Are you between the ages of 12 and 18? Are you interested in being a Triathlete?
If the answer is yes then here is what you need to know
What is triathlon?
The Olympic Sport of Triathlon is a continuous swim, bike, run race held over the following distances.
Swim: Cycle (Grass) Cycle (Tarmac): Run
- TriStar Start (8 Years) 50m 800m 1.5km 600m
- TriStar 1 (9 - 10 Years) 150m 2km 4km 1.2km
- TriStar 2 (11 - 12 Years) 200m 4km 6km 1.8km
- TriStar 3 (13 - 14 Years) 300m 6km 8km 2.4km
- Youths 15-16 years may compete up to 750m 20km 5km but will race 400m 10km 2.5km as standard
- Juniors 17-18years may compete up to Olympic Distance 1500m 40km 10km but will race “Sprint Distance” 750m 20km 5km as standard.
The Triathlon season runs from May to September. Click here to see details of the South West Childrens series and here to see provisional national youth and junior races. Associated sports include the non Olympic disciplines of Duathlon; (run, bike, run) and Aquathlon; (Swim, Run)
At Junior level and above major events will be held in open water and drafting (group riding on the bike) will be permitted.
What is the South West Academy?
The South West Academy has been set up to identify and support the development of talented young athletes in the region. Over the winter the academy will meet once a month at different locations across the South West to nurture and develop triathlon specific skills giving its members access to the best coaching and facilities available. Over the summer academy coaches will provide support and training at and around races. Athletes who are selected to join the academy will receive mentoring and support from some of the best coaches in the country. As well as the opportunity to attend exciting and varied training days covering aspects such as mountain biking, track riding, open water swimming, athlete education and transition work. The academy coaches’ role will be to liaise between an athlete’s school or individual sports coaches to insure they are undertaking a sensible and balanced training and racing schedule that gives them the best chance to go on to be successful athletes in years to come.
How do I apply?
Click here to download an academy application form then return it by email to davidhooper@britishtriathlon.org or by post to David Hooper, Triathlon England, Quays Swimming and diving Complex, 27 Harbour Parade, Southampton, SO15 1BA Applications for the 2nd March trials day close on Monday the 25th February.
Who should apply to attend the selection day?
Any athlete between the ages of 12 and 18 who is interested in Triathlon can attend the selection day. We are particularly keen to hear from successful single discipline athletes who would like to try their hand at multisport racing. The times below give an indication of the minimum standard that would be likely to gain selection. However all those who attend and are not selected to the academy will receive individual feedback on how they can progress with their training and will be kept updated with races in the South West and opportunities for future selection.
When will selection days be held?
Selection days will be held twice a year, before the season in February/March and at the end of the season in September/October.
Who will be selected?
10-15 athletes will be selected to the academy depending on the standard of applicants. Whilst the times above give a base line indication of the standard that is likely to be required the final decision on academy selection will be made by the South West Talent Coach in discussion with the academy coaches. It is not necessarily the fastest athletes who will be selected, but those who show the most potential for development and those who the coaches feel will benefit most from inclusion in the academy.
A youngsters training history, stage of physical development and attitude will be taken into consideration in selecting the squad. If appropriate between 1 and 5 athletes may be selected to attend the academy on a less regular basis, this would allow athletes who are heavily involved in a swim or run training schedule to experience triathlon and develop skills without becoming full members of the academy, it may also be used if an athlete is based in a far corner of the region and travelling to a training day once a month in unfeasible. Continued inclusion in the academy will again be based on attitude, commitment and potential to develop, after 6 months in the academy some athletes will be given single discipline goals to reach in order to gain re selection at a future date.
Guideline, base level Academy times.
- 12 years Swim 200m Run 1km Boys 2.43 3.57 Girls 2.50 4.09
- 13 years Swim 200m Run 1500m Boys 2.44 5.42 Girls 2.47 5.58
- 14 years Swim 200m Run 1500m Boys 2.34 5.22 Girls 2.43 5.52
- 15 years Swim 200m Run 1500m Boys 2.30 5.16 Girls 2.39 5.49
- 16 years 400m 3km Boys 5.20 11.00 Girls 5.45 12.30
- 17 years 400m 3km Boys 5.06 10.53 Girls 5.29 12.10
*Athletes with higher scores in one discipline and limited history in the other will also be considered
What will happen on the selection day?
A swim time trial will take place in the 50m pool in the morning and after approximately a 2hr gap a run time trial will take place on the 400m track outside the swimming pool. Between the two there will be a talk for parents and athletes on the aims of the Academy and a chance to ask any questions. Athletes will be informed by email within 2 weeks if there application has been successful or should there application be unsuccessful what they need to work on to be considered for selection at the next trials day.
What will being part of the academy cost?
The Academy is not run to make a profit, thanks to the support from Triathlon England and Mazda there will be no charge to the athletes for the cost of coaching. Depending on the content of the training day there will usually be a cost for facility usage, this will differ depending on the activity on each individual training day. We will endeavour to keep all cost to a minimum. If any athlete is unable to attend due to the costs involved please inform us and we may be able to suggest forms of additional financial support.
What’s the standard Like in Triathlon?
As an indication of National standards British triathlon have created a points matrix and assigned Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold plus ratings to time trial results for each age group. To see the full points table click here Gold +: 360 points and higher. No more than 190 points per individual event counts towards point score. This is the level where an athlete becomes eligible to be selected onto national training camps and funded programs Gold: 340-360. No more than 180 points from each individual event Silver: 310-340. No more than 170 points from each individual event Bronze: 270-310. No more than 160 points from each individual event
So what do I do next?
If you’re keen to get involved then either submit an application for the academy or enter a race in the South West children’s series. If you need any further advice then contact David Hooper the South West Triathlon Development Officer davidhooper@britishtriathlon.org
Related documents