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 168 juniors doing Sportshall Athletics with us every week. All children do an award scheme and medals and certificates are presented at the final session of the spring term when parents are invited along to our presentation evenings.
Thursday sessions follow the Aviva Level 2 Decathlon Award for 8-10 years. Every child is capable of achieving a level, but to gain gold they must be an all round talented athlete. In 2013 we presented 88 awards and 3 were gold.
Monday sessions follow the Level 3 Decathlon Award for 11-15 years. In 2013 we presented 80 awards, 15 were gold.
We encourage all juniors who are old enough to take part in the local West Yorkshire Sportshall Athletics '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 are: Sunday 13th January 2013 (U11) and Saturday 9th February 2013 (U13/U15), both at Richard Dunn, Bradford.