Our Regional SUPERteams plan for 2023 to help clubs, young athletes

Thursday 15th September 2022

Youngsters from Harmeny AC and Shettleston Harriers made friends at Kilmarnock in June and now a Regional SUPERteams format could help get more clubs involved (photo via Twitter)

The scottishathletics U12 SUPERteams event continues to be an extremely popular fixture in the annual calendar of events.

Central venues of Perth and Glasgow received record entries in 2018 and 2019, with more teams on waiting lists, and this year there were 78 teams entered for Kilmarnock, showing that the event is growing in popularity again post-pandemic.

Feedback from the event every year is very positive with athletes who attend enjoying the day and introduction to this level of competition.

In order to increase the number of athletes participating in SUPERteams and to reduce the travel requirement faced by the clubs taking part, a Regional Heat to National Final format is being considered for introduction in 2023.

This would allow more athletes to participate in the SUPERteams format at low-key, club-organised events (supported by scottishathletics), with the opportunity to qualify for a National Final hosted by us a few weeks later.

So, with that plan in mind, our Competitions Team is now seeking notes of interest from clubs who would consider hosting a Regional Heat in 2023.

No commitment is required at this stage, but if you would like to find out more about how your club can get involved, please e-mail events@scottishathletics.org.uk

Thanks for your support!

Thank you @scotathletics for an excellent Super Teams event! @inverclyde_ac teams had a terrific day with lots of PBs! pic.twitter.com/2qSTuyCQDx

— Mrs Buchanan ? (@MrsBuchanan10) June 18, 2022

Regional Heats information:

*Regional Heats may be hosted by one single host club, or by a small group of clubs working together.

*Host clubs for the regional heats will receive an event organiser’s manual. This will include advice on entry processes, venue set up, volunteer recruitment, seeding and scoring guidelines, FAQs, etc.

*There should be four to six regional heats across Scotland, depending on demand.

*Heats should take place in April or May 2023 ahead of the National Final in June.

*During the heats, instead of competing as teams, athletes will compete as individuals in three SUPERteams events. This keeps the administration of the event simple for the host club and allows any number of athletes from any club to take part without relying on others to form a full team.

*The event will be open to athletes in the U12 age group. In 2023, this means they will be at least nine years of age on the day of the FINAL and born before 31/08/11.

*Athletes will take part in 75m, turbo javelin and long jump (SUPERteams rules), with fun non-scoring relays offered for on-the-day teams at the end of the Regional Heat. The National Final will include a team 4x100m relay as usual.

*SUPERteams teams will be made up of the four highest-scoring athletes from the same club. The top teams in each regional heat will progress to the National Final.

*Regional heats should take place in person where possible, but a virtual option could be offered to combat island travel issues if necessary.

PLEASE BE AWARE: There are no changes planned for the upcoming indoor season and Indoor SUPERteams will continue in its usual format in 2023.