Competing for England and Team GB a tremendous honour for Hazlegrove pupils

Eight Hazlegrove pupils have had the experience of a lifetime recently either representing England or Team GB in four different competitions – European Triathle Championships, World Triathle Championships, World Laser-Run finals and NSEA Nations Cup.

Hazlegrove pupils have enjoyed considerable success in a number of competitions recently which has resulted in them being selected to represent England and Team GB. This is a tremendous honour and has provided these children with fabulous experiences so early in their sporting lives.

Firstly, Alex Richmond, Angus Evans and Carina Hand travelled to Portugal as part of the Team GB at the European Triathle Championships. Triathlon is a continuous shoot, swim and run event and all three performed brilliantly with Angus bringing home a bronze medal in the mixed relay event. Alex and Carina also qualified alongside Josh Cobb to compete for Team GB at the World Biathlete (continuous run, swim, run) and Triathlon Championships in Vivero, Spain - a huge achievement. Unfortunately Josh was unable to attend but Alex and Carina had a wonderful experience taking part with Carina bringing home team bronze.

Oliver Lorenz’s speciality is the Laser-Run event which combines laser pistol shooting with running in four rounds – athletes have to hit the target 5 times before they can move onto the run and then repeat the whole process continuously until the end. Having been selected for team GB for the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) World Finals, Oliver travelled to Cape Town in South Africa to take part with great success. Oliver was delighted to win silver medals as part of the U13 boys’ team and in the U13 mixed relay.

Last and by no means least are the team of Hazlegrove riders, Emily Weeks, Josh Cobb, Anna Ingvaldson and Jake Fisher who literally carried the flag for England at the National Schools Equestrian Association’s (NSEA) showcase Nations Cup event. The team had earned the right to represent England by winning the Schools County Show Jumping Competition for Somerset and going on to become National County Champions last spring. Having been presented with St George’s England badges, the riders took part in a parade where Emily was tasked with carrying the England flag. A tense competition ensued with all four Hazlegrove riders jumping clear rounds in very good times ending up in second place just 0.4s behind Scotland. It was a brilliant evening which the children will remember for many years to come.

“These are tremendous achievements which are testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone concerned” says new Hazlegrove Headmaster, Mark White. 

“Since joining Hazlegrove in September I have enjoyed watching the endeavours of all the children on the sports fields, whether it be the seven and eight year olds experiencing their first sports matches, the squash players enjoying a Friday evening derby against another school or the U13 teams at the top of their game. It is really good to see the children enjoying sport and being supported and encouraged by the games staff at every level.”

Angus, Alex and Carina took part in the European Triathle Championships

Josh, Jake, Emma and Anna represented England at the NSEA's Nations Cup

Oliver at the Laser-Run finals in South Africa