Scottishathletics

Scottishathletics Squads

Scottishathletics has three main development squads that cater for junior inexperienced athletes right through to senior international athletes.

Countdown Regional Squad

The regional squads launched by scottishathletics are focused on introducing athletes to the fundamentals of athletics. This squad consists of athletes who achieve standards set by the governing body and are in the age group categories under-15 and under-17. The squads are made up of approximately 244 athletes and 70 coaches. The aim of the squads is to introduce and teach athletes and coaches about the foundations of athletics.

Criteria for Selection

Athletes have to fulfil at least one of the following selection criteria:

Coaches can also be selected based on the following criteria:

Countdown Development Squad

The countdown development squad is focused on developing athletes which are achieving high standards at a young age. The aim of this squad is to aid athletes in their progression through their athletics career and assist them in achieving their full potential. The squad consists of athletes in the age groups; under-23, under-20 and under-17. The squad is made up of 131 athletes and 74 coaches.

Criteria for Selection

Athletes have to fulfil at least one of the following selection criteria:

Coaches can also be selected based on the following criteria:

• Athlete is selected via the criteria above • Both athlete and coach are based in Scotland full-time

Countdown National Squad

The national squad is aimed at supporting senior athletes who are the best in their event in Scotland and also possibly the UK. Being a member of the senior squad provides many advantages to Scotland’s elite athletes. As an endurance athlete in the squad, an athlete has the opportunity to take part in a warm weather training camp which in based in South Africa. There is also an opportunity for athletes in all events to participate in a warm weather training camp in Monte Gordo, Portugal. Both camps are fully funded and are no cost to the athlete is incurred. The National Squad also encompasses athletes who achieve relay standards and these relay athletes are partly funded to the warm weather training camp in Monte Gordo.

Criteria for Selection

The criteria for selection to the national squad are very strict and there are several high standards which need to be achieved by the athletes to become a member of the squad. The exact criteria for individual and relay athletes can be found at the Scottish athletics website.

Sportscotland

The major partner for providing funding for Scottish athletics is Sportscotland. They are Scotland’s national agency for sport and greatly believe that there are great benefits to be gained from sport. The benefits they believe that can be gained include enjoyment and achievement from taking part and the shared pride that is created from national success. Their mission is to encourage the people of Scotland to take part in sports and develop a sporting experience. Therefore, increasing the number of participants and the performance in sports in Scotland. They aim to reach their goals by assisting and inspiring their partners and applying funding in key areas while advising on future strategies and policies.

Bank of Scotland

The Bank of Scotland has a Bank of Scotland Talented Young Athlete (BoSTYA) Programme which has now been running for nine years. This program is the result of an alliance with Scottishathletics that is dedicated to assisting young athletes in the development of their talents across Scotland. By providing valuable technical and logistical support they are enabling the progress and success of athletes at international level. In the last 5 years, Bank of Scotland has invested over £500,000 in the program that benefits 150 of our top young athletes per year and has contributed in the reversing the trend of young athletes leaving the sport in their teenage years. In addition to this the bank of Scotland award special prizes in the annual Scottish athletics awards held in November. These special prizes help recognise young athlete’s achievements from the previous twelve months.

Puma

The official supplier of athletics gear to Scottishathletics is Puma, who provide kit to all Scottish international teams, their coaches and officials until the Commonwealth games in New Delhi 2010.

Stewarts of Edinburgh

They are the sponsors of the Scottish Road Race Grand Prix series and the Cross Country Grand Prix series. They are also Edinburgh’s oldest printing solutions firm and a great supporter of scottishathletics.

Highland Spring

They support all scottishathletics championships events as well as the jogscotland programme.

Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)

Lloyds Development Capital are the sponsors of the club first programme helping selected clubs achieve Clubmark (club accreditation scheme). They also assist junior member recruitment and the development of coach through funding coach education places. They are also one of the UK’s foremost private equity specialists.