TWO YOUNG winter sports stars have been watching the Winter Olympics from Barnsley this week and are hoping to represent Great Britain in that event in the future.

Alex Oldale, from Hoyland, is a professional ice hockey netminder with the Sheffield Steelers and Steeldogs, while Charlotte Mincher is part of the Great Britain biathlon squad.

Oldale, 21, is hoping to eventually earn a call-up for an improving Great Britain team which reached the final stages of qualifying for the current Winter Olympics in Milan.

Oldale told the Chronicle: “To play for GB in the Winter Olympics would be my ultimate dream and you couldn’t get better than that.

“The sport is growing in the UK every day in terms of the fanbases, funding and the quality of coaching and players. I literally see it getting better from one day to the next.

“It’s only a matter of time before we become a more respected opponent for big countries.

“I have been fortunate enough to play for GB at youth level and you can’t describe the feeling. I am working really hard to achieve that at senior level.

“It’s just about working hard and impressing the right people at the right time.”

Mincher grew up in Canada to parents from Barnsley through whom she qualifies to compete for Great Britain.

She is in the GB squad for biathlon which combines cross country skiing with rifle shooting.

The 17-year-old is due to compete in the Junior World Championships in Germany in early March, in which she is looking to finish at least in the top 70.

She has been in Barnsley this week, staying with family before flying out to Norway where she has been training regularly and where she may potentially move to train full-time in the near future.

Charlotte told the Chronicle: “My goal is the 2030 Olympics (in the French Alps). I love representing GB at any event but, ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to get to the Olympics.

“It’s so inspirational to watch and it really motivates me to get to the next one.

“It’s really difficult in my sport because people usually peak in their 20s so I am working on getting better all the time.”

Charlotte is supporting Jacques Jefferies and Shawna Pendry who are representing GB in biathlon at the current Olympics.

“I trained with Jacques in Austria.

“He is such a kind guy, down to Earth and humble. He’s a great role model.

“I have known Shawna a few years and stayed at her house in France.

“She’s a dedicated and focused athlete.

“I can learn a lot from them.”

Oldale started competing in roller hockey after attending a cousin’s birthday party aged eight, then transitioned to ice hockey. The first time he wore a goalie kit on the ice was as a Steelers mascot aged 12 and he soon joined the academy in Sheffield.

He spent two seasons with the Manchester Storm, playing some games in the top flight, before returning for this season on a two-way contract with the Steelers and Steeldogs.

He has been playing for the Steeldogs who are currently second in the second tier and are due to face Leeds Knights in the National Cup final.

Alex said: “I love it. I can live at home while playing my sport and doing my job.

“Hopefully I can win some silverware with the Steeldogs.

“I have not had the chance to ice with the Steelers during a game, but I still train with that group every day.

“It’s a process. I never signed with the intention of walking in and thinking I deserve the position of starting goalie in such a prestigious organisation.

“I liked the development programme they had for me and so far I’ve absolutely not been disappointed.

“I want to play games for the Steelers in the next few seasons but I just need to work hard and wait for my chance.”