Heaton Harriers are directly affiliated to the national governing body for the sport in England – ‘England Athletics.’
England Athletics is arranged into nine regions, and all affiliated clubs are allocated to one of these regions – for Heaton Harriers this is ‘England Athletics – North East.’
As an affiliated member, we have a democratic representation at both regional and national level. England Athletics also organise a national athlete registration programme, and all registered members of Heaton Harriers are given a unique registration number that is to be used for such tasks as, for example, race entries.
Affiliation to England Athletics is renewed annually which Heaton Harriers do on your behalf as part of your membership fee.
England Athletics is one of four national governing bodies, along with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, who are represented on the governing body for the sport in the United Kingdom – ‘UK:Athletics.’
In turn, UK:Athletics are represented by the governing body for the sport in Europe – the European Athletics Association (EAA) and thence to the World governing body – the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Closer to home, Heaton Harriers are also members of three organisations that provide opportunities for athletes to compete. The North East Harrier League is a group of local, North East, clubs that provide a competitive series of fixtures every autumn/winter. The North East Athletics League offers club members the opportunity to compete in track and field events during the spring and summer months. Northern Athletics is an organisation that acts as a competition provider, across the disciplines, for clubs in the north of England.
There are many athletics clubs in the North East of England, and over the course of a year, most of these clubs organise competitive fixtures – in road running, in cross-country and in track & field. Most of these events are open to members of other clubs, and for many club members, there are competitive opportunities almost every week throughout the year.
