Competition
RULES OF COMPETITION
The Rule Book of Athletics UK shall apply except where specifically overruled.
CROSS-COUNTRY
1. The age limits shall be: Mini - Under 13, Minor - Under 14, Junior - Under 15 and Intermediate - Under 17 on 1st July of the year of competition. (i.e. born
after midnight on 30th June).
The Senior age limit will be Under 19 at midnight on 1st Jan in the year of
Competition.
2. Races shall be of the following approximate lengths:-
District
GIRLS BOYS
Under 13 1500 metres 1500 metres
Under 14 1500 metres 2000 metres Under 15 2000 metres 2500 metres
Under 17 2500 metres 4000 metres
Under 19 2000 metres 5000 metres
Ulster
GIRLS BOYS
Under 13 1700 metres 1700 metres
Under 14 2000 metres 2300 mteres Under 15 2300 metres 3200 metres
Under 17 3200 metres 4700 metres
Under 19 3200 metres 6200 metres
Irish
GIRLS BOYS
Under 14 2000 metres 2500 metres Under 15 2500 metres 3500 metres
Under 17 3500 metres 5000 metres
Under 19 3200 metres 6500 metres
3. Teams shall be made up as follows:-
Girls - six runners of whom the first three shall count in Senior, Intermediate, Junior and Minor age groups. The first four shall count in the Mini age group.
Boys - eight runners of whom the first four shall count.
Athletes must compete in their own age group, with the exception that teams may be completed by, not more than one athlete from the age group immediately below.
4. In the event of a tie, the last scoring runner who finishes nearer the first place
shall determine the result.
5. Any protest must be made immediately to the appropriate referee or the
meeting director, by a Teacher from the school of the athlete involved or by
the athlete’s District Hon. Sec. or Chair person.
6. The course shall be marked with flags and there shall be a clear run of at
least 200 metres at the start and finish.
7. The District Championships shall be on a date not later than two weeks before
the date set for the Ulster Championships.
8. The Central (Ulster) Championships shall be held not later than the last
Wednesday in February in each year, and no later than 10 days before the
date set for the Irish Championships.
9. Each affiliated school may enter ONE team in each section of the district
championships OR individual runners as follows:-
Girls - any number not exceeding two (Three in Minor Girls)
Boys - any number not exceeding three.
10. Each district may nominate, three school teams and any individual runner who
finished in the top fifteen in their District, to the central championships.
11. The entry fees for the District Championships shall be £10.00 per team,
£3.00 per individual
12. No athlete may run in more than one race.
13. Every competitor shall wear the number allocated to him/her.
TRACK AND FIELD
1. The Ulster Championships shall be held not later than the Saturday prior to
the Irish Championships, (which are normally on the Saturday before the start
of the Irish Certificate Exams.). The date of the District championships shall
be agreed by the District committee, and confirmed by the Ulster executive
2. In Track & field there are only 4 age groups. Age limits are Minor - Under 13, Junior - Under 15 and Intermediate - Under 17 on 1st July of the year of competition. (i.e. born after midnight on 30th June).
The Senior age limit will be Under 19 at midnight on 1st Jan in the year of Competition.
3. The Events shall be:
BOYS’ EVENTS
MINOR: 100m, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot, 4x100m Relay.
JUNIOR: 100m, 200m, 800m, 1500m, 80m Hurdles, 1500m Walk, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot, Discus, Javelin, Hammer, 4x100m Relay.
INTERMEDIATE: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, 1500m Steeplechase, 2000m Walk, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot, Discus, Javelin, Hammer, 4x100m Relay.
SENIOR: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 110m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, 2000m Steeplechase, 3000m Walk, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot, Discus, Javelin, Hammer, 4x100m Relay.
GIRLS’ EVENTS
MINOR: 100m, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot, 4x100m Relay.
JUNIOR: 100m, 200m, 800m, 1500m, 75m Hurdles, 1200m Walk, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot, Discus, Javelin, Hammer, 4x100m Relay.
INTERMEDIATE: 100m, 200m, 300m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 100m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, 1000m Steeplechase,2000m Walk, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot, Discus, Javelin, Hammer, 4x100m Relay.
SENIOR: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, 3000m, Walk, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot, Discus, Javelin, Hammer, 4x100m Relay.
4. NUMBERS: Every competitor shall wear the number allocated, and in sprints and hurdles, two numbers.
5. SPECIFICATIONS
HURDLES:
BOYS
Distance Height No. Approach Interval Run-in
Junior 80m 83.8cm 8 12.00m 8.00m 12.00m
Inter 100m 91.4cm 10 13.00m 8.5m 10.5m
400m 83.8cm 10 45.00m 35.00m 40.00m
Senior 110m 99.0cm 10 13.72m 9.14m 14.02m
400m 91.4cm 10 45.00m 35.00m 40.00m
GIRLS
Junior 75m 76.2cm 8 11.50m 7.50m 12.00m
Inter 80m 76.2cm 8 12.00m 8.00m 12.00m
300m 76.2cm 7 50.00m 35.00m 40.00m
Senior 100m 83.8cm 10 13.00m 8.50m 10.50m
400m 76.2cm 10 45.00m 35.00m 40.00m
STEEPLECHASE -
2000m: There shall be 18 hurdles and 5 water jumps
1500m: There shall be 13 hurdles and 3 water jumps
For further details see UK Athletics Rule 103
6. WEIGHTS
BOYS SHOT DISCUS JAVELIN HAMMER
Minor 3.25kg
Junior 4.00kg 1.00kg 600g 4.00kg
Inter 5.00kg 1.5kg 700g 5.00kg
Senior 6.00kg 1.75kg 800g 6.00kg
GIRLS SHOT DISCUS JAVELIN HAMMER
Minor 2.72kg
Junior 3.25kg 0.75kg 500g 3.25kg
Inter 4.00kg 1.00kg 600g 4.00kg
Senior 4.00kg 1.00kg 600g 4.00kg
7. STARTING HEIGHTS:
HIGH JUMP POLE VAULT
BOYS District Ulster District Ulster
Minor 1.12m 1.20m
Junior 1.25m 1.30m 1.83m 2.00m
Inter 1.35m 1.50m 1.98m 2.20m
Senior 1.45m 1.55m 2.28m 2.40m
GIRLS
Minor 1.07m 1.15m
Junior 1.20m 1.30m 1.60m 1.75m
Inter 1.25m 1.35m 1.75m 1.90m
Senior 1.25m 1.35m 1.90m 2.05m
In High Jump the bar shall be raised by 5cms twice, and thereafter by 3cms.
In Pole Vault the bar shall be raised by 15cms twice, and thereafter by 10cms.
(Note these starting heights when making entries)
8. Competitors must take part in their own age group except:
(a) in Relay races, where a team may be completed by one athlete from the
immediate younger age group. No athlete may run in more than one
relay.
9. UK Athletics rules forbid a Junior athlete from competing in both 800m and
1500m, if held on the same day. (Rule 107).
10. In Junior Triple Jump the maximum length of the run up shall be 12 metrers.
11. No athlete may be entered in more than two events, plus a relay.
12. Any protest must be made immediately to the appropriate referee or the
meeting director, by a Teacher from the school of the athlete involved or by
the athlete’s District Hon. Sec. or Chair person. If the probelem has not been resolved an appeals committee comprising the meeting director and a District representative, who is a member of the Ulster executive, from each District except the one from the District from which the protest came will make a final decision.
13. In District championships each school may enter two competitors in each
event, except the relay.
14. In the Ulster Championships each District may enter THREE competitors,
who must have qualified in the District Championships.
15. The entry fees of the district championships shall be £3.00 per competitor
per event and £4.00 per relay team.
16. Each competitor in throwing or jumping for distance shall have THREE
trials, and the leading six shall have TWO more.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Since this is a Schools’ Association all entries can only be made through the competitor’s school, on the official entry form.
It cannot be too strongly emphasised that entries must be thoroughly checked to ensure that athletes are entered in the proper age group so as to avoid the confusion which has sometimes occurred in the past. Dates of birth must also be included.
Procedure for substitution at Ulster Championships:
Substitution shall be allowed if made by the District Team Manager or Secretary to the Recorder not later than noon on the day before the meeting. A school may privately change the formation of a qualifying team but only the District may substitute individual qualifiers. All substitutes must have qualified from District level. (NOTE: Each District should appoint a team manager.)
In the Ulster Track and Field Championships, the first three from each heat plus the next two fastest non-qualifiers shall go forward to the final.
The Executive Committee of the Association annually appoints committees to select teams for Inter Provincial competition. This is normally the Ulster Chair person, the Hon. Sec. and one representative from each District. Each District shall have only one vote. Selected athletes are notified through their schools.
The Executive Committee also appoints Ulster team managers, nominees for Irish team managers and representatives to Irish selection committees.
It is essential that all championship events organised in the name of the Association should have thorough insurance cover. Such cover is organised by the Irish Schools’ Athletics Association which should be kept informed of all events promoted in the name of the Association.
The Association pays agreed expenses of its officers and delegates.
Each pole-vaulter should bring a pole (especially to Irish schools competition).
NOTE: The Track and Field Inter Provincial, as well as being a competition among the provinces, is also used as a test of an athlete’s continuing ability and form, and is an opportunity for athletes of the immediate lower age groups to be included in the team. The Inter Provincial will normally be held for the age group represented in the Schools’ International. i.e. Under 17 on 1st September in the year of competition.
TROPHIES and MEDALS
Cross-Country Trophies shall be returned to the Secretary by 1st February each year. Track and Field Trophies shall be returned to the Championship Secretary on the morning of the Ulster Track and Field finals.
CROSS-COUNTRY
Medals are awarded to the first three individual finishers and to the finishing members of the first three teams in each section.
A cup is presented to the winning team in each section of the Ulster Cross-Country Championships.
TRACK and FIELD
Medals are awarded to the first three in all events at both the District and the Ulster Championships.
Perpetual trophies are awarded to winning schools as follows.
BOYS TROPHIES
The Harold Layland Memorial Cup: (Presented by R.B.A.I. Athletic Club)
Awarded to the school scoring the greatest aggregate of points in all four sections.
The Ulster Schools Senior Athletic Challenge Cup: (Presented by Surgeon-Capt. Robin Hall, M.B., B.D., R.N.V.R.): Awarded to the school scoring most points in senior events.
The Victor Milligan Challenge Cup: (Presented by Mr A Douglas, B.A.)
Awarded to the school scoring most points in Intermediate events.
The Ulster Schools Junior Athletic Challenge Cup: (Presented by Surgeon-Capt. Robin Hall, M.B., B.D., R.N.V.R.): Awarded to the school scoring most points in Junior events.
The Eric Howard Memorial Cup: (Presented in memory of the late Eric Howard, first Treasurer of U.S.S.A.A.): Awarded to the school scoring most points in Minor events.
The Ulsterville Challenge Cup: (Presented by Ulsterville A.C.)
Awarded to the winners of the Senior relay race.
The D.A.R. Chillingworth Challenge Cup:
Awarded for the best overall performance by a Senior boy.
The Jimmy Murray Challenge Cup:
Presented to the winner of the Intermediate Boys 800m
The Dr. Nugent Challenge Cup:
Awarded to the winner of the Senior Boys’ Javelin
GIRLS TROPHIES
Ulster Schools Challenge Cup:
Awarded to the school scoring the greatest aggregate in all four sections.
Senior Challenge Cup:
Awarded to the school scoring most points in Senior events.
Intermediate Challenge Cup:
Awarded to the school scoring most points in Intermediate events.
Junior Challenge Cup:
Awarded to the school scoring most points in Junior events.
Minor Challenge Cup:
Awarded to the school scoring most points in Minor events.
Q.U.B. Challenge Cup (Presented by Q.U.B.A.C.):
Awarded to the winners of the Senior relay race.
The McCabe Challenge Cup (Presented by Mrs. Mary McCabe):
Awarded to winners of the Intermediate relay race.
The Dr. Nugent Challenge Cup:
Awarded to the winner of the Senior Girls’ Javelin
MINOR TEAM COMPETITION
1 This is an inter school team competition for Under 14 athletes in their
second year in Seconday school. Administratively, there are twenty Areas
in the Province, based on the five U.S.S.A.A. Districts.
2 Age-group: The competition is for pupils in their second year in Secondary
Schools in Northern Ireland, and for pupils of a corresponding age in
Secondary Schools in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan. All athletes must be
Under 14 on 1st July in the year of competition. First year pupils must not
be used.
3 Entry-fee: This is included in the part of the affiliation fee which is forwarded
from the Districts to the Ulster treasurer.
4 Seven athletes will represent their school in Girls’ events and seven in Boys’
events. The events are: 100m, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot, Javelin
and relay. A separate athlete will compete in each of the six individual
events. Four of the seven athletes will combine to form a relay team. The
relay will be 4 x 100 metres.
5 The first two teams in each Area will compete in the District Final.
6 The first two teams in each District will compete in the Ulster Final.
7 It is important to have a Team Manager at every stage of the competition.
8 Scoring will be as in the U.S.S.A.A. Championships: (7, 5, 4, 3, 2 ,1 for
individual events and 9, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1 for Relays.) In the event of a tie, the
better relay performance will decide which school has the higher position.
MINOR INTER DISTRICT TEAM COMPETITION
Each District may enter a team for an Inter District team competition.
In addition to the events of the Inter School competition there will also be Hurdles, Triple Jump and Discus for both boys and girls. Each District team shall have one athlete per event and one reserve which must be included in a relay team.
The relay races will be 4 x 100 metres for boys and for girls, and a combined boy and girl team in a medley relay race of 200m (boy), 200m (girl), 100m (girl), and 100m (boy).
Points will be scored (6, 4, 3, 2, 1 for individual events and 10, 7, 5, 3, 1 for Relays).
The winning District will be the one which scores most overall points. Medals will be presented.
MULTI-EVENTS
RULES OF COMPETITION
1 EVENTS
Junior Girls: 75m; Hurdles; High Jump; Shot; Long Jump; 800m
Inter Girls: 80m Hurdles; High Jump; Shot; Long Jump; 800m
Senior Girls: 100m Hurdles; High Jump, Shot; Long Jump; 800m
Junior: 80m Hurdles; Long Jump: Shot: High Jump: 1000m
Inter; 100m Hurdles; Long Jump: Shot: High Jump: 1000m
Senior Boys: 110m Hurdles; Long Jump: Shot: High Jump: 1000m
2 In all Track events athletes are allowed two false starts. A third false start
entails disqualification.
3 In the Long Jump and Shot athletes are allowed THREE trials.
4 In the High Jump, athletes will have a maximum of EIGHT attempts at the heights of their choice. The starting height may be chosen by the athletes. The bar will be raised by increments of 3cms only. Three consecutive failures will eliminate the athlete from the competition in the usual way.
5 SCORING
Points will be awarded for performances in each event, using the IAAF scoring-tables for multi-events. If a competitor fails to score in an event through disqualification, he or she may still take part in the next event of the competition. If, however, the athlete makes no attempt at an event, he or she will not be permitted to take any further part in the competition, and will not be placed in the overall competition, irrespective of their score at that stage.
6 The winner will be the competitor with the greatest total of points at the end of the final event. If two or more athletes have the same total, then the athlete scoring higher in the greater number of events will be the winner. If there is still a tie at that stage, then the athlete scoring the highest number of points in any individual event shall be the winner.
7 The entry shall be £3.00 per competitor.