About Junior Ilkley Harriers
Junior Ilkley Harriers (JIH) is the junior section of Ilkley Harriers AC, providing a friendly, structured athletics environment for young people who love to run.
Our story
We grew out of Ilkley Sportshall Athletics, which began in 2002, when a group of volunteer Ilkley Harriers coaches saw how much talent and enthusiasm there was among local children and wanted to offer more than just Sportshall.
Junior Ilkley Harriers was officially established on 1 September 2003 as a multi-discipline junior club.
Who JIH is for
Every kind of runner
From those who come for fun and fitness to those who are highly competitive and keen to race.
JIH as your main club
Due to our size, we can only accept juniors who are first-claim with Junior Ilkley Harriers.
Moving up to seniors
Athletes can keep training at junior-led sessions, senior sessions or a mix of both, but must join the senior section of Ilkley Harriers AC. The senior club is based at the Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club.
Races our juniors take part in
- Local and championship-level fell races
- The West Yorkshire Cross Country League and PECO Cross Country series
- Yorkshire, Northern and National cross-country championships
- U11, U13 and U15 West Yorkshire Sportshall Athletics trials
What we do
Children who join JIH can access all appropriate training and coaching sessions (subject to availability and any waiting lists) and can race in the distinctive red and green Ilkley vest under the club name.
For a number of years we also competed in track & field, but we no longer offer it as a regular club activity.
Coaches, welfare and volunteers
All our coaches and helpers are volunteers who give their time to plan and run sessions. Many have recognised qualifications in athletics coaching, along with Emergency Aid, Safeguarding/Child Protection training and valid DBS checks.
We actively encourage parents and older juniors (Year 9 upwards) to help at sessions. From Year 10, we can support juniors to take Leadership Awards or coaching qualifications through England Athletics.
Junior Welfare Officers
- Mrs Elizabeth Raven
- Mrs Kate Lofthouse
- Mrs Katrina Kennedy
If you have any concerns, questions about welfare, or need to raise an issue, please contact a welfare officer in the first instance.
Standards, policies and colours
We aim to provide a safe, supportive environment for all juniors. Juniors and parents should read our policies and codes of conduct, which are agreed to when completing the junior membership form. Juniors who compete regularly for the club can be awarded club colours, presented as embroidered cloth badges.
How to join
Hand it in
Return the form at any session to the coach in charge.
Membership is free for juniors who pay session fees and for junior volunteers. For the small number of juniors who don’t pay session fees, the annual JIH membership fee covers the cost of England Athletics registration.
Want to find out more?
Ask Shirley about places, sessions or anything else about Junior Ilkley Harriers.