Top-class schools’ athletics return to Northwood Stadium

A new era for track and field athletics begins on Saturday 18 June as the Mason Trophy returns to Northwood Stadium for the first time this century.

The Mason Trophy is one of the highlights of the English Schools’ athletics programme with representatives from 10 counties, including Staffordshire and Cheshire, competing in a full range of track and field events.

The competition will feature some of the best up-and-coming athletics talent in England.The Mason Trophy is a proven testing ground for young athletes who will go on to feature in Team GB at the Olympics Games and international championships in the future.

Cllr Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture, leisure and public health said:

“It is truly an honour to have the Mason Trophy returning to Stoke-on-Trent and Northwood Stadium this Saturday. Many GB internationals from City of Stoke AC, Jazmin Sawyers, Ashleigh Nelson, Ben Williams and Seamus Derbyshire, have all cut their teeth at the Mason Trophy events during successful junior careers.

“The Mason Trophy promises to be a fabulous day of track and field athletics and we extremely excited about its return to the city and I would like to wish all the participants the best of luck.”

The Mason Trophy is for school students from Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 who have excelled at county schools championships and is a major milestone on the way to the England Schools’ Athletics Association (ESAA) Track and Field Championships in Manchester on 8 and 9 July.The ‘English Schools’ as its known is England’s premier competition for school-age athletes.

City of Stoke Athletics and Community Sport have also signed a 40-year lease of the stadium, athletics track and other facilities at Northwood Stadium and will take charge from October 2022.

Bill Dixon, Chair for City of Stoke AC, said:

“'City of Stoke AC is delighted to welcome the Mason Trophy to Stoke-on-Trent and to Northwood Stadium.  We look forward to a great day of competition for young athletes from across the Midlands and North-West of England, and to hosting future events at Northwood across a range of sports for people in the local community and beyond.”