Triathlon Youth Foundation launched

Triathlon New Zealand has launched a new initiative to strengthen youth pathways into the sport.

First announced to students, teachers, coaches and parents at the recent Contact National Schools Championships, the Triathlon Youth Foundation will support youth development activities through an athlete stream, a Secondary Schools partnership stream and a coach development stream.

The Triathlon Youth Foundation will use (and replace) the existing New Zealand Triathlete Youth Trust, a legally registered charity. The current trustees Alan Nelson (founder of the Trust), Barry Larsen and Peter Fitzsimmons have consented to this evolution of the Trust and the application of its accumulated funds to the Foundation.

Fitzsimmons will Chair the Foundation and spoke to the crowds in attendance in Auckland today, with the announcement made in between the ITU Elite Mens and Womens races, the opening round of the ITU World Triathlon Series.

He explained "over the years of triathlon in New Zealand, tens of thousands of New Zealanders have enjoyed a 'triathlon experience'.

"As at 2012 there have been 115,000 people compete in a triathlon over a 12 month period, ranging in age from five to 79 years. They have defined the nature of their participation with the majority stating that they 'did a triathlon'.

"We are seeking to shift this paradigm, especially with young people so the majority are saying that they 'do triathlon' and see it as a part of their recreation on an ongoing basis."

Triathlon New Zealand High Performance Director Graeme Maw says the High Performance Programme will work closely with the Foundation and will commit funds annually to assist it in delivering to its objectives, adding "the Triathlon Youth Foundation will enable us to throw a spotlight on youth development, bridging from the stimulus that the Weetbix series gives for children.

"From the perspective of talent development, it will provide support and inspiration for those with ambition beyond the 2020 Olympic Games. It will enable us to work more closely with the highest potential youth athletes in the country, in relation to coaching and sports education, and to work with their coaches in best-practise long-term development.

"We have the support of past heroes like Hamish Carter, Bevan Docherty, Debbie Tanner and Evelyn Williamson to truly inspire the next generation as we help to give them a leg up with their ambitions."

Fitzsimmons says school students are the key demographic for the Foundation, adding "it is envisaged that a wide range of opportunities will be provided to supporters of the Foundation and we will be providing more details of how people can be involved and the various ways in which people will benefit. The students, coaches and parents at school level are, however, our primary target group."

Coaching and Youth manager Brett Reid says the Foundation will also provide a mechanism for partnering with secondary schools and supporting youth coaches.

"One of the Foundation's goals is to assist secondary schools to develop triathlon programmes. There are some strong programmes around the country but we believe the opportunity exists to greatly increase the number of school-based, coach-led programmes, all of which will feed into the regional and national schools competitions.

"In addition, the Foundation will provide youth coaches to further their skills and knowledge around youth triathlon."

Further details of The Triathlon Youth Foundation and the ways in which it will benefit the triathlon community and the youth of New Zealand will be revealed over the coming months. The priority for the Foundation in the short term is establishing an administrative framework and the appointing of a panel of advisory trustees.

For more information contact Brett Reid at email: brett.reid@triathlon.org.nz or go to www.triathlon.org.nz

5th January 2010 - NEW ZEALAND TRIATHLON A ‘CONTACT’ SPORT