The British Athletics League is a men-only track and field team competition in the United Kingdom. For women there is the completely separate UK Women's Athletic League.
Launched in 1969,[1] the British Athletics League in 2013 had five different divisions, which gather a total of 38 track and field teams from all over the United Kingdom, although most of them come from England.
Since 2009, there are five different divisions (Premiership, National 1, National 2, National 3 and National 4). Each of them has eight teams in competition, except the Division 4, with only six teams. Every summer season, two teams are relegated and two teams promoted for every division. The last change in the number of divisions took place in 2009, with the creation of the National 4 division.[2]
In every division there is a total of four matches per season. Teams receive points according to their athletic performances, and those points are transformed in a range of 1 to 8 points for every match, according with the matches' final table. These points are added after the four matches to determine relegations, promotions and champions.
This table lists the top placed clubs from the top division:[3] [4]
| Country | Club | First Appearance in BAL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | |||
| City of Liverpool | 1970 | ||
| City of Sheffield and Dearne Athletic Club | 1977 | ||
| 1975 | |||
| Sale Harriers Manchester | 1969 | ||
| 1976 | |||
| Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC | 1979 | ||
| 1969 |
| Country | Club | First Appearance in BAL |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | ||
| 1969 | ||
| Enfield & Haringey Athletic Club | 1972 | |
| Glasgow City | 2009 | |
| Harrow Athletic Club | 1986 | |
| 1983 | ||
| 1969 | ||
| 1969 | ||
| Country | Club | First Appearance in BAL |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford & County AC | 1979 | |
| 1969 | ||
| 1969 | ||
| 1985 | ||
| 2002 | ||
| 1969 | ||
| 1969 | ||
| 1971 | ||
| Country | Club | First Appearance in BAL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | |||
| 2015 | |||
| 1991 | |||
| Nene Valley Harriers | 2010 | ||
| Newquay and Par AC | 2014 | ||
| 2005 | |||
| 1974 | |||
| 2009 |
| Country | Club | First Appearance in BAL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton and Hove AC | 2016 | ||
| 2015 | |||
| Derby & Mansfield Combine | 2004 (Derby)/2010 (Mansfield) | ||
| Unknown | |||
| 1971 | |||
| Rugby & Northampton AC | Unknown |