AFTER a successful debut, a skills school aimed at young triathletes is returning to Hexham.

British Triathlon is returning its children’s sessions to Wentworth Leisure Centre on February 5, the school focused around running and swimming skills.

The aim of the session is to develop key triathlon skills to athletes aged between 10 and 16 years, exploring these through play and creative and innovative activities.

In addition to practical skills, technical, tactical and mental skills will be developed throughout.

Having experience of triathlon is not essential, although all must be able to meet the 5-5-5 criteria.

The criteria requires people to be able to swim, bike and run for five minutes continually in each of the three disciplines.

The Hexham event will run between midday and 4.30pm, and is one of three upcoming schools in the North-East. The first one will take place at Silksworth Leisure Centre, in Sunderland, this Sunday, with the venue to be used again to host an event on Sunday, March 26.

The sessions will again be led by Tynedale-based instructor Phil Jameson, through his role as North East Skills School for British Triathlon.

To book a place on any of the sessions, head to www.britishtriathlon.org/skillsschool.