Competing

It is the philosophy and practice of the Lewes Athletic Club that young athletes when asked and when selected are expected to compete for the club. It is a requirement of continued club membership that over the course of a year young athletes compete at least three times and attend training regularly.

There are many opportunities for Academy members to compete (see below for upcoming fixtures). The younger members have an opportunity during the winter to compete in the Sussex Indoor Athletics League. Also during the winter months and early spring there are the opportunities to compete in Cross Country Leagues and Championships. Races are held for Under 11 Academy members as well as cross country races for those aged Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17.

During the summer athletics season there are further opportunities to compete in a number of Track and Field events and Leagues. These include Sussex based events enabling young athletes aged Under 13 and Under 15 to compete against others of their age from clubs across the South East. There are opportunities to compete in Sussex and regional competitions for those U17 and above.

The sports hall league provides competing opportunities for young athletes from the Academy to have their first taste of competition in a friendly and locally based league against other Sussex based clubs.

The club believes that competing is important as it helps young Academy members to develop their life and social skills by being part of a team and respecting others. It also enables them to think for themselves in preparing for the competition.

The club coaches have produced some notes to guide and help those that want to know more about competition and this can be accessed here – competition info for athletes.

If you are unsure as to which event or competition is right for you, please speak with the head coach of your training session.

https://www.sussexathletics.net/take-part/events-information/

2024/25 Cross Country Competition Fixture Dates

Date	Event and Location
Saturday 21st September	Aldershot Road Relays (Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot)
Saturday 28th September	Sussex X/C Relays [Goodwood]
Saturday 12th October	Sussex X/C League [1] [Goodwood]
Saturay 9th November	Sussex X/C League [2] [Glyndebourne]
Saturday 23rd November	Liverpool Cross Challenge
Saturday 30th November	Sussex X/C League [3] [Ardingly]
Saturday 7th December	South of England Athletics Association Inter Counties. Horspath, Oxford – invite only
Saturday 4th January	Sussex X/C Champs [Bexhill Downs]
Saturday 25th January	South of England X/C Champs [Beckenham Place Park]
Saturday 1st February	Schools South East Inter Counties
Saturday 8th February	Sussex X/c League [4] [Stanmer Park]
Saturday 22nd February	English National X/C Champs [ Parliament Hill ,London]
Saturday 8th March	Inter Counties [ Wollaton Park, Nottingham] – invite only
Saturday 15th March	English Schools X/C Champs [Ardingly] – invite only

2024/25 Sportshall Competitions

Sportshall is a fun indoor competition over the winter with track and field events. The age groups that can enter are U11 (Year 5 and 6), U13 (year 7 and 8) and U15 (year 9 and 10). You have to be under that age on the 31st August 2024. These are different to other athletic events!

The hall opens at 1.15pm The first field events are at 1.45pm and the first track events are at 2pm with the event finishing at about 5pm.

The charge for the event is £4 athlete and £2 spectators in CASH.

Please note that parents / guardians / carers are responsible for their children throughout the event.

The track events will be:-

Sprints, 1 lap -73.2m (U11) and 2 lap -146.4m (U13 and U15), Middle distance, 4 lap – 292.8m (all) 6 lap – 439.2m (U13 and U15), Parlauf which are a relay with the laps shared between a pair of runners, 6 laps for U11 and 8 laps for U13 and U15 plus relays.

The field events are: –

Speed bounce, Vertical Jump, Standing Long Jump and Standing triple jump (U13 and U15)

Athletes may compete in up to 3 events plus a relay. Two athletes in each event scoring points for the club and if more than two athletes want to enter they can get a time, distance or score for there event.

Dates: Sunday 8th December 2024 and Sunday 26th January 2025. The timings are the competition are 1.15pm till 5pm.

2025 Summer Track Season

Dates for Summer 2025 Track and Field season will be published when they are available.

Youth Development League – Lower Age Group (For under 13 and Under 15 athletes)

Match one – Saturday 3rd May – Hastings
Match two – Sunday 1st June – Withdean Stadium Brighton
Match three – Sunday 29th June – Sutcliffe Park
Match four – Sunday 20th July – Dartford

For further information about the league contact – www.ukydl.org.uk

Youth Development League – Upper Age Group (For under 17 and Under 20 athletes)

Match 1 – Sunday 27th April – Withdean Stadium – Brighton
Match 2 – Sunday 25th May – Weir Archer Athletics Track
Match 3 – Sunday 6th July – TBC

For further information about the league contact www.ukydl.org.uk

Southern Athletics League – (All ages from 15 and above)

Match 1 – Saturday 17th May – K2 Crawley
Match 2 – Sunday 22nd June – Lewes
Match 3 – Sunday 13th July – Hastings
Match 4 – Saturday 30th August – TBA
Reserve Date – TBC

For the 2025 season the combined Lewes AC and Haywards Heath Team is in the SAL Division 3 South League. Other teams are – Paddockwood/Folkestone: Chichester: East Grinstead/Horsham Blue Star: HY Runners: Thanet: and Worthing.

For further information about the League contact www.southernathletics.org.uk

Sussex under 13 League (East)

Match one – Friday 16th May – TBC
Match two – Friday 11th July –
Match three (?) Monday (?)
Final – Sunday 7th September – K2 Crawley

Sussex under 15 League (Whole County)

Friday – TBC
Friday – TBC
Friday – TBC
Friday – TBC

Track and field Championships

Sussex T&F Championships – TBC