British Weight Lifting

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

British Weight Lifting (BWL) is a trading name of the British Weight Lifters' Association Ltd (BWLA),[1][2] the National Governing Body (NGB) in the United Kingdom for the sports of weightlifting and para powerlifting.[3] The Association was initially established in 1910. From 1911[4] to 2003[5] its name was the British Amateur Weight Lifters' Association (BAWLA);[4] and in 1957, it was incorporated as a limited company.[5][6]

British Weight Lifting
Sport
  • Weightlifting
  • Para powerlifting
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
AbbreviationBWL
Founded1910 (1910)
AffiliationIWF
Regional affiliationEWF
HeadquartersLeeds, West Yorkshire
PresidentAngus Kinnear
CEOAshley Metcalfe
Official website
britishweightlifting.org

BWL support a large network of weightlifting bodies, clubs and gyms across the United Kingdom,[7] as well as the thousands of people actively involved in Olympic and Paralympic weightlifting disciplines and people at every level of weight bearing activity. As a sport NGB, they are also committed to and responsible for greater inclusivity, improved governance, improved performance and being globally successful, winning medals at Olympics, Paralympics, World and Commonwealth events.[8]

Overview[]

BWL is responsible for developing participation and performance across Olympic Weight Lifting and Para-Powerlifting in Great Britain and to offer greater opportunities for a wider and more diverse range of lifters of all ages and abilities.[9]

Initiatives include regular campaigns aimed at encouraging people to start lifting. In 2018 they partnered with Oomph! to help tackle inactivity in people over the age of 55.[10] In 2019, Women in Sport and BWL launched, Strong Is Not A Size,[11] to empower women to step into the weights areas of gym.

They also operate several initiatives aimed at encouraging people to learn the fundamental movement skills in Olympic Weightlifting and for all sport and physical activities. This includes coordinating and facilitating the set-up, running and growth of club infrastructure from national, regional, and sub-regional level.

History[]

Weightlifting began to become an organised sport in the United Kingdom in the late 1800s,[4] with the Amateur Athletic Association (formed 1880), the Amateur Gymnastics Association (formed 1888), and the Wrestling Society.[4]

In 1910, the British Weight Lifters' Association was established in order to bring all amateur weightlifters into a united self-governing body. The new association was refounded in 1911 as the British Amateur Weight Lifters' Association (BAWLA).[4]

Today, the sport of competitive weightlifting (also known as "Olympic-style weightlifting") comprises two lifts: the snatch, and the two-part clean-and-jerk. But in the early years of organised amateur competitions there were many different types of lifts.[12][13] In the 1960s and 70s, the competitive sport of powerlifting consolidated around the squat, bench press, and deadlift.[14] The BAWLA ran a powerlifting section, and was a founder member of the International Powerlifting Federation[15] (founded 1972),[16] and was the UK's original governing body for powerlifting. Later BAWLA's powerlifting section re-organised as an independent organisation – the GB Powerlifting Federation Ltd[15] (incorporated in 2008,[17] and trading as British Powerlifting)[18] – with BAWLA remaining the governing body for Olympic-style weightlifting and for para powerlifting, which made its debut in the 1964 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.[19]

In 2003, the Association returned to its original name of the British Weight Lifters' Association (BWLA),[5][4] and today is known by its trading name of British Weight Lifting.[2][1]

Competitions[]

The BWL competition programme has three tiers.

Competitions are set up for all age groups and weight categories from school age to masters (over 35's). Age groups for national competitions are, School Age, University and Colleges, Youth, Junior, U23 and Senior – Masters is 35+.

BWL also host international qualifying events[20] for weightlifters to enter the Olympics, Paralympics and Commonwealth Games as part of Team GB.[21]

Tier 1 ‘British Championships’[]

Tier 1 is the highest standard of weightlifting in the UK and competitions are organised directly by BWL. Lifters from anywhere in the UK are eligible to compete. They must have met the qualification standard at any Tier 2 or Tier 3 competition.

The British Weightlifting Championships, 2019, took place at The Ricoh Arena,[22] Coventry, between June 8-9. Competing athletes attended to secure their place at the Tokyo Olympics.[23]

The selection policy for British Olympic Weightlifting is determined by the totals lifted at specific competitions and a selection panel, including the Chair of the BWL performance committee, a member of the BWL performance committee, the BWL performance director and two GB international coaches.[24]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, a revised qualifying system was announced by the International Olympic Committee.[25]

Tier 2 ‘Home Nation Championships’[]

Each UK Home Nation is responsible for its own national championships. All Tier 2 competitions hold equal standing across all four Home Nations; England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Most Tier 2 competitions have qualification standards to take part.

In October 2020, BWL hosted age group championships virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[26]

Tier 3 ‘Ranking Events’[]

Any club with a ‘Licensed Club’ affiliation to BWL or a Home Nation federation can apply to run a Tier 3 competition. Results feature on the BWL rankings list. This tier is suitable for both novice and experienced lifters and can be entered to qualify for Tier 1 and 2 competitions.

Competitions Tiers
Regional Open Series 3
Age Group Championships 2
British Championships 1
England Championships 1
British Universities and Colleges Championships 1

Home Nations[]

British Weight Lifting supports weightlifting and para-powerlifting in each of the UK's four Home Nations – England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland –[27] in partnership with the governing bodies specific to each home nation.

The governing body for both sports in Wales is the Welsh Weightlifting Federation Ltd (incorporated 2013),[28] which trades as Welsh Weightlifting (Welsh: Codi Pwysau Cymru). In 2020, BWL and Welsh Weightlifting merged their memberships, with joint membership of both organisations for lifters in Wales.[29]

The governing body in Scotland is Weightlifting Scotland[30] (incorporated 2005).[31] In Northern Ireland it is Northern Ireland Weightlifting.[27]

The governing body for England is organised as a sub-committee of British Weight Lifting. It is known externally as England Weight Lifting and internally as the England group.[32]

Certifications[]

BWL deliver practical and online training programmes to weightlifters, coaches, instructors, and technical officials.

They were selected as one of the top two finalists in the Coaching Culture of the Year category at the UK Coaching Awards.[33]

Courses to help weightlifters improve technique and performance include Olympic Lifting Masterclass and Strength Training Masterclass.

Other programmes include, Continued Professional Development (CPD) courses, the British Weight Lifting DiSE programme – a Diploma in Sporting Excellence, the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), coaching courses and official licensing.

BWL run talent pathways for Olympic hopefuls. The first national youth squad took place in Loughborough, 2016,[34] at which 12 young lifters were selected to attend BWL training camps throughout the year.

Para powerlifting[]

Para Powerlifting made its debut at the 1964 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, featuring a handful of male competitors with spinal cord injuries. The sport now has hundreds of elite male and female participants from a variety of disability groups, representing more than 110 countries.

At the 2020, Road to Tokyo Para Powerlifting World Cup, Britain finished with four gold, two silver and three bronze medals.[35]

Para powerlifting will be a part of British Universities and Colleges Sport programme for the first time in 2021.[36]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Privacy Policy". britishweightlifting.org. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  2. ^ a b Report of the Directors and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2020 for British Weight Lifters Association [1] "British Weight Lifters’ Association trading as British Weight Lifting is a company limited by guarantee."
  3. ^ "How We Are Run". ParalympicsGB.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "About BWL | British Weight Lifting - A Brief History". British Weight Lifting. 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-07-18.
  5. ^ a b c "BRITISH WEIGHT LIFTERS ASSOCIATION - Overview". Companies House. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  6. ^ "About BWLA". BWLA - British Weight Lifters Association. 4 June 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-06-07.
  7. ^ Pamben, Deven (29 Sep 2017). "British Weightlifting to officially endorse gyms". .
  8. ^ "What is a Governing Body?". Sport Northern Ireland.
  9. ^ "BWL Strategy 2016 – 2021" (PDF). British Weight Lifting.
  10. ^ "Sports Governing Bodies Launch New Scheme To Beat Older Adult Inactivity And Loneliness With Fun And Games". Oomph!. March 22, 2018.
  11. ^ "Women In Sport and British Weight Lifting Launch #StrongIsNotASize Campaign". . July 7, 2018.
  12. ^ "Ronald Walker -". Legendary Strength. 2013-09-06. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  13. ^ "The History of Weight Sports: How They Evolved Since 1900". Breaking Muscle. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  14. ^ "The History of Powerlifting". Taylor's Strength Training. 2018-01-10. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  15. ^ a b "About British Powerlifting". www.britishpowerlifting.org. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  16. ^ "History - International Powerlifting Federation IPF". www.powerlifting.sport. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  17. ^ "GB POWERLIFTING FEDERATION LIMITED - Overview". Companies House. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  18. ^ "Organisation". www.britishpowerlifting.org. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  19. ^ "Para Powerlifting". britishweightlifting.org. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  20. ^ "BWL International Qualification Pathways".
  21. ^ "Weightlifting Team GB". Team GB.
  22. ^ "British International Open 2019". Ricoh Arena.
  23. ^ "2019 British Weightlifting Championships starts today!". International Weightlifting Federation.
  24. ^ Kechacha, Ramsey (May 13, 2016). "British Weightlifting's Olympic selection policy 2016 explained…". .
  25. ^ "IOC Approves Revised Weightlifting Olympic Qualification System For Tokyo 2020". International Weightlifting Federation. May 29, 2020.
  26. ^ Gillen, Nancy (September 16, 2020). "British Weight Lifting to hold Age Group Championships virtually". Inside The Games.
  27. ^ a b "Home Nations". britishweightlifting.org. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  28. ^ "WALES WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION LTD. - Overview". Companies House. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  29. ^ "Weightlifting Wales and British Weight Lifting Continue to Strengthen Partnerships". Weightlifting Wales.
  30. ^ "About Us". Weightlifting Scotland.
  31. ^ "WEIGHTLIFTING SCOTLAND - Overview". Companies House. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  32. ^ "About Us". England Weight Lifting.
  33. ^ "Winners announced at 20th anniversary of UK Coaching Awards". UK Coaching. December 1, 2017.
  34. ^ Kechacha, Ramsey (March 10, 2016). "Future Olympic hopefuls take part in British Weight Lifting youth development camp at Loughborough University". .
  35. ^ "Para Powerlifting World Cup: Louise Sugden shines as GB top medals table". BBC Sport. February 23, 2020.
  36. ^ "BUCS Para Powerlifting". British Universities and Colleges Sport.
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