Ilkley Sportshall Athletics was set up in September 2002 by a number of volunteer coaches who were all runners with Ilkley Harriers. It was obvious from the start that Sportshall Athletics alone was not enough. Their talent, enthusiasm and motivation was crying out for a local Junior Athletics club that could cater for their demands so......
Junior Ilkley Harriers (JIH) was established on 1st September 2003 as a multi-disciplined club catering for children between the ages of 8 - 16 years from those who take part for fun & fitness to those who are incredibly competitive and wish to race. As from September 2014 any 16 - 18 year old can continue to train at junior led sessions as well as senior sessions (or mix and match) but must join the senior section of the club. The senior club based is at the Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club.
Over the last decade we have had boys and girls competing in Fell races at both local and Championship level; the highly competitive West Yorkshire Cross-Country series, PECO Cross-Country Challenge series, Yorkshire, Northern and National X-C Championships, children attending U11, U13 and U15 West Yorkshire Sportshall Athletics trials and in 2008 we made our first appearance in Track & Field Athletics (sadly we no longer do T&F).
Due to our numbers we can only except juniors who are First Claim with Junior Ilkley Harriers. Children who join can take part in all the training and coaching that we offer (subject to availability of places for sessions) and will be able to compete in the distinctive red and green running vest of Ilkley and under the club name at races, as well as enjoying the benefits like structured training. Both juniors and their parents should read and be familiar with the junior policies and codes of conduct which they will be asked to sign up to on the junior membership form.
Junior Ilkley Harriers who compete regularly are presented with colours - these are embroidered cloth badges.
All our coaches and helpers are
We encourage parents and older juniors (Year 9 upwards) to help at sessions
and we fund individuals to gain an athletics coaching qualification or
Leadership Award from Year 10.
If you wish to find out more about JIH or check for availability of places contact Shirley Wood (Shirley@ilkleyharriers.org.uk). And if you'd like to join JIH you can download a membership form and return it at any session to the coach in charge. Membership is free to all those who pay session fees and junior volunteers. For the small number who do not pay session fees the JIH annual membership is £17 to cover EA registration.
2012/13 Junior AGM report. The AGM celebrated 10 years of Junior Ilkley Harriers with this super cake baked by Gaenor.