Two Year 10 Durham School pupils, Toby Hunter and Fiona Dewar, have qualified in their respective categories for a place in the National Finals of the British Schools’ Modern Biathlon Championships, which will be held in London on 27 March 2011.
Toby took fourth place and Fiona sixth in the Biathlon Regional Finals (swim/run), taking them through to the prestigious National Finals.
‘This is a tremendous achievement for Toby and Fiona as well as for Durham School,' said Mr Martin George, Headmaster of Durham School. 'We have built up a very strong team of athletes over the past few years, many of whom are also excelling in team sports such as rugby, hockey, netball, cricket and rowing whilst having to manage the demands of their academic studies. The dedication of the pupils and their excellent coaching staff has really paid off and they truly deserve their place at the National Finals.’
Two fellow pupils, Alex Brown (Year 9) and Rory Jackson (Year 8), qualified for the regional round, the British Semi Final Two North and Midlands and our congratulations go to them also.
Pentathlon GB, the governing body for the sport of Modern Pentathlon, organises the annual Schools’ Biathlon Qualifying Competitions which culminate in the British Schools’ Modern Biathlon Championships to be held at Crystal Palace on 27 March 2011. Pentathlon GB values the Schools’ Biathlon series of competitions and firmly believes they offer young people the opportunity to participate in multi-sport in an enjoyable, safe and competitive environment. The competition is an open invitation and all schools are eligible to compete. The competition comprises a 50m swim and 500m run for Year 5 to Year 7 pupils and teachers and a 100m swim and 1000m run for Years 8 to 12/13.
This year, the top six individual athletes and the top team and members thereof in each class from the twelve qualifying competitions are invited to compete in one of three semi-finals held in Macclesfield, Bath and Crystal Palace. The top six individual athletes and the top team and members thereof in each class from the three semi-finals then qualify by right to the British Championships.