The Amateur Athletic Association of England (AAA) is the descendent of the Amateur Athletic Association which was formed in the last century to govern athletics in England. Its constituent members are the Athletic Clubs, Counties and Areas within England. The Association has run the AAAs Championships for over one hundred years, the oldest of all such meetings. It also organises and prepares England International Teams annually and the Team for the Commonwealth Games every four years. The Association is responsible for providing the structure for athletics within England not only for Track and Field but also Cross Country, Road and Fell Running. It holds Championships for these annually. In addition the Association organises various grass roots activities including a Standards Scheme, and an Awards Scheme, both of which are aimed to encourage sport and health in youngsters by involving them in the various disciplines of Athletics. The Association's Clubs, Counties and Areas are the life blood of the sport, providing Officials, Coaches Administrators and of course many great Athletes. At the Commonwealth Games every four years England brings back a host of medals, providing the backbone of the Track and Field program with Australia, Canada and South Africa. The Association works with UK Athletics in all areas of the sport and provides over eighty per cent of the UKs international athletes.
The Amateur Athletic Association has a growing preoccupation with advertising and sponsorship deals, television contracts and the increasing problem of drug use to enhance performance and the need for effective drop test procedures. The Association debated and finally accepted the concept of a single governing body for athletics in the United Kingdom.
Reference: Amateur Athletic Association of England, The Association - An Introduction to England Athletics (http://www.englandathletics.co.uk/page2.html).
Reference: Steve Hewett, Research Libraries Bulletin (The University of Birmingham, No 6, 1998).
From the guide to the Records of the Amateur Athletic Association, 1880-1991, (University of Birmingham Information Services, Special Collections Department)
