Northern Ireland & Ulster Teams:

Purpose – The purpose of this competition, within the context of the Athletics NI Performance Pathway, is to prepare athletes for future international competition and athletes with domestic international to encourage successful opportunities.

Places per events –We aim to select the best athletes across all events so there will be no limit on places per event. See standards table below. The overall team size is expected to be 10 athletes.

Expression of Interest – We require any interested athletes to submit an expression of interest using the link below before midday on the 10^th July 2024. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WILL BE A CONDITION OF SELECTION.

Expression of Interest Link – https://forms.gle/vVGxkPu3Us3jyxvK7

Selection Panel - Selections will be made by a panel nominated by the Athletics NI Selection Committee and shall be made up as follows:

1. A representative of the T&F Committee (Voting)
2. The Athletics NI Performance Pathway Manager (voting)
3. A representative of Ulster Athletics Council (voting)
4. An Independent Coach (voting)
5. Independent Chair (casting vote)

The chair of the selection panel may direct that assistance is sought (in a non-voting capacity) from anyone else that they feel may be of help. Any voting member of the Selection Panel shall declare any known conflict of interest in respect of any selection issue and shall not be entitled to vote on that issue.

Selection Criteria

1. In making selections, the panel will take account of the following criteria:

• Percentages of standard achieved in 2025
• UK Power of 10 ranking (including Ulster athletes from NI & Ulster rankings) based on performances in 2025

Please note that achieving a standard does not guarantee a place on the team and, and the overall number of places is limited, selectors may use their discretion when making decisions.

2. Final Selection will be made on Thursday 10^th

3. The standards for this event are listed below. To be valid standards must have been achieved in competitions after 1st January 2025.

Under 20 Competitors must be 17, 18 or 19 years of age on 31st December 2025

For any queries regarding the U20 International please contact Performance Pathway Manager Tom Reynolds tom.reynolds@athleticsni.org

Appeals Process - There shall be no right of appeal to the selection made by the Panel.

De-Selection Process - De-selection of an athlete may occur following;

1. Failure to achieve the standard fitness testing protocols
2. Failure to adhere to the Athletics NI athlete code of conduct

In the event that an athlete sustains an injury following acceptance of their position on the team, they are required to inform the ANI Performance Lead immediately.

Confirmation of Team Staff  - The team staff positions will be filled as required to support the team and will be confirmed by the Panel following the selection of the athletes.

Clean Sport - All athletes competing at this U20 International shall be deemed to have made themselves familiar with, and agreed to be bound by, the UKA Anti-Doping Rules and to submit to the authority of UK Anti-Doping in the application and enforcement of the Anti-Doping Rules.

The UKA Anti-Doping Rules apply to entrants participating in the sport of Athletics, for 12 months from the date of the entry to the event, whether or not the athlete is a citizen of, or resident in, the UK.

To check the status of registered medicines, please visit www.globaldro.com. For information on the Clean Athletics programme, testing procedures and for a copy of the full UKA Anti-Doping rules, please visit www.uka.org.uk/cleanathletics. For general Clean Athletics queries, please contact enquiries@cleanathletics.org.

Right to amend - Athletics NI reserves the right to amend this Selection Policy at its sole discretion and will make any amended version publicly available (including the date on which the amendment was made) at www.athleticsni.org.