The South West Athletics League (SWAL) started in the 1991 season with clubs competing in three divisions. Many of the clubs had previously been active in either the Avalon League (Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire) or the Westward League (Devon and Cornwall), but the merger of these two competitions allowed some new clubs to enter for the first time. 

The list of the clubs in the 1992 season was : 

The three division structure continued until 1996 season when the second and third divisions were merged and divided regionally into Division 2 (East) and Division 2 (West). This did not prove popular as the western division was very similar to the Devon League, so a more flexible system of two Division 2 fixtures on the same day at different venues operated until a reduced number of clubs required only one match.

The number of SWAL clubs has dwindled over the years. Several of the region's largest clubs do not favour SWAL's formula of opportunities for all ages within the same match, preferring to focus on specific age group competitions. A spate of mergers has led to fewer clubs in the region. On the other hand there are still clubs joining for the first time. Cornwall AC and Poole Runners have rapidly moved through to the top end of the League.