Endurance Update
October 6, 2025
Sheila Atkinson
November 5, 2025<p> </p> <p><b>SAIL ( Scottish Indoor Athletics League)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Athletes from ages 9 - U20 compete in the indoor league which normally consists of 3 matches and is split into morning and afternoon sessions i.e the club will either do all events in the morning or all events in the afternoon so there is no waiting around all day.This event is held at the Emirates arena in Glasgow during the winter months. Athletes compete for points in various events in each age group and gender. Usually after the three initial matches the top teams will advance to the final where the athletes will compete for league titles. Two boys and two girls will be picked by the team manager for each event and the team will be selected according to our team selection policy. Please look out for any email sent by the club to ensure you do not miss the chance to compete. </span></p> <p><b>CSSAL ( Central and Southern Athletics League)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">VP-Glasgow are in Division 1 of the central and southern athletics league where two athletes are selected for each event. This league consists of 3 matches during the outdoor season and anyone from aged 9 right up to masters can compete in the league. This is a fantastic opportunity to compete and meet your teammates. Team managers will be in touch with more information specific to the day and will follow the competition selection policy set by the club. I would strongly encourage everyone to express an interest in competing if you are able to make the day, please look out for any emails during the upcoming year from your team managers. A list of team managers can be found on the website.</span></p> <p><b>YDL( Youth Development League)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">VP-Glasgow are currently in division 2 of the YDL but are hopeful to be promoted to division 1 in the upcoming year with the help of our wonderful young athletes. This league is for athletes in the U13 and U15 age groups and normally consists of 3 matches per year. Team managers will also follow the clubs competition selection policy where 2 boys and 2 girls will be selected for each event. Again I would strongly encourage anyone who would be able to make the day to express an interest to your team managers. Team managers will be in touch via email before each match.</span></p> <p><b>SNAL( Scottish National Athletics league)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Scottish national athletics league is open to athletes aged U17 and over and 5 athletes will be eligible for selection for each event both male and female. There are normally 4 matches per year where the club will compete for points in each match to win the league title. We won the league in the first year the league was established in 2023 and then came 2nd in the league in 2024. We are hoping to maintain our reputation and would encourage all eligible athletes to compete in the league.</span></p> <p><b>What you need to compete</b></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Scottish Athletics Membership</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">: All athletes must be registered with Scottish Athletics. You can join and obtain an SA number</span><a href="http://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/membership/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Club Vest</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">: All athletes must compete in a club vest, which can be purchased from the club.</span></li> </ul> <p><b>Feeling nervous about competing ?</b></p> <p>it's totally normal to feel nervous before a competition—it shows that you care and want to do your best. Here are a few tips to help you manage those nerves and make the most of your experience:</p> <ol> <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Embrace Your Nerves:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Instead of seeing nerves as a bad thing, try to view them as excitement. That extra energy can help you perform better if you channel it the right way.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Trust Your Training:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Remember, all the hard work you’ve put in up to this point is enough. You've trained for this moment, so trust yourself and your preparation. You’ve got this!</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Focus on the Process:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Don’t get too caught up in the outcome. Focus on doing your best in each moment, and the results will follow. There has never been an athlete who hasn't faced a setback or been disappointed in their result, a couple of bad days or even a bad season does not define your ability as an athlete. Mental preparation is just as important as your physical preparation </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Stay Positive:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> A positive mindset can make a huge difference. Believe in yourself, and remind yourself that nerves are just part of the journey to success.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Enjoy the Experience:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Remember, every competition is an opportunity to learn and grow. Whether you win or lose, you’ll come out of it stronger and more experienced. So, enjoy the ride</span></li> </ol> </ol> <ul> <li><b>Talk to Someone !! : <span style="font-weight: 400;">Most Importantly talk to someone, When you’re feeling nervous, talking to someone can really help. Your coach, teammates, or even your parents are there to support you. Coaches can offer advice, teammates understand what you’re going through, and parents are there to encourage you. Just sharing how you feel can lighten the pressure and help you focus on doing your best. Don’t hesitate to reach out—you're not in this alone!</span></b></li> </ul> <p> <b>Tips to help : </b></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Focus on Breathing:</b><b><br /></b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Deep, slow breaths can help calm your mind and body. Focus on your inhale and exhale to reduce stress and bring you into the present moment. This is a technique athletes use to stay calm and focused before big events.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Visualization:</b><b><br /></b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Visualizing yourself succeeding can help boost your confidence. Imagine yourself running or competing at your best, feeling confident and in control. Many top athletes use this mental technique to prepare for competition.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Positive Self-Talk:</b><b><br /></b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths and past successes. A simple "I’ve got this" or "I’ve prepared well" can go a long way in boosting confidence.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Routine and Familiarity:</b><b><br /></b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Stick to a familiar pre-competition routine, whether it’s a warm-up or listening to music. This can help create a sense of comfort and control, calming nerves and reducing anxiety.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><br /></span></li> </ul> <p><b>Shift Your Focus to the Process:</b><b><br /></b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Rather than focusing on the outcome, concentrate on doing your best in the moment. As World Athletics often advises, focusing on the process, like your technique or pacing, keeps you grounded and lessens pressure.</span></p>
SAIL ( Scottish Indoor Athletics League)
Athletes from ages 9 – U20 compete in the indoor league which normally consists of 3 matches and is split into morning and afternoon sessions i.e the club will either do all events in the morning or all events in the afternoon so there is no waiting around all day.This event is held at the Emirates arena in Glasgow during the winter months. Athletes compete for points in various events in each age group and gender. Usually after the three initial matches the top teams will advance to the final where the athletes will compete for league titles. Two boys and two girls will be picked by the team manager for each event and the team will be selected according to our team selection policy. Please look out for any email sent by the club to ensure you do not miss the chance to compete.
CSSAL ( Central and Southern Athletics League)
VP-Glasgow are in Division 1 of the central and southern athletics league where two athletes are selected for each event. This league consists of 3 matches during the outdoor season and anyone from aged 9 right up to masters can compete in the league. This is a fantastic opportunity to compete and meet your teammates. Team managers will be in touch with more information specific to the day and will follow the competition selection policy set by the club. I would strongly encourage everyone to express an interest in competing if you are able to make the day, please look out for any emails during the upcoming year from your team managers. A list of team managers can be found on the website.
YDL( Youth Development League)
VP-Glasgow are currently in division 2 of the YDL but are hopeful to be promoted to division 1 in the upcoming year with the help of our wonderful young athletes. This league is for athletes in the U13 and U15 age groups and normally consists of 3 matches per year. Team managers will also follow the clubs competition selection policy where 2 boys and 2 girls will be selected for each event. Again I would strongly encourage anyone who would be able to make the day to express an interest to your team managers. Team managers will be in touch via email before each match.
SNAL( Scottish National Athletics league)
The Scottish national athletics league is open to athletes aged U17 and over and 5 athletes will be eligible for selection for each event both male and female. There are normally 4 matches per year where the club will compete for points in each match to win the league title. We won the league in the first year the league was established in 2023 and then came 2nd in the league in 2024. We are hoping to maintain our reputation and would encourage all eligible athletes to compete in the league.
What you need to compete
- Scottish Athletics Membership: All athletes must be registered with Scottish Athletics. You can join and obtain an SA number here.
- Club Vest: All athletes must compete in a club vest, which can be purchased from the club.
Feeling nervous about competing ?
it’s totally normal to feel nervous before a competition—it shows that you care and want to do your best. Here are a few tips to help you manage those nerves and make the most of your experience:
- Embrace Your Nerves: Instead of seeing nerves as a bad thing, try to view them as excitement. That extra energy can help you perform better if you channel it the right way.
- Trust Your Training: Remember, all the hard work you’ve put in up to this point is enough. You’ve trained for this moment, so trust yourself and your preparation. You’ve got this!
- Focus on the Process: Don’t get too caught up in the outcome. Focus on doing your best in each moment, and the results will follow. There has never been an athlete who hasn’t faced a setback or been disappointed in their result, a couple of bad days or even a bad season does not define your ability as an athlete. Mental preparation is just as important as your physical preparation
- Stay Positive: A positive mindset can make a huge difference. Believe in yourself, and remind yourself that nerves are just part of the journey to success.
- Enjoy the Experience: Remember, every competition is an opportunity to learn and grow. Whether you win or lose, you’ll come out of it stronger and more experienced. So, enjoy the ride
- Talk to Someone !! : Most Importantly talk to someone, When you’re feeling nervous, talking to someone can really help. Your coach, teammates, or even your parents are there to support you. Coaches can offer advice, teammates understand what you’re going through, and parents are there to encourage you. Just sharing how you feel can lighten the pressure and help you focus on doing your best. Don’t hesitate to reach out—you’re not in this alone!
Tips to help :
- Focus on Breathing: Deep, slow breaths can help calm your mind and body. Focus on your inhale and exhale to reduce stress and bring you into the present moment. This is a technique athletes use to stay calm and focused before big events.
- Visualization: Visualizing yourself succeeding can help boost your confidence. Imagine yourself running or competing at your best, feeling confident and in control. Many top athletes use this mental technique to prepare for competition.
- Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths and past successes. A simple “I’ve got this” or “I’ve prepared well” can go a long way in boosting confidence.
- Routine and Familiarity: Stick to a familiar pre-competition routine, whether it’s a warm-up or listening to music. This can help create a sense of comfort and control, calming nerves and reducing anxiety.
Shift Your Focus to the Process: Rather than focusing on the outcome, concentrate on doing your best in the moment. As World Athletics often advises, focusing on the process, like your technique or pacing, keeps you grounded and lessens pressure.
