A new 8 event bridging competition format called Super 8 has been piloted in 2009 with great success. Delivered outdoors, it is aimed at youngsters aged 12-14 (Key stages 3 and 4) but can be applied to older teenagers. It can be easily organised and delivered by teachers, coaches and volunteers in both school or club, and takes around 2 hours to complete. This makes it ideal for schools and clubs who have problems finding time to complete a traditional afternoon-long athletics match!

The team-based run, jump, throw format is fast and furious and is considered a “bridging event” as it transcends both Quadkids (four events) and the more formal “traditional” longer athletics format. Super 8 can be delivered in the local setting between clusters of schools and clubs with minimal support. We recommend schools and clubs work closely with each other to facilitate competitions. In time, we aim to evolve the competition pathway for Super 8 to include district, county and regional events.

What Does Super 8 Look Like?

• Four track events cover core disciplines of: short sprint, long sprint, hurdles and mid distance
• Four field events cover: two jumps and two throws (high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin)
• More complex/technical events such as triple jump, pole vault, hammer and discus are excluded
• Three relays (boys and girls 4 x 100m and mixed 8 x medley relay) means all 16 team members compete in a relay
• With eight core events and each athlete doing one track and one field event, there are two boys and two girls per event per team
• Two scoring athletes for each event for each team is the same system as ES Cup and traditional athletics
• A team of 16 will fit on standard school minibus
   
  

What are the events?

All age groups have the same core events of 100m, high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin and relays. Other events differ as follows:

• Super 8 Start (Under 13s/Year 7): 70m hurdles (girls) and 75m hurdles (boys), 200m and 800m
• Super 8 Junior (Under 15s/Years 8 and 9): 75m hurdles(girls) and 80m hurdles (boys), 300m and 1500m
• Super 8 Inter (Under 17s/Years 10 and 11): 80m hurdles(girls) and 100m hurdles (boys), 300m and 1500m