At Ryston we encourage competitive environments - we believe these bring about personal development both physically and mentally as well as the opportunity to work as a team to achieve something often far more rewarding than personal glory.
Juniors always compete in their own age group and these are specified as followed:
Under 11 – Schools years 4 and 5 (Under 11 as at 31st August)
Under 13 – School years 6 and 7 (Under 13 as at 31st August)
Under 15 – School years 8 and 9 (Under 15 as at 31st August)
Under 17 – School years 10 and 11 (Under 17 as at 31st August)
For cross country and sportshall season (October to March), the age group is based on the age at 31st August for the year that season starts (i.e. follows track and field age group from preceding season).
Cross Country Running
You will likely be aware we organise our very own series of cross country races in the beautiful woods at Shouldham Warren - click here. There are 6 races in the series, one a month from October through to March. These are suitable for all ages and all abilities, with races from Under 9s upwards.
These races are great for general fitness and for those with a competitive streak there are prizes on offer. Running the same course on a relatively frequent basis also offers the perfect opportunity to monitor your own times and improvement.
For parents/guardians, the Under 9 and Under 11 races incorporate a primary schools competition – we ask that you share this with your child’s school PE representative.
Sportshall Athletics
Sportshall is the indoor brand of junior athletics for the winter months, using reversa boards for running and adapted events for all the main athletic disciplines such as standing long jump and hurdles. Other events include the speed bounce and obstacle relay. The motto is 'fun first' and this is for everyone aged from 9 to 14.
Those who have attended these events in the past will confirm how much fun they are, how active the athletes are and how much this improves your overall performance.
We compete in a Norfolk Sportshall League as a team and it is a great introduction to competitions and for the athletes to support each other. We organise teams and so watch out for communications when these matches are approaching.
There is also a yearly Sportshall County Championships for which individuals are required to enter themselves which offers the opportunity for children to qualify to represent Norfolk.
Please see https://norfolksportshall.org.uk/ for more information
Track and Field - East Anglian League
The East Anglian League (EAL) is a Sunday league for all athletes aged 9 upwards. Athletes compete in their own age-group, with each age-group scored separately as a "mini-league". These totals are then aggregated to give an overall match result.
EAL matches currently commence at 11.15am and aim to finish at around 5.30pm. There are the following age-groups in each match; Under 11 Boys, Under 11 Girls (Under 11s compete for fun and experience only - it is not a scoring age-group), Under 13 Girls, Under 13 Boys, Under 15 Girls, Under 15 Boys, Under 17 Men, Senior Women and Senior Men (Under 17 Women compete with the Seniors but there are special hurdles and 300m races for them. Under 20 Women and men compete as Seniors). Each club can enter two scoring athletes into each event in an age-group (except certain events which are limited to one per club). Non-scoring athletes are also permitted in most events, and these provide the opportunity for new athletes to get a registered performance for future team selection, or for athletes who are already in a scoring event, to do additional events.
There are 4 league matches with the top 8 in each age group progressing to the final which takes place in September each year. For more information on this league please contact the junior track and field rep.
More information at http://www.cambsathletics.org.uk/east-anglian-t&f-league
Track and Field - Eastern Young Athletes League
The Eastern Young Athletes League (EYAL) is for boys and girls in the under 13, under 15 and under 17 age groups. With around 25 clubs taking part in 5 fixtures a year in a 'round robin' league there are finals for the top six and a plate final. More information can be found on the EYAL website http://www.eyal.org.uk.
Ryston compete in a composite team with other clubs the the region. If you would like to take part in this league please contact the junior track and field rep.
Other opportunities
More competitive opportunities exist for individuals outside the organisation / scope of Ryston Runners AC. These include (but are not limited to):
- County Championships (Organised by Athletics Norfolk)
- Quadkids (Organised by Athletics Norfolk)
- Schools Events (Access via school PE department)
- Eastern / Southern Regional Championships (Organised by ESAA / SEAA)
- National Championships (Organised by England Athletics)
If you would like to know more about additional opportunities then please speak to the coaching team or the track and field rep.