Triathlon Australia names new Chief Executive

Triathlon Australia has announced the appointment of experienced sports leader, Tim Harradine, to the position of Chief Executive to deliver the sport’s vision and strategy.

Harradine has held executive leadership positions in sport, including with Triathlon Queensland as Executive Director, as Triathlon Australia’s National Operations Manager over the last two years, and is currently serving as interim Chief Executive of Triathlon Australia, overseeing the implementation of the future operating model.

Having made a notable impact throughout his career in triathlon; most recently through work on the future operating model, Harradine was also instrumental in leading the process of developing the current strategic plan for triathlon in collaboration with the five state and territory triathlon associations (STTAs).

Prior to triathlon, Harradine changed lanes from the sporting arena to sports administration, taking on roles with Baseball New South Wales including as the Chief Executive of Baseball NSW and the Sydney Blue Sox, after a successful elite baseball career in the USA where he worked and lived as an elite athlete and coach.

Advising that the sport has utmost confidence in the appointment and Harradine’s ability to lead the organisation through a change period, Triathlon Australia President, Michelle Cooper stated “every CEO our sport has had to date has filled a particular role based on our needs at the time. Tim represents the right CEO for triathlon now and into the future. We were seeking a dynamic, passionate, engaged leader who could bring some additional structure to our ambitious plans whilst providing the environment that will allow our people to really thrive.

“The appointment of an internal candidate through a highly contested recruitment process validates that career development opportunities for our people in our new operating model are not just an intention, but a reality.

“The calibre of candidates who applied for the position was testament to the desirability of the triathlon brand in the market. You simply do not attract the quality of candidates we saw - from international multinational company executives through to highly experienced sports administrators - without a strong brand and sound strategic plan.

“Our priority remains clearly focused on enhancing the experience for all our members, from those having their first interactions with our sport, through to our army of volunteers, the network of experienced race directors to our age group and elite athletes, our coaches and other key stakeholders.

“We are confident that Tim understands that is the lens through which all our decisions are made and that our desire for constant improvement continues unabated.”

Excited to take on his new role, Harradine (pictured) added “there’s a clear forward-vision for triathlon in Australia, and we have a lot of ground to cover to make sure we can take advantage of the runway into 2026 and 2032, as well as build a legacy for the sport beyond that.

“It’s a really exciting time for triathlon. We’re very early in the transition, but already there are so many opportunities presented under the new operating model for us to collectively realise triathlon’s full potential in Australia.”

Harradine’s appointment will take immediate effect, with a focus on successfully implementing the future operating model and bringing the aligned workforce together under one organisational structure.