Athletics Competitions
YOAC offers its members a variety of competition in leagues against other clubs throughout the year as well as running three home open meetings each year. Further to this there are competitions at district and county level where there are no minimum standards to achieve to be eligible to compete. There are also open meetings at other local clubs, such as Exeter and Mendip, during the year. Most competitions are listed on the fixtures page and there is also an indoor fixtures page at Indoor Fixtures. In addition, YOAC athletes of all ages compete with the Wells City Harriers Cross Country teams in the Gwent Leagues and Wessex Leagues and there is further information on Cross Country later on this page.
Representing Your Club
We would love as many athletes as possible, at all ages, to represent the club in league fixtures, either as a points-scoring athlete or as a guest competitor. We have a great tradition of success in league competitions across all age groups, from U13s as part of the South West League team up to the top level National Athletics League Team, and are keen to maintain high participation levels. Success often comes not just from good performances but often from filling all the events in each league programme. There is a great deal of satisfaction in representing your club, being part of a team and having the opportunity to improve your performances in your main events and also try new ones. We aim to organise free minibus or coach transport to away track and field and cross country matches for athletes and (subject to space) for parents and other supporters. Athletes may of course travel independently if they wish. Below are the club competitions that YOAC will take part in during 2022.
South West League
This is for all ages from U13 girls and U13 boys up to senior athletes. There are 4 league fixtures a year and there are many competition opportunities as guests are allowed in this league (e.g. up to 4 U13s can compete in each event). It is a well attended, fun and competitive league between the main clubs in the south west region.
National Athletics League
This league was created in 2020 and represents the top level of UK Team Athletics. It has been created by the amalgamation of the Mens British Athletics League and the UK Womens League. We are pleased and proud to be part of this league and look forward to providing a good level of competition.
Jacquie Silcox
National Athletics League U17, U20, Seniors
07429 002717
Paul Guest
National Athletics League U17, U20, Seniors
07850 242148
Geoff Cole
South West League - Men, U20 Men
07764 461641
Chris Huntley
South West League - Women,
U17 Women
Kelly Sanford
South West League Under 17 Men
Claire Slight
Under 15 Boys
Amy Joynes
Under 15 Girls
Larry Tulett
Under 13 Girls and Under 13 Boys
Annette Weale
Junior Cross Country
01935 862219
Open Meetings, Combined Events And County Competitions
At Yeovil we run the Spring Open in April, The Bill Whistlecroft Memorial Hurdles and Steeplechase Festival, also in April and the Yeovil Games in September. These are great opportunities for new and experienced athletes to hone their event or try new ones for the first time. We also run Quad Kids U11 events in our open meetings. There are usually also open meetings at Exeter (last Tuesday evening of each month) and Mendip (usually the third Thursday evening of the month) during the summer where U11s and U13s can compete.
The Somerset AA County Championships, over two days, offers all events to all ages and abilities. There is no restriction and no minimum standard to achieve in order to be able to compete. Highly placed athletes in each event may go on to represent their county at the South West Championships. More information is available on the Somerset AA website www.somerset-athletics.co.uk/ . Somerset AA are also involved in the South West Inter Counties Event, usually held in July or August.
In parallel with all of the above are 'Schools Competitions' beginning with local district level meetings, representing your school or college, and going on to county schools, south-west schools, and ultimately, if selected, English Schools. This also applies to combined events. Somerset Schools have a good website - www.somersetschoolsathletics.org.uk/
There is also a Somerset Combined Events Championships, usually at the end of April, which is a tremendous event and offers a fun multi-event experience for all ages. There are subsequent South West and National championships in multi-events for those who are selected.
Cross Country (XC)
YOAC athletes of all ages from U11 to veterans compete with the Wells City Harriers Cross Country teams in the Gwent League and the Wessex League.There is no team selection for xc so everyone is welcome. Everyone who comes to cross country training will be given a list of xc events at the beginning of the season. There are races for under 11’s through to seniors.
There are school cross country races for primary schools, year 3/4 and year 5/6, throughout the winter. At the end of the season after the area race, the best 15 athletes are chosen to represent Yeovil area against Mendip area and Taunton area.
Wessex League website is at www.teamdorsetathletics.btck.co.uk/competition/wessexleague-crosscountry
The secondary schools start their area races in December or January. The top 15 in the area schools ‘ race are selected for the county championships and then the top 10 go forward to represent their county in the south west championships. Eight runners are then selected for their county to run in the English Schools Championships.
Many of our athletes also compete in the Somerset or the Dorset County Championships (depending on where they live) and the South-West England Championships (usually in early December and early January respectively). There are South of England and National races later in the winter. Entry to all these races is open to all, of whatever standard.
Gwent League website is at www.gwent-league.org.uk/