NATIONAL ATHLETICS LEAGUE
We are really excited to share the news that Yate & District AC have been accepted into the newly formed National Athletics League (NAL), which is a merger of the old Men’s British Athletic League and the UK Women’s Athletic league.
The NAL is the top league in the country, and teams are made up of senior and U20 athletes. This means that all our own senior athletes can now compete with Yate AC at a national level! In addition, we can welcome athletes from other clubs to compete for us as ‘higher claim’ athletes (where their parent club does not compete in the NAL).
There are 4 matches in the season, and these are currently scheduled on the weekends of 2/3 May, 13/14 June, 4/5 July and 1/2 August. As this is a new league structure there is unlikely to be relegations/promotions during the first season, so we have plenty of time to establish our position in this league and develop a strong U20/Senior team.
MIDLAND LEAGUE
Entry to the NAL will not affect our commitment to our current senior competition, the Midland League, or our partnership with Bristol & West AC in this league.
Unlike the NAL, which is solely for U20’s upwards, the Midland League allow our budding U17 athletes to compete as seniors in their first steps in the transition to senior level.
This is a fantastic development for the club and we are already looking forward to it! Further information to follow when we have it… watch this (very exciting) space!