Sportshall Athletics
Junior Ilkley Harriers, established 2003
Sportshall Athletics is suitable for children up to 15 years with
the emphasis on fun, enjoyment, participation and giving one's best for
the good of the team. Colourful, safe equipment specially designed for children
is used and almost all athletic activities are catered for. All round ability
is encouraged and specialisation is avoided. There are award schemes which
allow an effective first step into the world of traditional track and field
athletics. For more information on sportshall athletics visit their website
on www.sportshall.org.
Ilkley Sportshall Athletics was set up by Neil Chapman and Shirley Wood in September 2002. Since then the number of participants and sessions organised has increased - we currently have 160 children doing Sportshall Athletics with us every week. All children do a Shine Award scheme and medals and certificates are awarded at the final session of the Spring Term when parents are invited along to our presentation evenings.
Our Thursday sessions follow the Level 2 Agility Challenge Decathlon Award. Every child is capable of achieving a level, but to gain the gold level they must be an all round talented athlete. In 2010 we presented 84 awards and 10 were gold.
Our Monday sessions follow the Level 3 Sportshall Athletics Heptathlon Award for 11 to 15 year olds - In 2010 we presented 76 awards, 8 were gold. Our new Wednesday session will also follow this award scheme in 2010/2011.
We encourage children who are old enough to take part in the local West Yorkshire Sportshall Athletics team 'trials'at U11, U13 and U15 levels. We have had success every year in these Sportshall trials with children being selected to compete for the regional Sportshall Athletics teams.
Trials dates 2010/2011 are: U11's, Sunday 9th January 2011, Richard Dunn & Sunday 30th January 2011, Halifax (Yorkshire Champs). U13/U15 West Yorkshire Trials on Sunday 13th February 2011, Richard Dunn Centre. Yorkshire Champs on Sunday 6th March at Halifax. National sportshall final tbc.
In addition there are a number of BAN (Bradford Athletics Network) low level competitions for Years 3 to 10 to encourage newcomers to compete. These are on Saturday 23rd October 2010, Saturday 4th December 2010 and Saturday 26th March 2011.