Teenager Leanna Elliot competed for Scotland at Loughborough recently – the venue will host the UK School Games in September (photo by Bobby Gavin)
School Games Scotland selection policy
2026 School Games National Final – Para Athletics Selection Policy (v1)
UK School Games 2026: September 4 and 5
The School Games National Finals is a biennial multi-sport event for the UK’s school-age athletes, organized by the Youth Sport Trust and funded by Sport England.
It brings together top young athletes from across the country to compete in a variety of sports, promoting physical activity, teamwork, and personal development.
Eligibility:
To be considered for selection for this event:
*Athletes must be competing as an U16/U18 on or before the 31 August 2026. (D.O.B. 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2010)
(NOTE: different from Scotland DoB)
*Athletes must be currently registered with a Home Country affiliated club.
Format:
2026 will see a new format of competition of this event – Dynamic New Athletics.
10 Integrated Teams will compete. Teams will be based on geographic regions. Athletes will be allocated a team based on their residential region. All teams will compete across both days – Qualifiers on Day 1 with all teams progressing to finals on Day 2.
Each team is to have one athlete in each individual event and one relay team for 4x400m relay and for the Hunt. All athletes will compete on Day 1 and Day 2.
Each team will comprise 22 athletes. Team composition will be made up of: nine male + nine female athletes and four Para Athletes (two male + two female).
Athletes will be selected either for individual events or for relay events, not both. This is to ensure each team meets the overall size of 22 athletes and Para athletes.
Selection Process:
Selection meeting will take place week commencing 29 June 2026. A maximum of 22 athletes will be selected for each team.
The selection panel will be made up both scottishathletics and Scottish Schools Athletics Association (SSAA) members.
Tags:
Loughborough, UK School Games