|
Are
you Welsh or English?? |
|
Oswestry
Olympians are
based on the Border between England & Wales. We are affiliated
to Shropshire AA, Midland Counties AA, AA of Wales, AAA of England,
UK-Athletics & British Triathlon Association. As a member of
Oswestry Olympians we would normally register you as an English,
Midlands Counties athlete.
But what
Country or County are you eligible to compete in/for?
This may
seem a simple enough question. There may be a very simple answer, but
just answer the following questions.
Where do
you live? - Where were you born? - Were your parents born there too?
- Where do you go to school?
The
answer to any one of these questions could decide your nationality
from an athletics point of view, and where & what you
competitions you can compete in.
Perhaps
you live in Wales,
were born in London
but your parents are from N.Ireland
& Scotland
& you go to school in Shropshire.
In
this case you could in theory compete as any one, but
not in the same year.
|
|
UK
Athletics is divided into 4 Countries
- (England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland)
England
is divided into
3 Regions - (Midlands,
North , South)
The
English Regions are
sub-divided into Counties
(There
are also English Schools competitions which are solely based on
where you attend school)
Wales
is divided into
4 Regions - (North, South, East & West) There is no real County
competition except by Welsh Schools
However
Wales, Scotland & N.Ireland are also sometimes regarded as
regions. (Confused? - You're not the only one)
There
are seperate rules & regions for schools competition, which do
not align with the above. For England they are (Midlands, North East,
North West, East Anglia, South East & South West). Although our
club is in the Midlands region, for schools competition we are
sometimes in the North West. |
|
But
which should you choose? -
My personal
view is Wales is a country with a small population and the people in
Welsh athletics are extremely helpful. I would rather win a National
competition in a small country, with the chance of a wearing a
National vest, than a regional competition in a larger country. (No
I'm not Welsh!!)
|
|
Eligibility
Rules
County
Eligibility
a.
BIRTH - See also UKA Rule 4(1)
b
RESIDENCE - nine months continuous bona fide residence in the County
immediately prior to the date of the competition.
Territorial
& District Championship Country Eligibility
English
Eligibility
- (We will register
you as English unless you advise us otherwise - Ed.)
a.(i)
BIRTH
(ii)
RESIDENCE - nine months continuous bona fide residence in the County
immediately prior to the date of the competition.
b.
A student at school, college or University does not acquire a
residential qualification by residence during term time alone. A
Territory, though, may at it's discretion, relax the residential
qualification in the case of Juniors & younger athletes, & of
Seniors in residence at college or university, but competition in any
such event shall not be deemed to have established a Territorial qualification.
c.
No athlete is allowed to compete in the Championships of more than
one Territorial Association (Regional
or National - Ed.)
other than England in any one nine month period.
Welsh
National Championship Eligibility
In
order to compete in Welsh Championships or to compete for Wales
athletes must be registered with the Athletics Association of Wales
and must have at least one of the following qualifications: (See
John Roberts for Welsh Registration - Ed.)
a.
BIRTH - the athlete having been born in Wales
b
PARENTAGE - one or both parents having been born in Wales. When
claiming eligibility through parentage the applicant must send to the
office, with their application form, the ORIGINAL birth certificates
of both the parent who was born in Wales and of themselves
(PHOTOCOPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED). These certificates should be the
older style certificate showing the relationship between the
applicant and the mother / father. Certificates will, of course, be returned.
c.
RESIDENCE - a minimum of 2 years continuous residence in Wales
immediately prior to the event to be competed in.
Athletes
who compete for Wales at full senior International level under the
residence qualification retain their Welsh eligibility, regardless
of residence, until such time as they compete for another country
(but not another area).
Who
to contact
If
you have any specific questions relating to Rules and Eligibility
please contact Richie Jenkins or the AAW office directly
Scottish
District Championship Eligibility
a.
BIRTH
- the athlete having been born in Scotland
b.
By residence in the District
c.
By first claim or secondary first claim membership of an affiliated
Club with headquarters within the District Boundary. |
|
|
This
information is for guidance only. It can't be taken as definitive in
any way. If you are in doubt then contact the Regional or National
body concerned. Find their details on our contacts page. |
