Irish Schools’ Athletic Association RULES OF COMPETITION RULES OF COMPETITION

Irish Schools’ Athletic Association

RULES OF COMPETITION RULES OF COMPETITION

1. RULES:
The I.A.A.F. Rule-book shall be used unless otherwise stated. In the event of any conflict between the rules of the I.A.A.F. and the rules set out herein, these rules shall have precedence.

2. AGE-GROUPS
Age groups for boys and girls shall be as follows:

Minor Under 14 on 1st July in the year of competition
Junior: Under 15 on 1st July in the year of competition;
Intermediate: Under 17 on 1st July in the year of competition;
Senior: Under 19 on 1st January in the year of competition.


3. DRUGS:
(a) The Association is bound by the IAAF Rules on the control of drug abuse.
(b) Athletes taking part in our competitions may be tested for drugs.
(c) The Association shall be entitled to enforce any suspension imposed by another sports Association.

4. DRESS:
Acceptable dress is a white or plain singlet, or a school singlet. Club singlets, International singlets, fancy T-shirts or unacceptable logos may not be worn. No ipods or any other communication device may be used. Athletes may not run in bare feet.

5. ORGANISATION:
The Irish Schools’ Athletic Association is the governing body for schools’ athletics on the island. All decisions made at the Annual General Meeting of the Irish Schools’ Athletic Association shall apply to all its activities, including regions/districts and provinces.

The island shall be divided into regions/districts. There shall be 14 regions/districts as follows:
Connacht: North Connacht and South Connacht.
Leinster: North Leinster, South Leinster, East Leinster, West Leinster.
Munster: North Munster, South Munster, East Munster.
Ulster: A District, B District, C District, D District, E District.

Qualification from each region/district for cross country and track & field should be based on the number of regions/districts in a province and should include as many as is practical.

Each Region/District shall have an executive committee made up of at least a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. No one person may occupy more than one position on the committee. Each Region/District shall hold an Annual General Meeting at which the business of the region/district shall be discussed. The financial statement of the region/district shall be presented at the meeting and sent on to the provincial treasurer.
Each Province shall have an executive committee elected each year at the Annual General Meeting of the province. Each Province shall have an executive committee made up of at least a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. No one person may occupy more than one position on the committee. Each Province shall have a Child Welfare Officer elected at the AGM. The financial statement of the province shall be presented at the meeting and sent on to the ISAA Financial Director.





Cross Country ChampionshipsCross Country Championships

1. DATE:
The All-Ireland Cross Country Championships shall be held on a date in March approved a year in advance by the Irish A.G.M. The championships, where possible, shall be hosted by each Province in turn and shall start at 1pm. Where possible the championships shall be held in conjunction with the Universities’ Championships and at a venue approved by both associations.

The provincial championships will be held at least two weeks prior to the All-Ireland Championships and each Region/District shall hold their championships before the provincial.

2. DISTANCES
The distances for the All-Ireland shall be as follows:

Minor Girls 2,000m Minor Boys 2,500m
Junior Girls 2,500m Junior Boys 3,500m
Intermediate Girls 3,500m Intermediate Boys 5,000m
Senior Girls 2,500m Senior Boys 6,000 - 6,500m

The distances for the provinces and regions/districts may be slightly less but should still be recognised cross country distances.

3. THE COURSE
The following are the recommended procedures:
1. The course should be marked with ropes or tapes. It is advisable to tape all parts of the course on the inside.
2. A start-line of adequate width should be roped into pens, one for each team, and at least four for individual runners. In the All-Ireland Championships there shall be two pens per province for the individual runners.
3. There should be a clear run of at least 200 metres before any turn or obstruction at the start. 4. There should be at least a 200m clear run into the finish.
5. The finishing-funnel should be adequate for a race of 200 runners finishing close together. The funnel should be doubled if necessary.
6. A minimum of 6 stewards should be at the finish line to ensure that good order is maintained.

4. TEAMS:
In the Minor, Junior, Intermediate and Senior a Boys’ team consists of up to eight runners, of whom the first four shall count.

In the Minor, Junior, Intermediate and Senior a Girls’ team consists of up to six runners, of whom the first three shall count.





5. RULES
1. Athletes must run in their own age-group except in the team event where one athlete from the age group immediately below may complete a team.
2. No athlete may run in more than one race.
3. In the event of a tie in the team competition, the last scoring runner who finishes nearer the first place shall determine the result.

6. ENTRIES:
For the All-Ireland each Province may nominate the following for each Race:
(a) The first three teams in the Provincial Championship;
(b) Any runner who finished in the first fifteen in the Provincial Championship.

In the Provincial and Region/District Championships a similar qualification system should be put in place to maximise the numbers taking part.

Qualification from each Region/District for Cross Country should be based on the number of Regions/Districts in a province and should include as many as is practical.

7. SUBSTITUTIONS:
(a) A school may make substitutions within its own team.
(b) Only a Province may substitute for an entire team.
(c) Substitutions should be handed to the organisers in writing at least one hour before the start of the race.
(d) In exceptional circumstances the Irish or Provincial, Executive may invite an athlete or athletes to participate in the competition.

8. NUMBERS:
Each athlete must wear on their front the number provided, secured by four safety-pins.

9. PROTESTS:
All protests must be made verbally by a school representative or an official of the province or Region/District before the presentation of medals and then in writing within 30 minutes of the end of the specific event. Schools should be told of this procedure in advance by the Secretaries.

JURY OF APPEAL:
In the All-Ireland if either party engaged in dealing with a protest is dissatisfied, the matter shall be referred to a Jury of Appeal, consisting of one representative of each Province and the President of the ISAA. The decision of the Jury of Appeal shall be final.
In the Province if either party engaged in dealing with a protest is dissatisfied, the matter shall be referred to a Jury of Appeal, consisting of one representative of each Region/District and the Chairman of the Province. The decision of the Jury of Appeal shall be final.


10. RESULTS:
The organisers should make every effort to provide a full set of results for distribution on the day of the Championships.

11. TROPHIES:
In the All-Ireland the winning team in each race receives a trophy. Medals are awarded to the first three teams and the first six individuals.
The Brother Clarke Trophy is awarded to the Boys’ team with the lowest score of the day, and the Maeve Kyle Trophy to the Girls’ team with the lowest score.
Each Province may award trophies to the winning teams in the provincial championships.







Track & Field ChampionshipsCross Country Championships
1. DATE AND VENUE:
The All-Ireland Championships should be held on a date to be approved a year in advance by the Irish A.G.M. The date will normally be the Saturday immediately before the Certificate Examinations in the Republic of Ireland.

The Provincial Championships should normally be held two weeks before this date and the Region/District Championships should be held two weeks before the provincial championships.

2. PROGRAMME:
The provisional timetable for the Championships will be circulated on the day of the Cross-Country Championships.
Each province should circulate a timetable at least one month before their championships.

3. The events shall be:

Girls Junior: 100m 200m 800m 1500m 4 x 100m Relay 75m Hurdles High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault Shot (3.25Kg) Discus (0.75kg) Javelin (500g) Hammer(3.25g) 1200m Walk
Under 16: 1 mile
Intermediate: 100m 200m 300m 800m 1500m 3000m 80m Hurdles 4 x 100m Relay 300m Hurdles High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault Shot (4Kg) Discus (1Kg) Javelin (600g) Hammer (4kg) 2000m Walk.
Senior: 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m 3000m 100m Hurdles 400m Hurdles 4 x 100m Relay High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault Shot (4Kg) Discus (1Kg) Javelin (600g) Hammer (4Kg) 3000m Walk.
Wheelchair: 100m Shot Discus.

Boys Junior: 100m 200m 800m 1500m 80m Hurdles 4 x 100m Relay High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault Shot(4Kg) Discus(1Kg) Javelin(600g) Hammer(4Kg) 1200m Walk.
Under 16: 1 mile
Intermediate: 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m 3000m 1500m Steeplechase 100m Hurdles 400m Hurdles 4 x 100m Relay High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault Shot(5Kg) Discus(1.5Kg) Javelin (700g) Hammer (5Kg) 2000m Walk.
Senior: 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m 5000m 2000m Steeplechase 110m Hurdles 400m Hurdles 4 x 100m Relay High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Shot(6Kg) Discus(1.75Kg) Javelin (800g) Pole Vault Hammer (6Kg) 3000m Walk.
Wheelchair: 100m Shot Discus

The recommended events for Minor shall be as follows:
Girls Minor: 80m 800m 1500m 4 x 100m Relay 75m Hurdles High Jump Long Jump Shot (2.72Kg Javelin (500g)
Boys Minor: 80m 800m 1500m 75m Hurdles 4 x 100m Relay High Jump Long Jump Shot(3.25Kg) Javelin(500g))



3. SPECIFICATIONS: HURDLES:
DISTANCE HEIGHT NO.APPROACH INTERVAL RUN-IN
BOYS Minor 75m 76.2cm 8 11.50m 7.50m 11.00m
Junior 80m 83.8cm 8 12.00m 8.00m 12.00m
Inter. 100m 91.4cm 10 13.00m 8.5m 10.5m
400m 83.8cm 10 45.00m 35.00m 40.00m
Senior 110m 99.0cm 10 13.72m 9.14m 14.02m
400m 91.4cm 10 45.00m 35.00m 40.00m
GIRLS Minor 75m 76.2cm 8 11.50m 7.50m 11.00m
Junior 75m 76.2cm 8 11.50m 7.50m 11.00m
Inter. 80m 76.2cm 8 12.00m 8.00m 12.00m
300m 76.2cm 7 50.00m 35.00m 40.00m
Senior 100m 83.8cm 10 13.00m 8.5m 10.5m
400m 76.2cm 10 45.00m 35.00m 40.00m

STEEPLECHASE: 2000m: There shall be 18 hurdles and 5 waterjumps
1500m: There shall be 13 hurdles and 3 waterjumps

WEIGHTS: SHOT DISCUS JAVELIN HAMMER
BOYS Minor 3.25kg 0.75kg 500g
Junior 4.00kg 1.00kg 600g 4.00kg
Inter. 5.00kg 1.50kg 700g 5.00kg
Senior 6.00kg 1.75kg 800g 6.00kg
GIRLS Minor 2.72kg 0.75kg 500g
Junior 3.25kg 0.75kg 500g 3.25kg
Inter. 4.00kg 1.00kg 600g 4.00kg
Senior 4.00kg 1.00kg 600g 4.00kg

4. CONDUCT OF EVENTS:
Athletes are required to check-in 15 minutes before the designated time for their event. Failure to do so may mean that the athlete may not be allowed to participate in the event.
Athletes reporting late in throwing or jumping events shall be allowed only whatever trials remain for the other athletes.
In the All-Ireland the 800 metre events will be run in lanes for the first bend.
In Throwing or Jumping for Distance, each competitor shall have three attempts, and the best six competitors two more attempts.
Personal throwing-implements must be submitted to the organisers beforehand for weighing and inspection.
The Rule for Starting will be Rule 162 of the old IAAF Handbook.
In the High Jump the bar shall be raised by 5cm twice and thereafter by 3cm.

STARTING HEIGHTS:
Girls' HJ Boys' HJ Boys’ PV Girls’ PV
Junior 1.35m 1.45m 2.30m 1.50m
Intermediate 1.40m 1.55m 2.75m 1.80m
Senior 1.40m 1.60m 2.80m 1.80m

N.B. Rule 182 s10 and Rule 183 s12 of the I.A.A.F. Handbook 2008, referring to specifications for international competition landing mats for High Jump and Pole Vault shall not apply. Officials shall ensure that landing mats in these events shall be adequate for the age and standard of the competitors.

5. ENTRIES:
In the All-Ireland each Province may nominate THREE competitors in each event, except for track events of 400m or less, in which TWO may be entered.

In the Provincial championships each Region./District may nominate THREE competitors in each event, except for track events of 400m or less, in which TWO may be entered.


EXTRA ENTRIES:
In the All-Ireland where space permits, an extra entry may be submitted to the Director of the Meeting in order to resolve a tie or some other unusual circumstance at Provincial level. It is normal to notify the other Provinces through the Irish Executive.

In the Provincial Championships where space permits, an extra entry may be submitted to the Director of the Meeting in order to resolve a tie or some other unusual circumstance at Region/District level.

RELAY ENTRIES:
The names of each Relay team in the order of running shall be handed to the Marksman before the start of each race.

RESTRICTIONS:
(a) No competitor may compete in more than two events, plus a Relay.
(b) No School may have more than two competitors in any event.
(c) Each competitor must compete in their own age-group except in the Relay where one athlete from the age group immediately below may complete a team.
(d) In the Minor and Junior age groups an athlete may not compete in two or more middle distance events.
(e) In the Junior Girls’ and Junior Boys’ Triple Jump the athlete must start the run-up no further than 12 metres from the board.

(f) Leinster Schools’ only: An Under 16 athlete may choose to compete at U/16 or U/17 level and must remain in that category for individual events only.


6. NUMBERS:
Each athlete must wear the correct number, secured by four safety-pins. Runners in events up to 400m must wear two numbers.

7. SUBSTITUTIONS:
In the All-Ireland these may be submitted only by the Provincial Secretary to the Director of the Meeting. The substitute athlete, where eligible, will receive a special number.

In the Provincial Championships these may be submitted only by the Region/District Secretary to the Director of the Meeting. The substitute athlete, where eligible, will receive a special number.

8. SCORING
Scoring in all events:
1st 9 pts., 2nd 7pts., 3rd 6pts., 4th 5pts., 5th 4pts., 6th 3pts., 7th 2pts., 8th 1pt.

9. PROTESTS
In the All-Ireland all protests must be made verbally by a school representative or an official of the province before the presentation of medals and then in writing within 30 minutes of the end of the specific event. Schools should be told of this procedure in advance by the Provincial Secretaries.
In the Provincial Championships all protests must be made verbally by a school representative before the presentation of medals and then in writing within 30 minutes of the end of the specific event. Schools should be told of this procedure in advance by the Provincial Secretaries.


JURY OF APPEAL:
If either party engaged in dealing with a protest is dissatisfied, the matter shall be referred to a Jury of Appeal, consisting of one representative of each Province and the President of the ISAA. The decision of the Jury of Appeal shall be final.

In the Provincial Championships if either party engaged in dealing with a protest is dissatisfied, the matter shall be referred to a Jury of Appeal, consisting of one representative of each Region/District and the Chairman of the Province. The decision of the Jury of Appeal shall be final.



10. MEDALS
Medals shall be awarded to the first three in each event.

TROPHIES
In the All-Ireland trophies are awarded:
To the winning school in each age group
and to the runner-up in the Senior Boys’ event
to the winning team in each Relay;
to the winners of the following events:
Senior Boys’ 5000m, Shot, Discus, Pole Vault, High Jump;
Intermediate Boys’ Shot;
and for the best performance in the Girls’ Long Jump.



Rules of Competition for the Tailteann Interprovincial
“Held in the perpetual memory of Jack Sweeney”

1. ENTRIES:
This is a competition for boys and girls Under 17 years of age on 1st September in the year of competition. It is an Interprovincial competition.

2. EVENTS:
Girls’ - Inter: 100m 200m 300m 800m 1500m 3000m 80m Hurdles 4 x 100m Relay
4x300m Relay 300m Hurdles High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault Shot (4Kg) Discus (1Kg) Javelin (600g) Hammer(4kg) 2000m Walk.

Boys’ - Inter: 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m 3000m 1500m Steeplechase 100m Hurdles 400m Hurdles 4 x 100m Relay 4x400m Relay High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Shot(5Kg) Discus(1.5Kg) Javelin (700g) Pole Vault Hammer (5Kg) 2000m Walk.

3. SPECIFICATIONS:
HURDLES:
DISTANCE HEIGHT NO. APPROACH INTERVAL RUN-IN
BOYS Inter. 100m 91.4cm 10 13.00m 8.5m 10.5m
400m 83.8cm 10 45.00m 35.00m 40.00m
GIRLS Inter. 80m 76.2cm 8 12.00m 8.00m 12.00m
300m 76.2cm 7 50.00m 35.00m 40.00m

STEEPLECHASE: 1500m: There shall be 13 hurdles and 3 waterjumps

WEIGHTS: SHOT DISCUS JAVELIN HAMMER
BOYS Inter. 5.00kg 1.50kg 700g 5.00kg
GIRLS Inter. 4.00kg 1.00kg 600g 4.00kg

4. CONDUCT OF EVENTS:
The Rules applying are as for the Track & Field event except the following:
In Throwing or Jumping for Distance, each competitor shall have five attempts.
STARTING HEIGHTS:
Girls' High Jump Boys' High Jump Boys’ PV Girls’ PV
1.40m 1.55m 2.75m 1.50m

5. ENTRIES:
Each Province may nominate THREE competitors in each event, except for track events of 400m or less, in which TWO may be entered.

6. TROPHIES:
The following Trophies will be awarded after the event:
Fr. Lonergan Trophy - for the best boy and girl athlete competing at the Interprovincial.
Michael Farnan Memorial Trophy - to the best boy or girl athlete in the Long Jump event. Harold Osborn Trophy - to the best boy or girl in the High Jump event.
Jack Sweeney Memorial Trophy - to the best boy or girl in 1500m event
Roisin O’Callaghan Memorial Trophy - to the best boy or girl in the walks event.
Rules of Competition for the Schools’ Combined Events

1. ENTRIES:
This is a competition for boys and girls Under 15, 17 years of age on 1st September and Under 19 on 1st January in the year of competition.
Competitors must compete in their own age-group;
Each Province may nominate four competitors in each age-group.

2. EVENTS:
Girls: Junior: 80m Hurdles, High Jump, Shot, Long Jump, 800m
Intermediate: 80m Hurdles, High Jump, Shot, Long Jump, 800m
Senior: 100m Hurdles, High Jump, Shot, Long Jump, 800m
Boys: Junior: 200m 80m Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot, High Jump, 800m
Intermediate: 200m 100m Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot, High Jump, 800m
Senior: 200m 110m Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot, High Jump, 800m

ORDER OF EVENTS:
Where possible, all age-group competitions will begin with the sprint hurdles races. All age-group competitions will end with the 800m races. Where possible, two throwing events or two jumping events will not be held in succession.

3. SCORING:
Performances will be scored using the I.A.A.F. scoring tables for the particular event, with the exception of the 80m Hurdles, where separate tables will be used, and the Intermediate Boys’ 100m Hurdles, where the Girls’ 100m Hurdles tables will be used.

4. EVENT RULES WHICH DIFFER FROM INDIVIDUAL EVENTS:
(a) In all Track Events each athlete will be permitted two false starts with disqualification on a third offence.
(b) Each competitor will be allowed a maximum of three trials in each of the Field Events, except the High Jump.
(c) In the High Jump the bar will be raised by increments of 3cm only. The starting height will be at the discretion of the competitors.
(d) In the 800m there will be one race for each age-group.

5. FAILING TO SCORE IN AN EVENT:
(a) If a competitor attempts an event and fails to score:
e.g. falls in the Hurdles or has 3 No Jumps etc. he/she may progress to the next event in his/her competition.
(b) If a competitor makes no attempt at an event, he/she will be deemed to have withdrawn from the competition, and will not be permitted to take any further part in the competition.
(c) If a competitor starts in the 800m but does not finish, he/she will receive 0 points for that event, but will be placed according to his/her points total.

6. TIES FOR ANY PLACE:
In the event of two or more competitors having the same final score, the tie shall be resolved as follows: The winner shall be the person scoring higher in a majority of events. If this fails to separate the competitors, the winner is the person with the highest points for any individual event.