London Inter-Club Challenge – at the forefront of modernisation
London Inter-Club Challenge
London Inter-Club Challenge – at the forefront of modernisation
An innovative approach to local club competition has emerged as this season’s talking point. Based along the lines of a local open competition, the London Inter Club Challenge (LICC) will provide local athletics for local athletes.
Whilst the initial discussions revolved around a three club, women’s only competition, interest in the ideals of the LICC and its approach to modernising the league structure, has seen this develop into a four club mixed competition before the season has even started.
Founding members: Belgrave Harriers, Enfield & Haringey AC, Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers and Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies, have come together in a bid to reduce costs and to provide a high standard of local level competition to their senior athletes, male and female.
The LICC will comprise four meetings, each to be held within the M25, thereby reducing travelling times and costs. Clubs can enter up to 10 athletes per event, so there is an opportunity for athletes to try new events. Athletes will not be limited to the number of events they can enter, and because there are no promotion or relegation pressures, athletes will have the freedom to compete on their own terms and in their chosen events only.
The innovation of this competition is also reflected in the events which are on the timetable, including the steeplechase for both men and women, as well as one mile races instead of the traditional 1500m on alternate fixtures. Instead of the 5000m there is the 3000m and as opposed to the usual 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays at the end of each fixture, there will be a different relay each meeting, comprising the 4 x 200m, 4 x 100m, 4 x 400m and possibly a 4 x medley relay.
Rarely hosted race walking will also feature in the timetable, both as a development 1000m race for younger athletes (U17’s) and a 3000m for seniors.
U17’s will be catered for in selected track events each meeting. Guest athletes may also compete, subject to the referees decision, for just £1 per event entered.
Despite a seemingly relaxed approach to the LICC, each meeting will feature electronic timing and electronic data measurement, with experienced officials guiding and advising less experienced colleagues. Rarely has athletic competition offered such a high standard of pro-active ‘on the job’ training for its officials. Regular results announcements and meeting updates will also be provided by a team of experienced and new commentators. The LICC aims to provide opportunities for developing officials and results announcers, as well as athletes, thereby looking to provide the next generation of experienced officials and benefiting athletics overall.
This new athlete centred form of inter club competition has attracted generous support from both UKA and the London Marathon.
The confirmed dates, hosts and venues for the LICC for 2004 are:
01 May
Shaftesbury Barnet
Copthall
29 May
Enfield & Haringey
Copthall
26 Jun
Belgrave Harriers
Battersea Park
07 Aug
Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies
Ashton Playing Fields, Woodford
The first event is at 13.00, with registration from midday.
LICC contact details: Catherine Eastham, Press Officer, Tel: 020 8401 2704. Email
Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.