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15 May 2017
Mia Goodale from St Swithun’s Junior School, Winchester has qualified to represent Great Britain in biathle at the European Championships this summer. Mia’s selection followed on from her success at the National Schools Biathlon championships in March 2017 where she came second in the U11 category.
On 30th April, sports scholar Mia and three team mates travelled to Cheltenham to take part in a qualifying biathle event. Mia completed a continuous 400m run followed by a 50m swim and finished with another 400m run, competing against the best in her age group from schools and clubs from all over Britain. Mia was selected to represent GB, with her three St Swithun’s Junior School team mates narrowly missing out on qualification.
Mia has already begun training for the European Championships, which take place in Portugal this summer. The event includes open water swimming.
Mia’s success comes as the sport offering at St Swithun’s Junior School reaches new heights, with a special focus on biathlon and cross country events. “Dash and Splash” events run four times per term, encouraging all girls in Years 3 to 5 to try their hand at Biathlon, with an 800m run, and a 50m swim. They receive top tips from St Swithun’s sports coaches on how to improve their technique at school clubs such as cross country. Top Pentathlon competitor and World Cup gold medallist Kate French recently visited the school to inspire the girls and pass on invaluable tips.
Director of Sport at St Swithun’s Junior School Roger Marshall said: “Mia has had a brilliant year competing in biathlon and we wish her every success for the European Biathle Championships this summer. Biathlon and cross country is proving a popular sport at St Swithun’s Junior School with a number of girls showing an interest in competing.”
