About Us


	The British Biathlon Union (BBU) was formed in 1996. The BBU is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of Biathlon in Great Britain (GBR) and is run by a volunteer Board of Directors on behalf of the athletes and members.

	The BBU is a full member of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), the British Olympic Association (BOA) National Olympic Committee (NOC), and UK Sport.

	The BBU is funded almost entirely by sponsors, by the IBU, by the Army Winter Sports Association or by the athletes themselves. There is no financial support from The BOA, UK Sport, Sport England, Sportscotland or the National Lottery. Our budget is, sadly, only one third of the bare minimum we need to make a real impact on the world scene.

	The BBU trains and selects male and female athletes to represent GBR at Olympic, World and IBU Cup (formerly European Cup). The BBU runs a National Development Squad (NDS). In the past there have also been Paralympic athletes, but there are none at present, and all Paralympic biathlon is now covered by the British Paralympic Association (BPA). Nearly all biathletes in Great Britain are serving members of the Armed Forces, and the Army is effectively our main sponsor.

	The British National Championships take place in Ruhpolding, Germany, in January, where the National Squad also trains. The NDS courses are held at East Grange Biathlon Centre in Kinloss (07811 380438).

	The BBU is run on a voluntary basis by the BBU Board. We pay for a "part time" Secretary General and a German Wax Technician "on the circuit" in winter. The Army kindly provides a second Team Coach. Development Courses are contracted out to East Grange BC, supported by Army coaches. Financial constraints mean we have no Performance Director or other paid support staff. We admit this is not an acceptable way to run an Olympic sport!