What is HIPPO
HIPPO stands for 'Highlands and Islands - Performance, Participation, Opportunity'.  HIPPO is a concept borne following athletics training camps in Stornoway and Shetland in September 2007 and through discussions with athletics clubs in the Highlands by our Highland Regional Coaches Charlie Forbes (Endurance) and Tracy Tamijmarane (Throws). They identified the urgent need for the establishment of an athletics competition and support system; this system would, given the geography and travel logistics and costs involved, have to be innovative to meet the needs of both rural and remote athletics clubs and those in and around Inverness.  HIPPO is designed around and will meet these needs. Our Highlands Athletics Development Manager, Julie Wyatt has been instrumental in facilitating HIPPO.

11 athletics clubs from the Highlands, Moray, Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney have affiliated to HIPPO: IHAAC, CAAC, OAC, NUAAC, NAAAC,SAC,SRAC, ESAC, RCAC, MRR and EAC.

Funding dependant, HIPPO will deliver it's aims and objectives through 5 facets:
1) HIPPO Series – innovative competition structure based over 3 meetings
2) TEAM HIPPO – Team entered in Scottish Young Athletes League
3) HIPPO Performance Awards – awards based on selection for regional, Scottish and GB levels
4) HIPPO Bursaries & Awards– bursaries & awards available for the top athletes and their coaches

The HIPPO Series is an innovative locally sited inter-area competition that will provide 2 rounds (April and June) of local competitions sited in Stornoway, Shetland, Orkney and Inverness and then a ‘Grand Final’ which will take place in Inverness in September where all clubs come together to compete against each other. Provided funding is secured, HIPPO will also financially support clubs for attending the Grand Final.

HIPPO is a team event and the team results will be calculated from athletes performances at the 3 open graded competitions across the 4 venues.  HIPPO open meetings have been scheduled for Stornoway, Shetland and Orkney for the first and second rounds.   As an athlete you will chose your own events to enter at the meeting and pay for your events (£3 for 1 event; £5 for 2 events or more).  The only restriction will be the type of events entered - see table below.  Relays will also be run.

Age Events Restrictions
U13 3 events plus relay Max 2 track or max 2 field
U15 3 events plus relay Max 3 track or max 3 field
U17 4 events plus relay Max 3 track or max 3 field
Senior 5 events plus relay No restriction


You must have paid your club fees and be registered with Scottish Athletics for your performances to count for our club team scores in HIPPO. Athlete and Team Scoring System will be used to calculate each athlete's performance; scoring will be based on modified IAAF Hungarian Scoring Tables.  For each club and age group/sex the athlete’s performances will be ranked by points.  Using the appropriate number of top scoring performances the total points will be summed to give a team age group totals.  These totals will be compared across all clubs to determine the winning club and match points will be awarded.  Match points will be used to determine the overall winning club over the three meetings. On the evening of the Grand Final it is hoped that an annual awards ceremony and ceilidh/disco will take place (subject to funding).

If you would like any more information please contact Elspeth Allan, HIPPO Secretary.