Masters (Veterans) athletics in Great Britain
The oldest organisation specifically catering for veteran athletes is the Veteran Athletic Club, which is based in the Home Counties, and was founded in 1931. The Northern Veterans Athletic Club was formed in 1968, following the example of the VAC, and was instrumental in the founding of the British Veterans Athletic Federation in 1976. The BVAF was established to provide administration and competition for the growing number of veteran athletes in the UK, and to co-ordinate the blossoming regional English clubs in the North East, Midland, Eastern, Southern Counties, South West and Isle of Man, and the organisations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The BVAF was renamed the British Masters Athletic Federation in 2003, following a growing trend in sport to adopt this title and remove the association with war veterans. The BMAF has its own website at www.bmaf.org.uk
In 1996 the Veteran Athletic Association of England was set up to provide administration for the English area veteran clubs. It hosts a series of Inter-Area matches, primarily a 10km Road Championship and an Inter-Area Track & Field Challenge. Its most prestigious task is the selection and management of the England teams for the annual British and Irish Masters International Cross Country, which is staged each year between the five Home Countries - England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Each country takes it in turn to host the event.
The BMAF promotes championship competitions each year at 5km, 10km, 10 Miles, Half Marathon, Marathon, Cross Country (Championship and Relay events), Track & Field (indoor and outdoor), and Road Relay. An increasing number of these events are Open to non-affiliated veterans (on additional payment of £2). Medals are awarded to the first three individuals in each 5-year age category and to teams in 10-year age groups. The BMAF also provides the team management and administration for entries into European and World Masters competitions held around the world by the European Veteran Athletic Association www.evaa.nu and the World Masters Athletics www.world-masters-athletics.org. The BMAF provides information and assistance with travel and accommodation to these events.
In order to take part in international events such as the European Veterans Non-Stadia Championships, and the few British Masters events that are not Open, athletes must be affiliated to the BMAF. Affiliation is by membership of an area club: in our case, the Northern Veterans would be the most obvious choice. This enables the BMAF to verify the entrants’ details and age categories through the area club’s membership database.
Membership of the Northern Veterans for Wesham members is Second Claim, and this does not affect First Claim status to Wesham. The Northern Veterans do have first claim members as well, as they are an athletic club in their own right. The British Masters has negotiated a special dispensation with UK Athletics whereby athletes can compete in their championships under their first claim colours and qualify for team medals, and also represent their area veteran club in Inter-Area competitions at the same time. Furthermore, if an athlete wishes to switch first claim, under UKA rules, their Second Claim club has automatic First Claim. This rule has been waived in the athlete’s favour regarding their veteran area club, and the athlete is free to join another UKA club as First Claim, retaining their veteran area club as Second Claim. For an application form to join the Northern Veterans Athletic Club Click Here.
A quarterly magazine ‘Masters Athletics’ is sent to all affiliated members of veteran area clubs, and a lottery and annual raffle are operated. The Northern Veterans also publish a quarterly newsletter for its members with details of fixtures and race results.
The Northern Veterans arrange their own championships at 10k, 10 Miles, Half Marathon, 20 Miles, Cross Country and Track and Field. Medals are awarded to the first three individuals in each 5-year age category and to teams in 10-year age groups. In addition, there is a social race each month, usually on the road or track, although two of the winter meetings are cross-country, and there is a track and field league and one trail race in the autumn. Although primarily social, there is an entry fee for these events (£3), prizes are awarded, and a handicap is run.
Written by: Alex Rowe
Submitted: 26th May 2005
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Website Editor