Case study: Swiss-Ski's national recruitment pathway inspires grassroots growth

As part of the Biathlon 4 All Project Coordinators Meeting in Salzburg, Selina Gasparin of Swiss-Ski presented Switzerland's national recruitment strategy, showcasing how a structured pathway can introduce thousands of young people to biathlon and guide them towards club participation and competitive sport.

Rather than relying on a single initiative, Swiss-Ski has built a connected pathway consisting of three strategic action areas - Biathlon 4 All, Biathlon for You, and Biathlon 4 Club - supported by the Grand Prix Migros competition series. Together, these programmes provide opportunities for children to discover biathlon, learn its fundamentals and continue into regular training.

The Biathlon 4 All programme focuses on introductory events designed to make the sport fun and accessible for people of all ages. By offering laser shooting activities in a welcoming environment, the programme strengthens the image of biathlon, expands the grassroots community and removes barriers often associated with shooting sports.

A key element of the recruitment strategy is Biathlon for You, which brings biathlon directly into primary schools. Building on the legacy of the World Championships in Graubünden, Swiss-Ski delivers physical education lessons that introduce children to the sport while identifying those interested in joining local clubs.

For young athletes ready to take the next step, Biathlon 4 Club supports Nordic ski clubs that may not have permanent biathlon infrastructure. Using laser rifles as an alternative to air rifles, clubs can organise training sessions and competitions for athletes under the age of 15, making participation easier and more affordable.

One of the highlights of the pathway is the Grand Prix Migros, the world's largest children's alpine ski race. Established in 1972, the series attracts around 6,500 children aged 8 to 16 across 11 qualifying events and a final. Swiss-Ski has successfully integrated Nordic disciplines into the event through the Grand Prix Migros Nordic, which brings together alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and biathlon. Around 600 Nordic athletes participate annually, while the combined event welcomes almost 7,000 young participants as one Swiss-Ski family.

The presentation also demonstrated how Swiss-Ski introduces shooting skills through simple educational exercises before participants ever pick up a laser rifle. Activities such as target throwing, aiming, body positioning, breathing and trigger control help children understand the fundamentals of biathlon in a playful and safe way, using everyday materials and easy-to-follow learning objectives.

Looking ahead, Swiss-Ski plans to continue building on existing partnerships, participate in new events to reach wider audiences, organise inclusive biathlon activities and expand youth programmes by encouraging more clubs to offer biathlon. Positive feedback from both clubs and participants has reinforced the value of this long-term approach to developing the next generation of biathletes.

See the full presentation on IBU Learning Suite.