General Information
Junior Ilkley Harriers, established 2003
Ilkley Sportshall Athletics was set up in September 2002 by a number of volunteer coaches who were all runners with Ilkley Harriers. It was obvious from the start that Sportshall Athletics alone was not enough. Their talent, enthusiasm and motivation was crying out for a local Junior Athletics club that could cater for their demands so......
Junior Ilkley Harriers (JIH) was established on 1st September 2003 as a multi-disciplined club catering for children between the ages of 8 - 16 years from those who take part for fun & fitness to those who are incredibly competitive and wish to race. Over the last decade we have had boys and girls competing in Fell races at both local and Championship level; the highly competitive West Yorkshire Cross-Country series, PECO Cross-Country Challenge series, Yorkshire, Northern and National X-C Championships, children attending U11, U13 and U15 West Yorkshire Sportshall Athletics trials and in 2008 we made our first appearance in Track & Field Athletics.
At JIH we follow the theory of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and we will endeavour to allow each individual child to reach their potential in athletics. The LTAD model was designed to help those athletes with aspirations to succeed at an elite level, but is equally valid for those who want a lifelong, healthy participation in sport. It takes ten years or ten thousand hours of practice to become an expert performer in any sport and at Ilkley Harriers we see ourselves as a part of that process. We will not encourage over-competition at an early age where it is more important to learn the skills of sport and movement. And we will only enter our athletes into competitions appropriate to their level of development. We also believe that every athlete should enjoy their participation in athletics. If it's not fun it's not worth doing.
Children who join JIH can join in all the training and coaching that we offer (subject to availability of places for Sportshall sessions) and will be able to compete in the distinctive red and green running vest of Ilkley (from Dobson & Robinson on the Grove in Ilkley and the Complete Runner, Leeds Road, Ilkley) and under the club name at races, as well as enjoying the benefits like structured training. Both juniors and their parents should read and be familiar with the junior policies and codes of conduct which they will be asked to sign up to on the junior membership form.
At 15 years juniors are eligible to join in with some senior training sessions and at 16 years can join the senior club based at the Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club.
As from March 2007 Juniors Ilkley Harriers who compete regularly have been presented with colours at the end of each season - these are embroidered cloth badges (certificates are presented for half colours).
All our coaches and helpers are
If you wish to find out more about JIH contact Neil Chapman or Shirley Wood ( Shirley@ilkleyharriers.org.uk). And if you'd like to join us you can download a membership form and return it with £3 annual membership fee (cheque payable 'Ilkley Sportshall Athletics') to Neil, Shirley, Ros or Malcolm at any of our coaching sessions.
