The Wessex Track and Field Young Athletes League started back in 1989 as the Andover Doves league with just a handful of clubs competing in the under thirteen age group. As time went on the number of clubs and age groups competing slowly increased to include under fifteen, seventeen and twenty age groups (there is also separate under eleven's challenge).

Despite several dips in its fortunes and name changes, the competition has prospered, thanks to a dedicated group of enthusiasts, largely as a development competition for clubs, big and small in the "Wessex" area.

Clubs compete on a league basis of four matches evenly spread around as much as possible on a club strength and geographical basis. Trophies are awarded to the league champions as well as age groups. Medals are awarded to athletes of the match (boys and girls in both track and field events). In addition at the end of the season any record breakers are also awarded medals.  

In order to keep costs down, virtually all admin etc is carried out by email. As a result, annual subscriptions, helped by some modest sponsorship, are kept to a minimum.

Several well known names hold league records in their age groups. They include Robert Tobin (Basingstoke) 400m, Sian Scott (Bournemouth) 300m, Hannah England (Oxford) 800m and Kelly Morgan (Salisbury) javelin just to name a few.