The Modern Pentathlon Association of Great Britain (MPAGB) held the 2006 British Biathlon Championships at a new date on the competitive calendar this year. The new date of May instead of November was changed in order to attract a larger field of entries where the competitive calendar is not so congested. This years Championships were held over one day at the Aquatic Centre and Sports City Stadium in Manchester; both venues were used for the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

16 year old Matthew Henry of Kelly College, who in November last year became the British Youth 15/16 years Boys Champion at the younger end of the age group, was in top form once again and successfully defended his title with a win in the swim and a fourth place finish in the run, totalling 2444 points for the combined event. Matthews’s performance was 52 points ahead of his nearest rival Christopher Wilkinson from Billingham. In the same age group Joshua Lake came 15th with 2168 points (Run 29th and Swim 3rd).

Kelly has a long established tradition of competing well in the team events and this year was no exception. In the Youth, category Kelly’s, Lawrence Oxborough, Andrew Chesters and Liam Yeo put up a tremendous performance in the 13/14 year old age group by winning the team gold medal with an impressive 500 point lead over their nearest rivals from Preston. The Kelly team’s closely matched individual results ensured the best aggregate performance of the day with Lawrence Oxborough leading the boys home with 2152 points in a tremendous 5th position overall (Run 13th and Swim 2nd), Andrew Chesters was next home with 2112 points in 10th position overall (Run 11th and Swim 12th), and Liam Yeo with 2088 points in 13thposition overall (Run 5th and Swim 24th). The combined total amounted to 6352 points which secured the Boys 13/14 years Team Championship for 2006.  Cameron Carpenter Warren who was competing at the younger end of this age group was placed a very encouraging 24th overall (Run 30th and Swim 21st).

In the Youth 17/18years Boys age group, Alex Hepworth, returning from injury, placed 11th overall with 2048 points (Run 16th and Swim 4th) and Saul Phillips  was 17th overall (run 17th and Swim 8th)with 1728 points.

13 year old Rebecca Windemer again at the younger end of the age group, in her first ever British Biathlon Championships representing Kelly College had a fantastic event and finished in 19th position in the run and 34th in the swim, placing her 22nd overall in the Youth 13/14 category, with an impressive points tally of 2196. 

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