1. The League shall consist of 4 Divisions of 8 Teams.
2. Each Club shall pay an affiliation fee decided at the A G M.
3. There shall be 3 matches per season, under UKA Rules on all weather tracks (Note: THE TRIPLE JUMP RULE STATES 7m BOARD MINIMUM)
4. A Standardised programme containing timetable, lane draw, match scoring system, Club Colours and a synopsis of rules shall be used at all meetings.
5. The scoring system for ALL events, A & B and Relays shall be: 9,7,6,5,4,3,2,1. The league scoring in each match shall be 8 points for the winning team, 7pts for second and so on down to 1pt for the eighth place.
6. The winner of each division shall be the team obtaining the highest aggregate of league points. In the event of a tie, the team with the highest number of event points shall be given the higher place. If a tie still remains, the team which placed higher in more matches shall be given the higher position.
7. At the end of each season, the top two clubs in Div. 2,3 & 4 shall be promoted. The bottom two clubs in Div.1, 2 & 3 shall be relegated (except as provided in Rule 9). The bottom 2 clubs in Div 4 shall compete in the Qualifying Match against the leading clubs outside the League.
8. In September each year a qualifying match shall be held and the leading two clubs in that match shall compete in Div 4 the following season. The Qualifying Match shall involve the highest placed Club which wishes to compete, from each of the Scottish, Northern, Midland, Southern and Welsh leagues. Additional Clubs may apply and after a “Paper Match” between the applicants those placed highest can be offered available places. In the event of a tie in either the Paper Match or the Qualifying Match the club placed highest in the greater number of events shall be placed highest. If a tie remains, the Club placed highest in the 4 x 400 relay shall be given the higher position.
9. In the event of a Club not competing in a fixture, or contesting fewer than 17 events (1/2 of the programme), the Club shall immediately and without regard to divisional status, be obliged to take part in the Qualifying Competition for the following seasons Div 4 representation. To accommodate such action, relegation will be reduced as required. If the defaulting occurs in either the 1st or 2nd matches, the Club has no right to further participation in the League prior to the Qualifier.
10. If, by events outside its control, a club is prevented from reaching the venue of a match in time to fulfill the conditions of Rule 9, then the Club may appeal to the League Management Committee, who shall have the power to waive Rule 9. Its decision is FINAL.
11. Clubs taking part in the Qualifier shall pay a fee of £50 unless they are a member of the League.
12. The host Club is responsible for the provision of Senior Officials and Assistants. Except in the case of joint fixtures held in conjunction with the BAL, where officials will be organised by league officers, the visiting Clubs must provide four officials (if possible 1 Track, 1 Timekeeper and 2 Field). Names and Qualifications shall be sent to the Host Club at least seven days prior to the match. 10 Points will be deducted for each missing official. The host club must ensure that the Referees are aware of the rules of the UKWAL.
13. The meeting start time may be varied from that shown in the programme if all Clubs agree.
14. Only 1st Claim members and Higher Competition Athletes (HCA’s) are allowed in the UKWAL. No more than 4 HCA’s are allowed to compete for a club in any 1 match. All athletes must be registered with the Registration Secretary at least 4 weeks prior to the first competition of the season. A further 2 athletes may be registered 1 week prior to the 1st match. Between matches, additional athletes may be registered up to 1 week prior to the following match.
15. If an athlete who is not eligible, competes in a league event, ALL points for that event (A & B string) awarded to her Club shall be forfeited.
16. A pre arranged Lane Draw and Field Event Order of Competition shall be used.
17. Each event shall consist of A & B Strings, the better performer must be nominated “A”. Team Managers are responsible for implementing this Rule. Separate non-scoring races will be held at 100m & 400m. Competitors in these races must be members of those Clubs competing in that match. In special circumstances guest competitors may be allowed, however, this will be at the sole discretion of the League Chairman and League Secretary. Athletes, whether competing as an official entrant or as a guest, can only compete in one UKWAL match in any given round.
18. In Field events each competitor shall have 3 trials (Except High Jump & Pole Vault). The leading 8 competitors will then have a further 3 trials.
19. Club vests must be worn, points will be deducted for failure to do so.
20. “A” String to wear single digit numbers, “B” String to wear double digit.
21. A & B in field events declared by the result of the competition. This also applies to the 1500m and 3000m which will be run as combined A & B races.
22. Athletes are restricted to three events excluding relays and non-scoring events. Seniors only may compete, except in the Qualifying Match where any number of 2nd year U17’s may compete. A Senior is defined as over 17 years of age on 31st August/1st September in the year of competition.
23. NOT IN USE.
24. IN THE POLE VAULT THE OPENING HEIGHT SHALL BE 2m10 AND WILL PROGRESS BY 20cm EACH TIME UP TO 2m70 AND THEREAFTER BY 10cm.
25. IN THE HIGH JUMP THE OPENING HEIGHT SHALL BE 1m25 WITH PROGRESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH UKA RULES.
26. Team declarations to be made 30 minutes before the start of the meeting. Any alterations must be made before the event begins. First and Surnames please. 27. Only Athletes, Officials & Team Managers allowed on the field during the match.
28. On receipt of a message that a club has been unavoidably delayed, the start of the meeting will be delayed 30 minutes if a majority of team managers agree to it.
29. In the event of a match being abandoned, the scores shall be, as at the time of the abandonment, providing not less than 12 events have been completed, otherwise no scores for match shall be recorded.
30. The host Club must send the Team declaration sheets, a set of track slips and field cards and Two sets of result sheets to Hon Results Secretary. In addition a copy of the results must be sent to the Secretary. These items to arrive within 48 hours of the match. HOST CLUBS MUST TELEPHONE Athletics Weekly with the result on the evening of the match.
31. All protests or objections, excluding matters relating to eligibility, shall be the sole responsibility of the appropriate Referee and must be resolved by the end of the day of the competition as per Rule 106 of UKA Rules of Competition.
32. Any available sponsorship money will be distributed to the clubs to help offset travel expenses and track hire. In addition sponsorship money will be used to cover league administration costs as determined by the executive committee. Venues should be arranged so travelling distances are as equal as possible.
33. One representative of each club shall be required to attend the AGM, together with the Officers and Divisional Secretaries.
34. The Hon Secretaries of the constituent members of the UKA Women’s Leagues shall be invited to attend the AGM as shall representatives of UKA and AAA of E.