We are looking back on a successful year full of clubs, coaches, events, officials, volunteers and success. This is triathlon in the Northeast!
The nights are drawing in, there is a chill on the breeze and Santa Claus is preparing for his peak delivery season. From the development of a new club to some fierce competitions, 2015 has been quite a year for triathlon in the Northeast. And the New Year is likely to bring even more excitement as we continue to find new and effective ways to grow and develop the sport so that we can help everyone discover, enjoy and achieve in triathlon.
What a fantastic 12 months it has been!
CLUBS
The region has 26 affiliated clubs and 6 race teams. This year we have seen the development of a new club based in Prudhoe, who go by the name of Castle Tri Club. With the support of the region, CSP and Active Northumberland the club are now flourishing and have been successful with a Sport England Small Grant application and have organised two GO TRI Events. WELCOME CASTLE TRI CLUB.
Yet again the winners of CLUB OF THE YEAR went to Sun City Tri Club. With 190 club members and 45 Triathlon England members, this club are chasing down the largest club in the region, One Life Racing.
ACCREDITATION
CLUB Mark Is a national accreditation from Sport England and sits across most sports. It has been very successful since its launch in 2002. CLUB Mark is for junior clubs and those that achieve it ensure members are attending quality sessions within a safe environment.
STAR Mark is a club development tool for Senior Triathlon clubs. It has been developed in consultation with clubs around the country and is based on the very successful Clubmark scheme.
Well done to all the clubs achieving accreditation or re-accreditation.
New
· Alnwick Tri Club – CLUB Mark
Re-accreditation
· Alnwick Tri Club – STAR Mark
· One Life Racing – STAR and CLUB Mark
· Darlington Tri Club – STAR Mark
· NE31 – STAR Mark
· Ryton Tri Club – STAR and CLUB Mark
EVENTS
As the sport continues to grow, then so does the number of events needed to take part in. There are now 29 registered events based in the Northeast which cover a wide variety of different “triathlon” sports. From off road duathlon to aquathlon, to triathlon, to aquacycle. You name it we have it on the doorstep.
Special mentions must go to the following:-
Event of the Year (Children’s Race) - Children’s Disability Triathlon
Event of the Year (Organised by a Club) - Alnwick Sprint Tri
Event of the Year (Commercially Organised)- Stockton Duathlon Festival
There have been 7 new event registrations this year:-
· Dale Care Duathlon
· Lambton Castle Duathlon
· Cobalt Duathlon
· Kielder Triathlon
· Boarders and Bridges Triathlon
· The Kielder Reiver Triathlon
· The Barrowburn Blast
After the successful launch of GO TRI back in 2013, the NE has really thrown themselves into organising these. We have seen a number of different types of GO TRI across the region, giving everyone the opportunity to take part in our great sport. Thank you to all of the organisers across the region for doing what you do!
GO TRI Ponteland, GO TRI Alnwick, GO TRI North Shields Polly, GO TRI Stockton, GO TRI Hartlepool and GO TRI Prudhoe.
COACHES
The region now has 16 new Level 1 Coaches and 16 Level 2 Coaches after the success of the courses in Sunderland and Hexham. Special mentions must go to:-
· Participation Coach of the Year - Wendy Bake of Aycliffe Tri Club.
· Children's Coach of the Year - Tracey Sample of Alnwick Tri Club.
OFFICIALS
The region now has 10 more active Local Technical Officials. 10 does not sound like a big number, but the region now has double the amount then the previous years. Thank you to Jacky Elliot who is the volunteer Regional Technical Co-ordinator for arranging officiating roles at the events across the region. If you need an official for you event, contact Jacky!
Special mention to Official of the Year - Andy Smith.
FIRST AID
Yet again the Triathlon Specific First Aid Course was a hit! The region and its clubs now have 16 more people trained in Triathlon Specific First Aid.
One of the candidates commented "That was the best first aid course I have ever done. I can't rate it enough. The practical side was superb. I had already done the St. Johns Ambulance course as I did not want to coach without some knowledge of first aid, but this course was far superior. Loved it. Great value too. Thanks for organising it."
SOCIAL MEDIA
Finally, our social media is growing. We have more LIKES and FOLLOWERS than ever before. Don’t forget to like us on facebook and follow us on twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/TriathlonEnglandNorthEast/
@NETriathlonEng
Bring on 2016!
