International Schools Athletics Association

The International Schools Athletics Association is also known as SIAB - Schools International Athletics Board.

The SIAB hosts a very small number of track and field competitions for the elite junior athletes of the UK and Republic of Ireland. (Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are merged into one country for this purpose.)

The ESAA - English Schools Athletics Association hosts three major competitions a year for athletes in under 15, under 17 and under 19 age groups. The competitions are Cross country, track and field and combined events joint with race walking. A very small number of athletes who win the national event in their respective disciplines will be selected to compete in a home countries international athletics competition along with athletes from Wales, Scotland and Ireland which take part in their own national schools competitions. The selection criteria is dependant on event and age group. To date there is no international selections for senior (under 19) athletes. The international events hosted are:

SIAB international junior track and field (Discontinued) - For under 15 athletes from each country who come first and second from their previous year's national track and field competition. (Usually held in Wales at the UWIC indoor track in January)

SIAB international track and field - For two under 17 athletes from each country who come first and second in their national competition. (Held in any home country)

SIAB international cross country - For under 15 and under 17 athletes from each country who come top eight in their national competition. (Held in any home country)

SIAB international combined events - For under 15 and under 17 from each country who come top four in their national competition. (Always held in Glasgow, Kelvin Hall indoor track in December)

Due to the structure of the international competitions, many events cannot be official, and records are not legal as most of the athletes become over age for their event implements for their group at the time of the event as the competitions are held out of season with the exception of the SIAB international track and field and cross country. The SIAB competitions are one of the only events junior athletes, especially under 15 can gain international status without achieving senior standards.

The SIAB competitions are extremely elite and unknown in the athletics world. The competitions are designed as incentives and a reward to junior athletes for their hard work and commitment. Due to lack of funding, the future of the SIAB competitions dwindle as is does with the ESAA.