IMRA Junior League
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Phil behan | Mar 25 2025, 5:25pm | Hi folks Some exciting news for IMRA juniors this season. We are trialing an IMRA Junior League this year for all our junior members. We are hoping that the Junior League might encourage more junior competitors into the hills, and perhaps allow for more competition between juniors at races. We are also looking to better align the IMRA racing calendar alongside the juvenile track and cross-country calendar to facilitate more attendance from some of our teenage competitors who also race at club level. We have chosen a geographical spread of Dublin and Wicklow races to get started, but we are hoping this also might take off in the other IMRA regions in the future. Most importantly, there will be decent end of league prizes for top 3 individual Male and Female competitors from the 2 category’s (M/F14 and M/FJ), so get the training in early ! Entry conditions below: • Must be a currently registered IMRA member. • Must hold a valid race entry for each event that you choose to race. • Must follow all IMRA com competition rules, race organisers instructions, and have the mandatory kit for each race you choose to enter. • Must complete a minimum of 4 races from 12 races doing the short course only to get a score (See my response to this thread below for 12 selected races) • Must be accompanied by an adult if aged younger than 10 years old on the day of the race. For those directing races, fear not! There will be no additional burden on you. The junior race can run as normal for each event as per IMRA competition rules. Individual prizes can be awarded as per previous race practices. The overall scoring system to decide the Junior League winners will be done by myself - taking the results data at the end of the season - so nothing further required on a results front. I will will also try to make a few of the races so will be able to assist with some of the junior races. If anyone has any questions, just shout here, and spread the word amongst your clubs if you can. Thanks all Phil |
| Phil behan | Mar 25 2025, 5:28pm | . |
| John Murphy74 | Mar 25 2025, 5:31pm | Great news. Is there a list of the 12 races.? |
| Phil behan | Mar 25 2025, 5:32pm | See 12 races from the calendar below with 4 races to score doing the short / junior course only. 1: Wed Apr 23 7:30 PM - Belmont and Little Sugar Loaf – Wicklow 2: Wed Apr 30 7:30 PM – Carrickgollogan - Dublin 3: Wed May 14 - 7:30 PM - Scarr – Wicklow 4: Wed May 21 - 7:30 PM - Prince William's Seat - Wicklow 5: Wed May 28 - 7:30 PM - Howth Summer - Dublin 6: Wed Jun 4 - 7:30 PM – Brockagh – Wicklow 7: Wed Jun 18 7:30 PM - Trooperstown Hill - Wicklow 8: Wed Jun 25 - 7:30 PM - Glen of the Downs - Wicklow 9: Wed Jul 2- 7:30 PM – Ballinastoe - Wicklow 10: Wed Jul 23 - 7:30 PM - Church Mountain - Wicklow 11: Wed Jul 30 - 7:30 PM – Seahan - Dublin 12: Wed Aug 6 - 7:30 PM - Bray Head - Dublin |
| Phil behan | Mar 25 2025, 5:39pm | Can the mods merge post 1 and 2 into 1 post ? Not sure why it came out in 2 separate posts. Thanks all. |
| Sean Forsyth | Mar 25 2025, 5:56pm | Well done Phil, that's an absolutely fantastic initiative and an exciting venture for IMRA. |
| Niamh O'Ceallaigh | Mar 25 2025, 10:34pm | Great idea! Is there a finisher prize for those who complete 4 of the races to help motivate those who might not be competing for the top spots? |
| Keelin Holmes | Mar 25 2025, 10:48pm | Great initiative! Really looking forward to getting the kids out on the hills! They already net a few buddies at the weekend! Thank you ! |
| Phil behan | Mar 27 2025, 9:25am | Thank all @Niamh not sure yet, will see how the league progresses as its just in a trial phase at the moment. If the numbers are not huge then I'll explore a potential 4 race finisher prize. Nice idea and good way to motivate the juniors who may not be at the front of the field. |
| Brian Kitson | Mar 27 2025, 1:35pm | Well done Phil. This is indeed fantastic news. I remember last year on the forum you suggested that a way to increase junior participation would be to create a league for juniors and what did you do? No requests for the Committee or others to follow up on your idea, you just made it happen yourself (I'm sure with some assistance from the Committee and others). This is IMRA at it's best. Good on you, hope your league it's a great success. |
| Peter O'Farrell | Mar 27 2025, 2:31pm | I whole heartedly agree with everything Brian has just said. All of it. Well done Phil and others on this great initiative. Juniors are the future of any sporting organisation. |
