while her club coach, Emma Burns, was second to Rob Parkes, Ross Sutherland Rugby Football Club, as Coach of the Year. The committee recognised Rob’s outstanding achievements in player motivation and retention, as did Jan Stander, who commented on the high quality of the coaching nominees.

The next meeting of the Sports Council will take place on Thursday, March 22 in the Highland Football Academy, Dingwall.

And the winner is....

THE NOMINEES and winners were as follows:

Administrator/Volunteer — 1 Bill Gilmour, Invergordon Bowling Club; 2 Ina MacDougall, Milton and District Bowling Club.

Coach — 1 Rob Parkes, Ross Sutherland Rugby Club; 2 David Murray, Lochcarron Sailing Club and Emma Burns, Fyrish Gymnastic Club.

Endeavour Award — 1 Alison Cameron, Ross County Athletics Club; 2 Gavin Mackenzie, ASC Invergordon Academy and Primary Cluster.

Active Participant (Junior Athlete) — 1 Breagha Hayes, Scottish Endurance Riding Club; 2 Siannon Raeside, Fyrish Gymnastic Club; 3 Luke Shaw, Ross County Athletics Club; 4 Jack Grant, Highland Budokan Judo Club.

Active Participant (Adult athlete) — Alan Sinclair, Inverness Rowing Club.

Club of the Year — 1 Milton and District Bowling Club; 2 Ross County Athletics Club; 3 Scottish Endurance Riding Club.

Thank-you to everyone who was involved, in whatever and every capacity, at yesterdays hosting of the cross-country races.  We had at least 251 runners, plus coaches, parents etc, nice one.

All of your hard-work and commitment was evident in every aspect of the day.  The course was brilliantly prepared, marshalled, started and recorded, the catering cordon-bleu and plentiful, the racing a delight to see, especially so many new faces and the atmosphere first class.  Every comment that I heard was positive and congratulatory.

For a wee club, we punched way above our weight and have been rewarded with nothing but praise, from all quarters.  Now that we know we can do it, supremely, I hope we can do more of the same, next season.

Results are on the X-Country page and images (thanks to Alison and Miranda) are in the Photo Album.