SWAL - SouthWest Athletics League
Taunton AC are currently in Division 1 of the Southwest (Track & Field) Athletics League, having been promotedto the top division just a few years ago. SWAL organises a series of matches between all eight clubs in this Division between April to September each year. During 2009 TAC for the first time in our history won the league overall (click here for fuller report and fixture results see below)
For an outline on how the League operates, and guidance for athletes, clubs and offcials wishing to participate read more below:
How the League works
The Role of the Club
The Role of the Athlete
SWAL 2009 Fixtures Dates & 2009 Results:
| Date | Venue | Program | See Team Manager re selection |
| Sun19th April | Yeovil | Match 1 - Prog. A | Results |
| Sun24th May | Exeter | Match 2 - Prog. B | Results |
| Sun 7 June | Carn Brea | CUP Match | Results |
| Sun 5th July | Exeter | Match 3 - Prog. A | Results |
| Sun 6th Sept. | Exeter | Match 4 - Prog. B | Results |
KEY POINTS – HOW THE LEAGUE WORKS
- The South West League is the only League solely for clubs from the South West.
- There are two divisions with 8 clubs in Div 1 and 9 in Div 2 covering the counties of
- There are just four Sunday meets each year, held between late April and early September; and 1 Cup Meet usually held in the middle.
- The venues vary between Yeovil and
- The league caters for male and female athletes in the following age groups: U13, U15: U17; U20(men only) and Senior Men & Women.
- The events on offer for each age group change slightly from the A and B programmes which are alternated between fixtures.
- Two athletes compete in each event for each age group – A and B string plus up to 2 guests are allowed per event. U17W and U20M only A string.
- Points are scored in the A string as follows: 13 for a win, 12 for second, 11 for third etc. B string is 12 for a win, 11 for second etc. No points for guests.
- NOTE: If an A string athlete has to withdraw for any reason, the B string competitor must move up to take his place in order to score. ie. the B string performance will only count if an A string has also competed.
- Teams are also awarded extra points for providing the required number of qualified officials, and are expected to officiate events as per a programme. Results are calculated per age group but it is the overall total which counts. Cups are awarded to the winning age group/club on an annual basis (Oct/Nov).
- Dates of fixtures are advertised from March in the newsletter, at training and on the web site.
- Verbal reminders are made at club sessions in the run up to each fixture, and a list for athletes is available there to sign up.
- All athletes who are old enough to compete are encouraged to do so, either as scoring athletes or guests. The League is the perfect opportunity for beginners to compete for the first time.
- Athletes are asked for confirmation of their availability and various phone calls are made by the team managers to chase up athletes in the week before the competition.
- Team managers then select events for athletes – sometimes this has to be changed on the day because of last minute withdrawals.
- Depending upon the venue and numbers we also try to help out with transport, arrange lifts.
- On the day we aim to get to the venue at 45 minutes before the first event .
- Letters and pins are given out on the day. Generally T is for A string, TT for B string. Guests wear numbers; but note some variation in numbering where U20's compete with Seniors.
- The club has to provide a number of officials for different events throughout the day and once a year we host a fixture which means we need even more helpers.
- To make a commitment to compete for the club in all four fixtures where possible.
- To contact the team manager for your age group to confirm your availability for selection at least by the Wednesday before the competition. PLEASE REMEMBER IT’S JUST ONE PHONE CALL FOR YOU TO MAKE BUT SEVERAL FOR THE TEAM MANAGER – TRY TO CONTACT
- To show a willingness to compete in events other than your best or favourite
- Sometimes we might have four athletes all wanting to run the 100 metres in the same age group. Our job is to put out our strongest team and with only two scoring places available per event you may be asked to do a different event or stand in at the last minute if someone injures themselves on the day.
- To turn up to the competition and to your events in good time, and stay to the end of the competition for the RELAYS.
Southwest Athletics League 2008 - Summary & Results:
The fourth and final Match of the League took place on Sunday 7th September at Exeter Arena. Well Done to those of you who competed on Sunday or during previous matches this season. We finished 4th in the final fixture, and also secured a mid table position in the League series overall. Particular congratulations to our U15 Boys, who with 2nd overall were our highest placed age group team; and also to the League 2008 winners Yeovil. For full details of all results, including individual performances and age group team scores select from the spreadsheets below.
SWAL 2008 LEAGUE Results:
| Sunday 20th April | Yeovil | Match 1 Results - Prog A |
| Sunday 25th May | Exeter | Match 2 Results - Prog B |
| Sunday 6th July | Exeter | Match 3 Results - Prog A |
| Sunday 7th September | Exeter | Match 4 Results - Prog B |