SCOTTISH INTER-REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL KICK START INAUGURAL GOLDEN LEAGUE

For immediate release
March 17, 2009

The new Scottish Inter-Regional Championships, to be hosted by North Lanarkshire (NL) Leisure on Sunday 10^th May in Wishaw, forms part of the scottishathletics Golden League for senior athletes this summer.

This new, innovative,competition format will play a role in developing performance in the countdown to 2014 by seeking to raise domestic competition standards for all athletes.

The Inter-Regional Championships concludes a full weekend of athletics, which starts with an under-13 Superteams competition, plus Scottish under-15 and under-17 Closed Championships, on Saturday 9^th May.

Councillor Jim Logue, Chair of NL Leisure and Convenor of Learning and Leisure Services, said:

“This is a major coup for North Lanarkshire to be hosting this new and prestigious sporting event. I’d encourage as many people to turn up for what I’m sure will be two thrilling action packed days. The event will also encourage young people to get involved in athletics and provide them with the experience of competing in a professional arena.”

Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Leisure, added:

“We are delighted that North Lanarkshire Leisure has developed such a positive partnership with Scottish Athletics. The catalyst for this has been the appointment of Yvonne Murray who is leading in developing our athletics and events provision in North Lanarkshire.”

The winners will be presented with the Innes Trophy, in memory of former scottishathletics official John Innes.

His wife, Anne Innes, said: “John had a real love of athletics and for the young athletes who were the future of the sport. He never asked for anything in return but I know he would be very proud and touched by this recognition.”

The leading finishers in a range of Golden League events at each meeting will score eight points for a first place finish through to one point for eighth position.

Athletes’ points totals will accumulate throughout the series towards a place for the leading two/three Scots at the Golden League final, in addition to eligibility for overall prize money, at the Bank of Scotland Cup at Grangemouth in late August.

Double points will be on offer for the Scottish National and UK Senior Championships top eight and half points for the UK Junior Championships (under-20/23).

Scottish 400m hurdles champion and UK Championships bronze medallist Eilidh Child (Pitreavie AAC) said: “This is my first year in full time employment as a PE teacher at Perth Grammar School and they’ve been great in supporting me in my athletics. This will be my first outdoor competition of 2009 and I’ll be competing in the flat 400m. It’s a great opportunity to represent (and captain!) what I’m sure will be a strong Tayside & Fife team.”

Recently crowned UK shot putt champion (indoors) Alison Rodger (Kilbarchan AAC), added: “After a successful indoor season I can’t wait to compete outdoors, especially as captain of the host team (West Coast). It also means a lot to me knowing that the competition trophy will be presented in recognition of John Innes who died last year and who really helped me in the early years of my athletics career at Victoria Park City of Glasgow).

The 2009 scottishathletics Golden League series comprises:

Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th May: Inter-Regional Championships (Wishaw)
Saturday 20^th/Sunday 21^st June: Scottish National Championships (Pitreavie)
Wednesday 29^th July: Open Graded Grand Prix (Linwood)
Wednesday 12^th August: Open Graded Grand Prix (East Kilbride)
Wednesday 26^th August (TBC): Bank of Scotland Cup (Grangemouth).

For full details check out www.scottishathletics.org.uk