Youth Development League (YDL) 2020

The YDL is made up of two different competitions:

• The Lower Age Group (LAG) which is U13 and U15 athletes (years 6, 7, 8 and 9)
• The Upper Age Group (UAG) which is U17 and U20 (school years 10+).

This article will be concentrating on the Lower Age Group.

OVERVIEW

This is the highest level of competition in which the Junior part of the club competes.  We are in the Midlands section, currently in Division 1.  There are 3 rounds plus a final where the top 3 teams from our division compete for promotion and the bottom 3 teams compete to not be relegated.

2020 LAG FIXTURES

16th May – Away (Aberdare)
6th June – Away (Bath)
18th July – Away (Hereford)
8th Aug – Final (Aberdare)

Due to the Olympics UK Athletics have moved the YDL fixtures May – Aug for 2020.

The lower age group competitions take place on Saturdays. It is a series of 4 competitions across the “Middle” of England.  Think of the YDL as similar to a football league with promotion or relegation from the league available at the end of the season!  Last season we missed out on staying up in the premier league by 12 points, that is a space in one event effectively…

EVENTS

It covers the following athletic disciplines:

• SPRINTS – 75m/150m, 100m, 200m, 300m, plus hurdles and relay races
• MIDDLE DISTANCE – 800m, 1200m/1500m
• JUMPS – Long Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault
• THROWS – Hammer, Discus, Shot, Javelin

TEAM MANAGER

The Team Manager (Sam Hillier-Smith) will select athletes after talking to the coaches to discuss form and reviewing the latest Power of Ten results (www.thepowerof10.info). Team selection is then made and everyone competing is sent out an email.

Sam can select a maximum of two athletes per event, as an A and B string and these will be the strongest available athletes in these events in the club (athletes are seeded). This is done in collaboration with the club coaches.

NON-SCORING EVENTS
There are limited non scoring events in the Lower YDL for the 75m, 100m and 800m only. (an extra 2 athletes can compete but don’t score any points, they do get their score recorded on the power of 10 website.)

MAKE SURE ALL EVENTS ARE COVERED!
If there are any event gaps that need to be filled on the day, then these are offered to athletes who are attending the day and that might be able to help. It may not be your best event, but even a single point could make the difference between promotion or relegation.

OUR LEAGUE
Yate AC are in the lower YDL Midlands League for the 2020 season with 6 other teams consisting of:
• Bristol & West AC/Mendip
• Gloucester
• North Devon AC
• North Somerset
• Rhymney Valley AC
• Team Bath
However, this year we have been merged with Division 2 and will compete alongside them on the same days but remain in our respective division.  This is thought to help save time and costs for all involved, and is being trialled this year with us.

TRANSPORTATION
We will be taking a coach (as in a bus!) from Yate AC for the fixtures to Aberdare and Hereford at a cost of £5 per athlete or £10 for a family (4 or 5 people).

GENERAL
Ideally, athletes will attend all fixtures to allow the team to “gel”.
Any athletes selected for the Relay (the highlight of the day) will need to attend specific relay practice sessions where possible.
Club kit must be worn consisting of the club vest/crop top and black shorts.  Please contact Sam if you need to purchase kit as an order will go in near the end of March and can take 6 weeks for delivery.

For an overview of the Lower YDL please see https://yateac.co.uk/lower-youth-development-league/

Results and reports from our matches will be posted here: https://yateac.co.uk/results/