UK Athletics Licence Update
1 March 2016 - By Martyn Byford
For those of you who have not or do not intend to buy a UK Athletics Licence an update has been released from them in the last few days which I attach below and which seems to imply that if you do not get one then you will not be eligible for prizes and team events in any races held under UK Athletic rules, which is most of them, from 1st April.
Whilst many of us will not win individual prizes it could impact on team events like road relays and Ekiden where the inference is that someone without a Licence within a team could render the team disqualified.
Club Captains, James K and Anita, have been made aware of this and may ask you when seeking runners for teams if you have a Licence.
I think many of the regular race entrants already hold Licences but I am aware there are a few of you that don’t hence the posting below:
Important information about athlete registration
Coinciding with the start of the new track and field season, the latest version of the UKA Rules for Competition 2016 are to be launched on April 1st and UKA have announced information on the updates that will be included.
These include important changes regarding compulsory athlete registration in competitions held under UKA Rules. It is important that athletes, club membership secretaries, team managers and others are aware of this and the associated guidance.
To help support those who are affected by different aspects of registration rules we have put together advice for:
- Athletes (& parents of young athletes) – please see www.englandathletics.org/athlete-registration
- Team Managers – please see www.englandathletics.org/team-managers-and-athlete-registration
- Membership Secretaries – please see www.englandathletics.org/secretary-registration
- Coaches – please see www.englandathletics.org/coaches-and-athlete-registration
- Event organisers – please see www.englandathletics.org/event-registration
While athlete registration has been a part of the rules of the sport for a number of years these changes mean it is essential that athletes are registered and aware of their registration details.
We recommend you make yourself familiar with the information that is relevant to you and, where appropriate, draw the attention of others to the information that is relevant to them.
You can read UKA’s announcement at www.britishathletics.org.uk/media/news/2016-news-page/february-2016/08-02-16-rule-book-update.
While road runners will still be able to compete unattached, athletes, who wish to represent their club (and claim the registered athlete discount on entry fees) in road running events, will need to be registered.
Checks on registration
The existing rule already stated that athletes “should” be registered and over the past few years England Athletics has worked with a number of major competition providers to carry out registration checks at point of entry and after events. The number of unregistered athletes has been low and decreasing. There are also competition organisers who have already been carrying out their own checks on athlete registration.
We have already spoken to a number of major competition providers and will continue to approach others over the coming weeks and months. Random checks will also be carried out.
Checks on an athlete’s registration status can be made at www.englandathletics.org/licencechecks. Competition providers can also upload spreadsheets of entrant/ competitor details for automated checks.
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