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This week’s announcement that Australia will once again host an event in the International Triathlon Union’s World Triathlon Series, is seen as having huge significance for the sport at a time when its participation numbers are growing.

While Australia is one of the world’s key triathlon and multisport markets, it last hosted a World Triathlon Series event in 2012.

However, during that time the number of Australians joining triathlon groups throughout the country has more than doubled in the past five years, with a growing interest in multisport events as well as juniors swelling the sport’s ranks.

Figures in Triathlon Australia’s last annual report show that numbers joining triathlon groups has more reached 20,553 members in the past financial year compared to 9,735 members in 2010/11.

Triathlon Australia also recorded a 20% increase into triathlon events in 2012/13.

Having completed a review of its strategic plan in early 2013, Triathlon Australia has been looking to enhance its membership levels, diversity in member benefits and improve its relationships with event directors.

Commenting on the increases in participation, Triathlon Australia President David Ferrier stated "these initiatives have been driven by co-operation of the hard working executive resources within our sport, the efforts of a united group of Presidents - together with their Boards - and a group of forward thinking directors.

"While the further evolution of our sport will come from the continued efforts of these groups, all of this would be in vain without our members. 

"If we continue to keep this front of mind as we manage our associations, we will continue the move forward as a sport."

Looking to expand the sport and its youth participation, Triathlon Australia Chief Executive Anne Gripper adds "our aim is to ensure that members of our triathlon community can achieve the level of skill, fitness and performance to which they aspire. 

"The availability of novice events makes it possible for newcomers to achieve the completion of their very first triathlon."

Welcoming the announcement that the Gold Coast will host a World Triathlon Series race in 2015, Gripper expressed her “delight” that Australia would once again host a race in the top tier World Triathlon Series, saying “it is great that Australian athletes will have the chance to secure Olympic and ITU ranking points, competing on home soil against the best athletes in the world in a high-quality event staged by trusted event organisers IRONMAN Asia Pacific and backed by Tourism and Events Queensland and the Gold Coast City Council.”

Click here to view the Triathlon Australia Annual Report 2012/13.

Image courtesy of The Cairns Airport Adventure Festival.

8th September 2014 - ITU WORLD TRIATHLON SERIES TO RETURN TO AUSTRALIA WITH GOLD COAST EVENT

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