Central AC takes part in a variety of competitions throughout the year featuring the full range of track and field events from sprints and relays to endurance, hurdles, jumps and throws. There are competitions for all age groups and abilities.
From April to September competitions take place outdoors at a variety of venues. See the Scottish Athletics events page for details.
The club enters several league events, from the Forth Valley League for Under-11s to Under-15s up to the Scottish National Athletics League. There are also club time trials at Stirling on the last Thursday of each month, which are open to all, monthly throughout the summer.
For those wishing to compete at a higher level there are championships at district, Scottish and for the very best, UK level, along with international events.
The club runs two major events at Grangemouth each year, the pre-season meeting in March and the Club Championships in September for all our athletes. These events also attract guest entries from other clubs. In addition, there are other open events like the Tayside Pentathlon in September.
Outdoor track and field events
SUPERteams
The Scottish Athletics SUPERteams events are an extremely popular fixture for Under-12s in the annual athletics calendar. There are Regional Heats and a National Final. Clubs can be represented by any number of athletes.
Forth Valley League
The Forth Valley League is for Under-11 to Under-15 boys and girls and is ideal for our less experienced athletes; it’s considered a developmental opportunity with an event for everyone irrespective of their ability. This is a team event with selection by team managers who will email all the athletes in the database in advance to check availability prior to selection. Coaches will encourage participation in this league to build athlete confidence and gain experience in competing.
Youth Development League
The Youth Development League (YDL) is for Under-13 and Under-15 boys and girls. It is typically for our more experienced athletes and is a team event with team selection by team managers who will email parents with eligible athletes in advance to check availability.
Scottish National Athletics League
The Scottish National Athletics League (or National Scottish Joint League) was established in 2022 to replace the Scottish Men’s League, Scottish Women’s League and Upper Youth Development League (Under-17 and Under-20). The format includes league and team competition across the age groups and genders and the opportunity to compete in a series of graded events. Some 20 plus clubs take part.
Open Graded Events
Open Graded Events are open to all athletes Under-11 to senior age groups and give athletes the opportunity to put their training to the test and participate in events of their choosing and hopefully gain some personal bests. These are self-entry events and are run at various locations. Falkirk Victoria Harriers hold monthly open graded events in the summer at Grangemouth Stadium.
Schools championships
The Scottish Schools Athletic Association (SSAA) organises championship events which are listed on the SSAA website. These are events for primary and high school pupils where athlete entry is made by the schools only; the club has no involvement in this. Some schools are more proactive in relation to this than others and every year some athletes miss out because schools miss the entry deadline. Athletes should speak to their PE teachers in advance and remind them to complete their entry if they meet the required standard.
East District Championships
The East District Championship is for clubs located in the east of Scotland which includes Central AC. This is for boys and girls in Under-13 and above and is a self-entry event.
Scottish Athletics National Championships
The Scottish Athletics National Championships are also known as the age group championships and take place in August. This is a self-entry event via Scottish Athletics and features athletes from all over Scotland and there are regularly competitors from Ireland, England and Wales.
Indoor track and field events
The indoor track season takes place between November and February each year and as with outdoor season consists of open graded events, league events, Scottish Schools events and national championships which mostly take place at the Emirates Arena, Parkhead, Glasgow. Keep an eye on the Scottish Athletics events page to see when these are due to happen and get them in your diary so entry deadlines are not missed.
Indoor SUPERteams
The Scottish Athletics Indoor SUPERteams event is for Under-12s and is the very first taste of competition for many of them. The club usually enters several teams in what is an important development event with an emphasis on fun and enjoyment for the next generation.
Scottish Athletics Indoor League
The Scottish Athletics Indoor League (SAIL) is for Under-11 to Under-20 boys and girls and caters for all standards of athlete; it is a team event and selection is via team managers who will email parents for availability in advance. It consists of 3 matches and a final with relays.
Schools championships
The Scottish Schools Athletic Association (SSAA) organises championship events which are listed on the SSAA website. These are events for primary and high school pupils where athlete entry is made by the schools only; the club has no involvement in this. Some schools are more proactive in relation to this than others and every year some athletes miss out because schools miss the entry deadline. Athletes should speak to their PE teachers in advance and remind them to complete their entry if they meet the required standard.
Open Graded Events
Open Graded Events are open to all athletes Under-11 to senior age groups and give athletes the opportunity to put their training to the test and participate in events of their choosing and hopefully gain some personal bests. These are self-entry events and are run at various locations as per the Scottish Athletics Events page above.
Scottish Athletics National Indoor Championships
These are known as age group championships and take place in January or February. This is a self-entry event via Scottish Athletics and features athletes from all over Scotland and there are regularly competitors from Ireland, England and Wales.