Age Group Rules

Athletics NI host a number of competition throughout the year, using both the Irish Age Group rules and the UK Athletics Age Group rules. Within the competition information for each event, it will be sitpulated which age groups area applicable. More details are listed below:

Irish Age Group Rules

There are currently five joint NI & Ulster Championships hosted by Athletics NI and the Ulster Athletics Council which run under Athletics Ireland Age Group rules:

1. Indoor U12-U19 Age Groups – Age 12-18
2. Outdoor U14-U20 Age Groups – Age 14-19
3. Children’s Games & U12, U13 Championships – Age 8-12
4. Even Age Group Cross Country Championships
5. Uneven Age Group Cross Country Championships

Age categories are calculated as age on 31st December in the year of competition. For example, if your athlete is 13, but turns 14 BEFORE 31st December, they would be classed as an U15 for this year’s competition.

For 2023 Competition Year

Age Groups	Year Born
U12	2012
U13	2011
U14	2010
U15	2009
U16	2008
U17	2007
U18	2006
U19	2005
U20	2004

 

For 2024 Competition Year

Age Groups	Year Born
U12	2013
U13	2012
U14	2011
U15	2010
U16	2009
U17	2008
U18	2007
U19	2006
U20	2005

UK Athletics Age Groups

There is currently one joint NI & Ulster Championships hosted by Athletics NI and the Ulster Athletics Council which runs under UK Athletics Age Group rules:

1. Combined Event Championships

Age categories are two year age bands, calculated as age on 31st August in the year of competition.

Category	Age Rule
U13	11 or 12 on 31st August 2023
U15	13 or 14 on 31st August 2023
U17	15 or 16 on 31st August 2023
U20	17, 18 or 19 on 31st August 2023
Senior	16 or over in the year of competition