Changes to the Competition Calendar

In light of the new restrictions in England coming into effect on 05 November British Weight Lifting has made changes to the remaining competition calendar for 2020 and to the first stages of the 2021 schedule.

We are closely monitoring the latest government guidance to ensure the competition calendar provides the best possible competition opportunities to all BWL members. 

British Weight Lifting will continue to work closely with the Home Nation weightlifting federations to ensure that the competition calendar reflects the different levels of guidance across the UK, and to provide a flexible and inclusive offer to all our members.

Changes to remaining 2020 competition calendar

Regional Open Series

• The BWL Virtual South Open Series taking place between 12 October and 09 November will not be affected.  This competition will close as scheduled on 09 November.
• No additional Regional Open Series events will take place in 2020. This affects the North, South and Midlands round 3 competitions schedule from 09 November to 06 December.
• The Regional Open Series standings will be calculated from the events that have taken place, with prize money reduced to reflect the shortened series. The new prize fund will be:
  • Senior: £135
  • Masters: £65
  • Youth: PulseRoll Foam Roller 

Virtual British Championships

• The Virtual British Championships event scheduled for 28-29 November will not take place.  This event will not be rescheduled in 2020.
• BWL is reviewing the option to offer an additional virtual competition in December which can be used for qualification. This is dependent on the level of restrictions in place across the UK. More information will be communicated in due course.

 
Other Virtual Events

• The Virtual Welsh and Scottish Open competitions will continue as planned:
  • Virtual Welsh Open: 12 October – 30 November
  • Virtual Scottish Open: 22 October – 09 November
• BWL has agreed with Weightlifting Wales and Weightlifting Scotland that lifters within England can enter these events as Guest lifters to record official totals.
• BWL is reviewing the option to offer an additional virtual competition in December which can be used for qualification.  This is dependent on the level of restrictions in place across the UK.  More information will be communicated in due course.

 
Lockdown Lift Off

• Lockdown Lift Off will return in November and will be available to all BWL members across the UK. 
• This competition will remain free-to-enter to BWL members.
• More information will be released about the return of Lockdown Lift Off on the BWL website in the coming days.

 
Changes to 2021 Competition Calendar

Virtual British Open Series

• The successor to the Regional Open Series, the British Open Series will open as scheduled on 01 January, subject to review of restriction in place at that time.
• This virtual event will open to all BWL members across the UK and will be recognised for qualification and rankings.

 
Virtual England Age Group Championships

• The Virtual England Age Group Championships scheduled for 08-15 February will be expanded to include a Senior and Masters age group. 
• This competition will be re-named the Virtual England Open 2021.
• This competition will have no qualification totals.  Instead lifters must have competed in any BWL registered event (including virtual) between 01 January 2019 and end of the entry period.
• More information about this competition including entry dates and fees will be published on the BWL website in the coming days.

 
BUCS Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting Championships (formerly British University and College Championships)

• This event will take place as scheduled in April 2021.
• BWL is liaising with BUCS on the virtual delivery of this event.
• More information will be available closer to the time.

 
British Weightlifting Championships

• The British Weightlifting Championships schedule for 25-27 June 2021 at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool is not currently affected.  This event is scheduled to take place as planned.