MERSEYSIDE NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE TEAM INFORMATION
Following the selection meeting that took place after the Merseyside Primary Schools’ Cross Country County Championships at Wavertree on Saturday 31st January, we are pleased to tell you that your child has been selected to compete at the National Cross Country Finals.
The Finals are to be held at the NAEC Stoneleigh, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ on XXXXXXX
1 - CONFIRM ATTENDANCE ASAP with the Merseyside team managers. Message ANDREW on 07891 425272 with your child’s name, year group, school and borough. (Eg. Joan Smith, Y5, St Peter’s School, Wirral). Andrew will message back to confirm receipt of your message.
2 - REGISTER your child on the Stuweb website: XXXXXXXXX
This is a simple online form, BUT IT IS VITAL THAT NEXT TO THE “CLUB” YOU ENTER "Merseyside Schools" WRITTEN EXACTLY LIKE THIS.
If you deviate from this, your child will be on a different team! Please do not get this step wrong! You will then checkout and pay the entry fee and booking fee. The entry and booking fee is £16.75 but we have negotiated a discount using a discount code reducing the entry fee by 20%. The Merseyside 20% discount code can be requested from Andrew or Tony. It’s valid until 28 February 2027.
3 - PAY THE MERSEYSIDE TEAM FEE - The team fee is £25. This covers: Commemorative t-shirt (£8.00), medal (£2.00), team coach (£15.00*). Payable through Wirral Primary Cross Country Association bank account (we know it’s the Merseyside team, but we are using Wirral’s account for money in & out).
Account Name: Wirral Primary Cross-Country Association
Account Number: 90506249
Sort Code: 20-29-50
Ref: Your child’s name
*We have had to ask that all children contribute £15 to the cost of the coach. We have made heavy losses in previous years which have been covered personally by Tony and Andy, because half full coaches have travelled. We understand that some children prefer to travel with family and some families even travel the day before and make a weekend of it, but the alternative is not to take a coach and, therefore, by default a team. Thanks for your help, and if anyone knows of a suitable, willing sponsor let us know. We get no outside funding.
The Finals are to be held at the NAEC Stoneleigh, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ on XXXXXXX
1 - CONFIRM ATTENDANCE ASAP with the Merseyside team managers. Message ANDREW on 07891 425272 with your child’s name, year group, school and borough. (Eg. Joan Smith, Y5, St Peter’s School, Wirral). Andrew will message back to confirm receipt of your message.
2 - REGISTER your child on the Stuweb website: XXXXXXXXX
This is a simple online form, BUT IT IS VITAL THAT NEXT TO THE “CLUB” YOU ENTER "Merseyside Schools" WRITTEN EXACTLY LIKE THIS.
If you deviate from this, your child will be on a different team! Please do not get this step wrong! You will then checkout and pay the entry fee and booking fee. The entry and booking fee is £16.75 but we have negotiated a discount using a discount code reducing the entry fee by 20%. The Merseyside 20% discount code can be requested from Andrew or Tony. It’s valid until 28 February 2027.
3 - PAY THE MERSEYSIDE TEAM FEE - The team fee is £25. This covers: Commemorative t-shirt (£8.00), medal (£2.00), team coach (£15.00*). Payable through Wirral Primary Cross Country Association bank account (we know it’s the Merseyside team, but we are using Wirral’s account for money in & out).
Account Name: Wirral Primary Cross-Country Association
Account Number: 90506249
Sort Code: 20-29-50
Ref: Your child’s name
*We have had to ask that all children contribute £15 to the cost of the coach. We have made heavy losses in previous years which have been covered personally by Tony and Andy, because half full coaches have travelled. We understand that some children prefer to travel with family and some families even travel the day before and make a weekend of it, but the alternative is not to take a coach and, therefore, by default a team. Thanks for your help, and if anyone knows of a suitable, willing sponsor let us know. We get no outside funding.
EVENT DETAILS AND INFORMATION
NAEC Stoneleigh, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ
Congratulations to everyone selected to represent Merseyside at the National Primary & Year 7 Cross Country Finals.
This page contains the key information for Merseyside athletes and their families, including team travel, arrival arrangements, race numbers, kit, footwear and race-day information.
Congratulations to everyone selected to represent Merseyside at the National Primary & Year 7 Cross Country Finals.
This page contains the key information for Merseyside athletes and their families, including team travel, arrival arrangements, race numbers, kit, footwear and race-day information.
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Merseyside Team Coach
A team coach will travel to Stoneleigh with two Merseyside pick-up points.
Meet at the main entrance gates: Birkenhead Park Park Road East Birkenhead CH41 4BB what3words: ///sorry.soft.focus
Meet in the main car park: Wavertree Sports Park Wellington Road Liverpool L15 4LE what3words: ///invest.acute.spoon Please arrive early - The times above are departure times, not meeting times. The coach cannot wait for late arrivals. Children travelling by coach should wear comfortable clothes and bring a complete change of clean clothing and footwear for the journey home. Cross-country can get very muddy and we need to leave the coach as we found it. Families are also welcome to travel independently and meet the Merseyside team at Stoneleigh. PLEASE NOTE: Every member of the team contributes to the cost of the Merseyside coach whether you choose to use it or not. |
Travelling by Car
Stoneleigh Park is situated between the M6 and M40, approximately six miles south of Coventry. If using sat nav, the venue recommends using: CV8 2LH Once you reach Stoneleigh Park, follow the event signs to the appropriate entrance and parking area. From the M6 Leave the M6 at Junction 2 and take the A46 towards Warwick. Follow signs for Stoneleigh Park / NAEC. Parking There is extensive free parking at Stoneleigh Park. The event attracts a large number of competitors and spectators, so please allow plenty of time to park and reach the Merseyside team area. Travelling by Train The nearest useful mainline stations include:
For those travelling from Merseyside, Coventry is likely to offer the most straightforward rail journey, normally via Birmingham New Street. Coventry and Warwick Parkway are approximately five miles from Stoneleigh Park. A taxi will be required for the final part of the journey. When Should We Arrive? If you are travelling independently, please aim to arrive for 10am. There is quite a lot to do before racing:
The event is busy and toilet queues in particular can become long close to race times. |
Finding the Merseyside Team
When you arrive, look for the Merseyside team tent/base and report to us before doing anything else.
This lets us know that your child has arrived safely and gives us time to organise race numbers, kit and teams.
The Team Managers will let athletes know when they need to begin warming up and will organise the children before each race.
Parents do not need to take their child separately to the registration tent.
Race Numbers
The organisers group race numbers together for children entered as part of a school, club or county team.
The Merseyside Team Managers will collect the Merseyside race numbers from registration and distribute them from our team base.
Merseyside Team Kit
Children representing Merseyside will receive their running kit from the Merseyside desk at registration.
Please also bring:
The children are very likely to finish their race wet or muddy, so a full change of clothes is essential. And yes — purple hair ribbons and other Merseyside touches are absolutely welcome! Parents and carers should also dress for a day outdoors. Warm layers, waterproofs, boots or walking shoes, gloves and a hat are all worth bringing.
Food Before Racing
Please make sure your child has enough food and drink for the day. We recommend avoiding a substantial meal during the 90 minutes immediately before their race, as running soon after eating can cause discomfort or a stitch. Hot drinks and some hot food are normally available to purchase at the venue.
Footwear
Please pay particular attention to the footwear rules, as they differ by age group.
When you arrive, look for the Merseyside team tent/base and report to us before doing anything else.
This lets us know that your child has arrived safely and gives us time to organise race numbers, kit and teams.
The Team Managers will let athletes know when they need to begin warming up and will organise the children before each race.
Parents do not need to take their child separately to the registration tent.
Race Numbers
The organisers group race numbers together for children entered as part of a school, club or county team.
The Merseyside Team Managers will collect the Merseyside race numbers from registration and distribute them from our team base.
Merseyside Team Kit
Children representing Merseyside will receive their running kit from the Merseyside desk at registration.
Please also bring:
- comfortable travelling clothes;
- warm clothing for before and after the race;
- a waterproof jacket if required;
- a complete change of clothes;
- clean shoes for the journey home;
- suitable running footwear;
- lunch;
- snacks; and
- plenty to drink.
The children are very likely to finish their race wet or muddy, so a full change of clothes is essential. And yes — purple hair ribbons and other Merseyside touches are absolutely welcome! Parents and carers should also dress for a day outdoors. Warm layers, waterproofs, boots or walking shoes, gloves and a hat are all worth bringing.
Food Before Racing
Please make sure your child has enough food and drink for the day. We recommend avoiding a substantial meal during the 90 minutes immediately before their race, as running soon after eating can cause discomfort or a stitch. Hot drinks and some hot food are normally available to purchase at the venue.
Footwear
Please pay particular attention to the footwear rules, as they differ by age group.
|
Years 3 and 4
Running spikes are not permitted. Children should race in suitable: trainers; trail shoes; or astroturf footwear. |
Years 5, 6 and 7
Running spikes are optional. If wearing spikes:
Be prepared for both. The organisers may change the footwear requirements if ground conditions make spikes unsafe. Please therefore make sure that children who intend to use spikes also bring suitable trainers or trail shoes. The final decision rests with the event organisers on the day. |
Race Timetable
The race timetable will be published here once confirmed for the forthcoming championships.
Course Maps
Course maps and the Stoneleigh site plan are available at: https://www.nationalprimary-year7crosscountryfinal.com/www.nationalprimary-year7crosscountryfinal.com/
Race Day
Before their race, children should remain with or close to the Merseyside team.
The Team Managers will:
After racing, children should return to the Merseysyside team base.
Please stay and support the other Merseyside runners where possible.
After Your Child's Race
Please do not leave immediately after your child's race. Merseyside may be involved in the team championships and we may not know the final positions until other races have finished. We don't want a child to miss a team presentation or championship medal because they have already left the venue. We also want as many children as possible to be included in the Merseyside team photograph. If there is any reason why your child should not be included in photographs, please let one of the Team Managers know.
Results and Event Photographs
For accurate timing, the race bib must be clearly visible as children cross the finish line. Children should try not to cover the bib with their arms while stopping watches immediately on the finish line. If there is ever a query about a result, having your own photograph or video showing the time of day at the finish can also be useful. If you do not wish your child to be photographed by the event photographers, follow the photography instructions issued by the event organisers.
Facilities
The event normally provides:
Please remember that this is a large national event, so queues are inevitable at busy times.
Live Stream
The organisers have previously provided a live stream of the races for family and friends unable to attend.
If a live stream is available, the link will be available on www.nationalprimary-year7crosscountryfinal.com/
Before You Leave Stoneleigh
Please make sure:
Children travelling home on the team coach must change out of muddy clothing and footwear before boarding.
Final Reminder
The National Finals are a large and busy event. Please allow plenty of time, keep in contact with the Merseyside Team Managers and check this page again in the days before the event for any final updates.
Race times, courses, footwear requirements and other event arrangements remain subject to change by the organisers.
The race timetable will be published here once confirmed for the forthcoming championships.
- 12:00 – Year 3 Girls – 1400m
- 12:20 – Year 3 Boys – 1400m
- 12:40 – Year 4 Girls – 1600m
- 13:00 – Year 4 Boys – 1600m
- 13:20 – Year 5 Girls – 2400m
- 13:40 – Year 5 Boys – 2400m
- 14:00 – Year 6 Girls – 2700m
- 14:20 – Year 6 Boys – 2700m
- 14:40 – Year 7 Girls – 3000m
- 15:00 – Year 7 Boys – 3000m
- Presentations after the final race
Course Maps
Course maps and the Stoneleigh site plan are available at: https://www.nationalprimary-year7crosscountryfinal.com/www.nationalprimary-year7crosscountryfinal.com/
Race Day
Before their race, children should remain with or close to the Merseyside team.
The Team Managers will:
- organise race numbers and kit;
- advise and gide children with a warm up;
- gather each team together;
- give final instructions; and
- take athletes to the race area when required.
After racing, children should return to the Merseysyside team base.
Please stay and support the other Merseyside runners where possible.
After Your Child's Race
Please do not leave immediately after your child's race. Merseyside may be involved in the team championships and we may not know the final positions until other races have finished. We don't want a child to miss a team presentation or championship medal because they have already left the venue. We also want as many children as possible to be included in the Merseyside team photograph. If there is any reason why your child should not be included in photographs, please let one of the Team Managers know.
Results and Event Photographs
For accurate timing, the race bib must be clearly visible as children cross the finish line. Children should try not to cover the bib with their arms while stopping watches immediately on the finish line. If there is ever a query about a result, having your own photograph or video showing the time of day at the finish can also be useful. If you do not wish your child to be photographed by the event photographers, follow the photography instructions issued by the event organisers.
Facilities
The event normally provides:
- toilets;
- catering for hot drinks and some hot food;
- event merchandise and commemorative items; and
- extensive free parking.
Please remember that this is a large national event, so queues are inevitable at busy times.
Live Stream
The organisers have previously provided a live stream of the races for family and friends unable to attend.
If a live stream is available, the link will be available on www.nationalprimary-year7crosscountryfinal.com/
Before You Leave Stoneleigh
Please make sure:
- your child has returned any Merseyside kit that needs to be returned;
- they have changed into clean clothes and footwear;
- you have checked whether Merseyside is involved in a presentation;
- your child has collected any medal or award due to them; and
- the Team Managers know you are leaving.
Children travelling home on the team coach must change out of muddy clothing and footwear before boarding.
Final Reminder
The National Finals are a large and busy event. Please allow plenty of time, keep in contact with the Merseyside Team Managers and check this page again in the days before the event for any final updates.
Race times, courses, footwear requirements and other event arrangements remain subject to change by the organisers.
