Two rising stars from Lathallan School have been selected to join Team GB for the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Maribor, Slovenia from 23-29 July. Maribor will welcome the best young athletes from 48 countries for the 17th edition of the summer EYOF.
This year’s event will feature 39 athletes from Team GB across three sports. Arabella Blackburn will compete in cycling, while Dean Fearn will compete in swimming, and uniquely, they’re both in the same year group at Lathallan School, in Johnshaven.
Stonehaven cycling talent Arabella Blackburn, aged 15, said,
“I am really excited to be representing Team GB because it really is a dream coming true to be going to the Youth Olympics this summer. I am looking forward to riding as part of a team, to experience the time trial on the airport runway and the road race around Maribor. My first introduction to competitive cycling was with the after school triathlon club at Lathallan when I was 10 years old, that’s where I realised how much I enjoyed racing. I then went on to join my local cycling club (Deeside Thistle) where I started racing in Scotland, then nationally in the UK, and eventually internationally. I have since been taking part across different disciplines in road, cyclocross and track.”
Headmaster at Lathallan School, Richard Toley said,
“Arabella and Dean have shown exceptional talent and dedication to their sports since their early years in our Junior School at Lathallan, and we are thrilled that they will have the opportunity to compete at such a high level. They are an inspiration to our school community, and we wish them the best of luck in their events this summer. Lathallan School is committed to fostering a culture of excellence and achievement, and we are proud to support our students in pursuing their passions and achieving their goals. We look forward to cheering Arabella and Dean on from afar and celebrating their successes with them upon their return.”
Scottish Cycling Endurance Coach, PJ Barron, said,
“Arabella’s selection for the European Youth Olympic Festival is a great achievement and hopefully one of many in her future as a cyclist. The EYOF offers a great opportunity for her to experience a multi-sport Games and learn how to deal with the many new experiences and distractions that come with it, and still perform on an international stage. Arabella has raced well domestically this year and so this will be a fantastic opportunity to express herself at the next level.”
It’s a double celebration for Dean Fearn as he has also been selected to join Team Scotland alongside athletes from five other sports for the Commonwealth Youth Games. The swimming competition will take place at The National Aquatic Centre in Couva on the Island of Trinidad between the 6-9 August 2023.
Swimmer Dean Fearn, aged 15 said,
“This summer is going to be the one to remember for sure! First, it’s the European Youth Olympics in Slovenia, then, I come home for one night, and I’m flying over to Trinidad the next morning to take part in the Commonwealth Youth Games. I feel very privileged to be representing Scotland. I’m focusing on my training with lots to look forward to – I am very excited about these opportunities.”
Chef de Mission, Chris Purdie, said,
“The Youth Games are an exciting first step into Commonwealth competition and provide the ideal platform for young athletes to develop and gain competition experience for future events. I would like to congratulate all of them on their selection and wish them every success at Trinbago 2023.”
Scottish Swimming’s National Coach, Ian Wright, said of the selections,
“After achieving nomination criteria in the Trials events in April, we are now delighted to announce the final list of swimmers who will compete for Scotland at Trinbago 2023. We believe we have a strong squad heading to the Games and anticipate challenging for medals on a number of fronts. There was a maximum of 8 swimming places available and it proved to be a very tough decision who would make the final cut.”