AusTriathlon appoints new High Performance Director

AusTriathlon has welcomed Shaun Stephens as their new High Performance Director to oversee the program through to the LA Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Stephens will commence in the role of High Performance Director towards the end of November.

After undergoing an international search for a new leader to manage both the Olympic and Paralympic high performance programs, the AusTriathlon Board is pleased to welcome Stephens who brings to more 25 years experience working within the high performance sporting sector.

Stephens will join the AusTriathlon senior management team having recently served as the Executive Director of High Performance with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS).  He brings to the role experience from the QAS as well as other national sporting organisations which he will combine with his knowledge and expertise in triathlon, having held the role of Performance Manager & Head Coach of Triathlon with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

AusTriathlon Chief Executive, Tim Harradine noted “not only does Shaun bring a wealth of experience to the role having served as part of the high performance system at national and international levels in the last 25 years, he also has a strong understanding of our sport.

“As we transition into the new Olympic & Paralympic cycle, the Board was keen to have this critical role in place early to implement our new 2032+ High Performance Strategy to ensure we see our vision of ‘extraordinary performances and people inspiring the nation’ come to life.”

Stephens is excited to return to AusTriathlon and hit the ground running as the planning ramps up towards LA 2028 but also Brisbane 2032.

“Having not worked in Triathlon for over a decade, I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with the sport that I am passionate about.

“Australia has an incredible history of producing champion triathletes.  I feel privileged but also an incredible sense of responsibility to ensure Australia re-establishes itself as a world leading triathlon nation.

“There’s no doubt there is an enormous amount of work required to strengthen the high performance program, enhance the athlete pipeline and support the current group of athletes to become world beaters. 

“I’m up for the challenge and look forward to leading the implementation of the high performance strategy.

"I'm looking forward to implementing many of the learnings I've been fortunate to experience over the past decade working with some of the best athletes, coaches and sports administrators in the world in TeamSky, Paddle Australia and the QAS.

“I’m extremely grateful and fortunate for the learnings and experiences I gained at the QAS and look forward to working with the QAS team in my new capacity.”

Image. Credit: Australian Canoeing