ALL three Swindon Harriers selected to represent Wiltshire at the English Schools’ Track & Field Championships will be making their debuts at the event, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The trio of 14-year-old Zoe-Ann Bishop, 16-year-old Gam Dumbutshena and Abby Miles, also 16, all made the 25-strong squad travelled to Gateshead yesterday for the two-day self-styled ‘kids’ Olympics that begins today.

“All three athletes have done really well to make the team,” said Harriers coach Tony Jackson.

“They have all worked really hard during the winter and that shows this season.”

Jackson works closely with long jumpers Miles (Lydiard Park Academy) and Dumbutshena (Ridgeway), who will compete in the inter age group events.

Both athletes have made significant progress this summer, Miles improving from 5.21m to 5.32m and Dumbutshena soaring from 5.47m to 6.50m.

“Both Gam and Abby have really hit their stride this season and I am not surprised at all they have made the team,” added Jackson.

“Gam has improved his personal best a few times this season, won the Wiltshire Schools’ title and was runner-up in the South West with another big jump.

“Abby also had a big jump in the South West and they have both been training really well. I have tried to explain to them that the English Schools’ is a different standard all together and they will need to up their game again to a new level.

“They are both looking sharp in training this week but I can tell they are also getting a bit nervous but this weekend will give them a taste of it and then they can come back again next year and build upon that.”

Such will be the standard at Gateshead both athletes will do well to make the final.

Wootton Bassett School student Bishop is the only junior girl in the team which is a great tribute to her success in the technical challenging event of the hammer this season.

The 14-year-old has improved from 20.18m in 2014 to 30.35m recently, lifting her to fifth in the South West Rankings.

“Zoe has tried all sorts of different events at the club and has done really well at the hammer, which is a difficult event,” added Jackson.

Also in the squad is Malmesbury School’s Zoe Wassell, who will contest the inter girls’ 3000m.