Biathlon has been discovered in the Southern Highlands of NSW!

Coming from an area with an abundance of outdoor sports, biathlon is a perfect fit for the region with its all-year-round focus and involvement.

After having missed the entry date to the 2018 NSW Laser Biathlon Junior Series, Oxley College’s Katrina Sparke, tracked down NSW Biathlon and wanted to know how to get biathlon into the Southern Highlands. So, a plan was formulated and a Come and Try Weekend held on 16 &17 February 2019.

The weekend focused on starting out on roller-skis and laser shooting and was a great success. The weekend catered for all different levels with none of the attendees having previously experienced the summer version of cross- country skiing and biathlon.

With the high level of interest, weekly sessions with Youth Olympian Darcie Morton were set up and the sport is flourishing!

Darcie focuses on fun and games for the younger development athletes, working on their balance and agility. For the older athletes, they are starting to develop greater competency with roller-skiing which will allow them to easily transfer the techniques they are learning onto snow at the Perisher Cross Country trails and Laser Biathlon Range.

Darcie says “It’s great working with such an interested and capable group of young athletes. They are all progressing so well and its been really rewarding for me.”

Including laser shooting has enhanced the children’s interest as it’s such a challenge (and then a reward) to be able to hit the target, especially when your heart rate is elevated from roller-skiing into the laser range!

For more information or to get involved, please email info@nswbiathlon.com.au or call 0407 510970