Thousands of children across Great Britain will be taking part in mini-triathlons this year after Tata Steel extended its sponsorship of British Triathlon.

 

The new three-year agreement will be focused on the children’s triathlon series Tata – Kids of Steel® which aims to inspire young people of all abilities to get active and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

 

Some 8,000 children are expected to take part in this year’s series at nine venues across Great Britain – Corby, Scunthorpe, Workington, Teesside and Sheffield in England; Wishaw in Scotland; and Mold, Swansea and Newport in Wales – see below for full list of events and dates.

 

Myra Rooselaar, who heads up Tata Steel’s corporate responsibility, said: “We are very proud to extend our long-term relationship with British Triathlon as its Community Sponsor. Our continued sponsorship will give children in communities across the country the chance to have a go at a triathlon and experience how much fun sport can be. 

 

“Seeing children complete a mini-triathlon is incredibly rewarding and inspirational, both for the kids and for our many employee volunteers, who support the events. The energy, excitement, enthusiasm and camaraderie is contagious for young and old.”

 

Current World Champion triathlete Non Stanford said: "Tata – Kids of Steel® events are fantastic. Children love taking part, regardless of their ability and whether or not they are considered 'sporty.' Every child leaves with a sense of achievement and with a big smile on their face. It is great seeing the next generation being inspired to be fit and active for their whole lives."

 

The Tata – Kids of Steel® events are part of Tata Steel’s overall Community Partnership Programme. The events are organised and delivered on behalf of the sport by the British Triathlon Trust in close collaboration with local schools and community sports clubs, giving children a unique, fun and positive experience of sport – regardless of ability or disability – and help to increase self-esteem and confidence.

 

The 2014 Tata – Kids of Steel® series will be visiting nine venues across Great Britain:

• Friday 9 May                           Corby, International Pool

• Thursday 22 May                    Scunthorpe, The Pods

• Tuesday 3 June                      Workington, Leisure Centre

• Thursday 5 June                     Teesside, Eston Leisure Centre

• Monday 9 June                       Wishaw (Scotland), Sports Centre

• Thursday 26 June                   Sheffield, Westfield College 

• Friday 27 June                        Mold (N Wales), Alun Leisure Centre

• Tuesday 8 July                        Swansea (S Wales), National Pool

• Thursday 10 July                     Newport (S Wales), International Sports Village

 

Since becoming British Triathlon’s Premier Sponsor in 2006, and Corporate Partner in 2009, Tata Steel has been instrumental in the growth and success of triathlon in Great Britain. Triathlon is now one of the fastest growing sports in Great Britain, with the elite side of the sport also showing huge success, currently boasting seven reigning world champions. Tata Steel has also helped Britain lobby for Paratriathlon to become a Paralympic sport, with Paratriathlon making its debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. The Tata – Kids of Steel® triathlon series has now also grown to become the largest children’s triathlon series in the world.

 

Tata Steel is Europe’s second largest steel company employing about 18,000 people at sites across the UK.

 

Since the series launched in 2007, Tata – Kids of Steel® has given nearly 60,000 children from more than 2,000 schools the opportunity to have a fun, positive experience of sport. To date, there have been 100 events, making it the largest and longest-running children’s triathlon series in the world.

 

Talking about the relationship, British Triathlon CEO Zara Hyde Peters OBE said: “British Triathlon is delighted to be able to announce the continuation of our longest running sponsorship. Tata Steel has been an integral part of the growth of the sport over the last eight years, with support that has flexed and adapted around the sport’s and Tata Steel’s objectives. This is a unique relationship and we look forward to continuing to work together in this extremely exciting period in the sport’s development.” 

 

Tata – Kids of Steel® is a national schools triathlon series for children aged 8 – 13 organised by British Triathlon, in partnership with Tata Steel.  All the equipment is provided including bikes and helmets, so children only need to bring their swimming and running kit. 

 

Every child that takes part receives a medal in recognition of their achievement in addition to a T-shirt, swim cap and gym sack.

 

The children take part in a mini-triathlon in a safe environment – swimming 40 to 60m, a traffic-free cycle of 800 to 1,200m, finished with a run of approximately 400m.  

 

By 2016, Tata Steel and the British Triathlon Federation aim to have given 100,000 children the chance to participate in a Tata – Kids of Steel® event.