North Somerset shot-putter wins gold at English Schools

Three junior members of North Somerset Athletics Club competed against the best young athletes in the country last weekend when they took part in the prestigious English Schools Athletics Association Track and Field Championships.

Shot-putters George H and Holly B, and 200m sprinter Martha L all represented Avon in the 93rd English Schools’ Track and Field Championships which took place on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th July at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

George’s putt of 15.51m put him well ahead of his rivals and secured him the gold medal in the senior boys shot, retaining the title he won in 2023.

Martha produced a personal best of 25.38 seconds to win silver in the junior girls 200m.

Her impressive time also saw her take the NSAC record again, beating her own previous PB of 25.39, which she set at this event last year.

Holly finished eighth in the shotput with a throw of 12.91m. (Image: NSAC)

Finally, Holly also had a successful competition, producing a huge personal best in the senior girls’ shotput of 12.91m to finish 8th on the day.

The impressive putt is the latest success for the Backwell School pupil, who recently broke longstanding school records in both the discus and the shotput.

Speaking about George, Holly and Martha’s success after the event NSAC lead coach Chris Millard said: “I am hugely proud of George, Martha and Holly.

“Getting to the English Schools event is a massive achievement in itself, but to perform so well on the big stage, against the best young athletes in the country, is really fantastic.

“Huge well done to them all.”

Martha came second in the junior girls 200m with a club record time of 25.38s. (Image: NSAC)

After the event the parents of the athletes also spoke of their pride. George’s mum, Joanne said: "George’s goal was to go back-to-back Gold and he is so happy to have done this.

"George absolutely loves this competition; it’s not just the event itself, but the team spirit, the travelling and staying away together, that make it such a fantastic experience for them all."

Martha’s Dad Robin said: “Martha has focused her whole season on qualifying and preparing for the English Schools championship after enjoying it so much last year.

“She loves travelling away with the county team and competing at such a magnificent stadium against the fastest girls in the country.

“Winning a silver medal was the icing on the cake of a brilliant weekend.”

Holly’s mum Lucy said: “Holly loves the entire experience of English schools, meeting new friends from Avon and across the country.

"She is proud to represent her County and carry the Avon flag at the start of the parade.”

Lucy added: “Holly’s had some real success in both shot and discus this year, managing to break Backwell School’s 45-year-old discus record as well as the shot-put record, which had stood for 26 years.

“She hopes her new records can stand for just as long!"