Made up of nine volunteers from across England, the Youth Forum will represent the views of all young triathletes in future triathlon programmes and help Triathlon England engage younger audiences.

At their first meeting in June, the forum got to know one another and elected a chair and diversity and inclusion rep to sit on the Triathlon England Council. They also set about their first task as a team, to deliver a sustainable event for children and young people. Planning to run a GO TRI next year, their aim is to enable children and young people to have a go at a shorter distance race in a safe setting.

Triathlon England have children and young people as a major strategic objective, and this forum has come out of a commitment to make triathlon a more inclusive sport by engaging with 100,000 young people by 2024. The members of the forum will act as ambassadors in their local triathlon community as part of a programme to develop and inspire future leaders in the sport.

Ranging from regular participants to individuals who have no previous experience in the sport, the Youth Forum consists of Hamish Reilly, Tom Dickinson, Zac Christie, Charlotte Gowers (Chair), Helen Taylor (Diversity & Inclusion Rep), Phoebe Greensit, Olivia Utting, Alexandra Pitts and Megan Higgins.

Charlotte Gowers, Chair of the Youth Forum said, “As a forum we aim to develop youth participation by getting young people to just have a go, by removing barriers to involvement. We hope as a group to make a huge difference to the sport and look forward to supporting the future developments in triathlon.”

Oli Heald, Children and Young Person Lead at Triathlon England, said, “The Youth Forum having its first meeting is a huge milestone in the life of Triathlon England and shows the commitment we have towards all age inclusivity in the sport. They’re an enthusiastic group and their input will prove valuable to us as the governing body in developing the sport.”