YDL
In January 2013, through an initiative set up by UK Athletics, the existing National Junior Athletic League and the National Young Athletics League amalgamated to form the UK Youth Development League for athletes under 20 years of age.
YDL is split into two age groups
- LOWER AGE GROUP: u13 and u15 athletes
- UPPER AGE GROUP: u17 and u20 athletes
Vale of Aylesbury Athletic Club competes in both age groups in the SOUTHERN Area.
There are usually four or five league matches each Track & field season between April and September. Dates vary each year. Match dates are published by the YDL each year and will be announced by the club ASAP.
Typical Events at a YDL Match
LOWER AGE GROUP: 70m / 75m / 80m Hurdles / 75m / 100m / 150m / 200m / 300m / 800m / 1200m / 1500m/ 4x100m / 4x300m/ Hammer / Long Jump / High Jump / Shot / Discus / Javelin / Pole Vault
UPPER AGE GROUP: 80m / 100m / 110m / 400m Hurdles / 100m / 200m / 400m / 800m / 1500m /2000m steeple chase / 4x100m / 4x300m / 4x400m / Hammer / Long Jump / High Jump / Triple Jump / Shot / Discus / Javelin / Pole Vault
Team Selection
Athletes are selected to participate by the club’s YDL Team Manager for each age group. An athlete is expected to compete for the club if selected for the team.
YDL is a developmental Track & Field league, as such athletes may be selected based on their strengths but will also often be asked to enter events that they are less familiar with, either to cover gaps in the team or provide them with different event experiences. Athletes are awarded points for each event, that go towards the team’s overall score on the day, so every athlete’s effort is encouraged and important. Team Managers will select the team and allocate events to athletes. Transport via coach is provided for each match, and athletes are expected to travel to and from the match on the coach to help foster team spirit whenever possible.
Match Hosting
Clubs are expected to host at least one match during a season. Without clubs hosting matches the league would not exist. It takes a lot of work to organise and host a match. When the club is hosting a match, we will ask for volunteers to help on the day. This may be non-competing athletes to act as score runners, catering help at the match and cakes to sell in aid of the club funds, match scoring, Team Managing, help with organising the athletes on the day and making sure that they get to events on time, unofficial events help and more.
Officials
The club must provide a team of at least five qualified Track & Field officials and a qualified match official for each match. Failure to do so can include point deductions to the team’s match score. Which we obviously try to avoid. We also may request unqualified help from parents on the day, to avoid point penalties. If you are regularly attending matches with your athlete, please consider qualifying as an official for the club. Training is provided and costs taken care of by the club, official kit provided. Please look at the Volunteering section of the website.
More information regarding YDL can be found on their website at: