Junior Squads 2025 Recap

Published: December 30, 2025

It has been a strong year for our regional squads, with regular East and West junior training sessions and re-establishing North area training. The regional squads offer valuable coaching opportunities for juniors at TD3 level and above. These sessions allow juniors to develop their skills while connecting with other juniors. Discover more about what our squads have been up to this year. 

East

The East area has aimed to deliver regional training sessions once a month, linked to local events. While most sessions have taken place in and around the Edinburgh area, both Tay and KFO also hosted training, making it easier for juniors who may not travel to Edinburgh to take part.

Next year, the East area will be trialling East Area Training Days. These will be open to both adults and juniors from all clubs across the East area, with separate junior and adult groups. 

East Area training Days Dates 2026:

  • 1st February- Whinny Hill and Meadowfield Park
  • 10th May 
  • 22nd August
  • 4th October

West 

The West Area Junior Squad (SWAT) had another busy and varied programme throughout 2025, offering juniors a mix of technical training, competition exposure and residential experiences. The year began with a January training weekend in Galloway, which had 36 juniors and parents in attendance. The start of February saw SWAT juniors and parents host the Regional Middle Distance event at Plean Country Park, followed by a combined training weekend and CSC heat at the end of the month, giving the juniors an opportunity to race for their clubs.

SWAT also provided residential opportunities, organising shared accommodation for the Scottish Middles/SOL 1 weekend in March and the Scottish Champs weekend in May.

Later in the year, SWAT activities included a summer training day alongside the FVO Raven Craig event in August, another residential weekend incorporating the Ted Finch Relays and SOL 4 at Gullane, and the highly anticipated Inter-Areas weekend in Stirling in October where West came out on top! A final training day was organised in Ayrshire in November, and the year will be rounded off with an online meeting to discuss 2026 plans and play some fun Christmas games.

North

In the North Area, 2025 marked an important step towards re-establishing regular junior squad activity. A training day took place in October at Nethy Bridge, attracting 16 juniors drawn from across BASOC, Gramp, MAROC, INVOC and MOR. This session provided a valuable opportunity to bring together juniors from across the region, laying foundations for further North Area squad development in the coming year.

The next North session will be 11/12th April. This will include training on the Saturday with an overnight stay in Nethy Bridge followed by the SOL on Sunday. 

Interareas

As always, the highlight of the junior calendar was the Interarea weekend, with thanks to the West Area for hosting. The relays were held at Muiravonside, followed by the individual races at Barrwood, with competitors staying overnight at Stirling Youth Hostel.

After the relays on day one, the North Area took an early lead, with two of their teams finishing first and third. However, the West Area mounted a strong comeback in the individual races on day two, ultimately being crowned the 2025 Interarea champions.

Next year, the Interareas will be hosted by the East Area.