Celtic Tri, have played host to a series of 3 GO TRI events which have taken place at various leisure centres across Swansea. Find out how the club used GO TRI as a way to advertise their club as well as give young people in Swansea the opportunity to take part in triathlon and its multisport related activities.
Since taking on the role of Chairman with Celtic Tri Club in February 2018, Mark Evans with the help of the club committee looked at where the club was going and how they saw the sport of triathlon in Swansea developing. From several committee meetings they came up with the club's vision and mission statement to guide them through the next 2 – 4 years.
Their Mission Statement is a simple one:
To promote the development and participation in the sport of triathlon through a fully inclusive and supportive club structure focusing on coached sessions for juniors and seniors of all abilities by Qualified British Triathlon coaches within Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and the wider community. This is underpinned by their values and vision.
From this one of the goals for the 2018 season was to host a series of GO TRI events in the Swansea Area to increase junior participation in triathlon and its multisport related activities. Linked to this would be club development with an investment in coach education and additional training sessions for junior participants in the Swansea Area. GO TRI is something the club hasn't done in the past, so the process was very new to them. They contacted Welsh Triathlon’s Participation Officer, Steph Makuvise who provided the club with support in organising their GO TRI activity as well as answered any questions and queries which the club had. The club contacted their local sport development officer at Swansea Council who assisted them with a Community Chest Grant application to fund their GO TRI activity. The club then went on to organise 3 GO TRI events:
Penlan Leisure Centre - 10th June
Morriston Leisure Centre - 1st July
Penyrheol Leisure Centre - 8th July
The events were promoted via social media and Welsh Triathlon listed the events on their website as well as on the GO TRI website. Another opportunity to promote the event was the mass participation GO TRI event organised by Swansea Sport Development for schools in Swansea. The event attracts over 300 participants and provided an opportunity for the club to not only promote their upcoming activity but support the growth of triathlon in their local area. While GO TRI events are open to all ages, Celtic Tri’s events were aimed at participants of all abilities, aged 8-14. The event was aimed at being fun, non- competitive and provide a chance for all to get involved in the sport of triathlon.
Celtic Tri had several aims and objectives for the events which included:
- To increase participation of young people aged 8-14 in triathlon and multisport activities
- To provide an opportunity for more kids to participate in sport and physical activity
- To raise awareness of triathlon and other multisport event in schools across Swansea
The GO TRI events would also provide participants with a springboard to enter the Swansea Junior Triathlon which the club were hosting at Penlan Leisure Centre on August 5th. The club had 163 participants take part across the three GO TRI events, with 57% female participation. Feedback from participants and parents was extremely positive, here is what they had to say about the events:
“It was a good experience and lots of fun. I’ve got some of my friends to try the next one with me. I’m looking forward to competing again’” - Participant aged 11
"It was a great no-pressure environment for (my daughter) to have her first go (at triathlon). She’s signed up for the second event already! My thanks to you and your team of marshals." Parent
“It was a very well organised event, I really enjoyed. The Marshall’s were lovely, and I think for children doing their first triathlon it was a great experience.” - Participant aged 10
“The aquathon made me feel good because I actually achieving something, and it keeps me “fit and i am learning from it” - Participant aged 10
Mark Evans, club chairman had his to say about the club’s experience of organising their GO TRI events:
“As a club we have really enjoyed running these events and great to see so many kids taking part and enjoying the sport. The leisure centres and staff involved have been amazing and very welcoming to us and were very keen to help us and the kids. It’s been a learning experience for us all, but we feel we delivered three fun events, increased awareness of triathlon in the area within primary schools and the local sports development department and look forward to 2019 where we hope to put on some more events”
About the club:
Celtic Tri welcome athletes of all abilities and pride themselves on their family friendly approach. Their Junior Triathlon Section is growing and this year (2018), they are hoping to grow it even more with their juniors racing all over Wales in the Tri Stars series. Celtic Tri hold their own events with popular Neath Valley Triathlon (Sprint) and the award-winning Steven Lewis Jnr Aquathlon now in its 3rd year and a new Junior Triathlon in Swansea.
Training is held on most nights for both Juniors and Seniors and coached sessions cover all three disciplines of triathlon. If you are aged 8 – 80 and looking for a triathlon club to join, no matter what ability, within the Swansea, Llanelli, Neath and Port Talbot areas contact the club. Visit https://www.britishtriathlon.org/clubs/celtic-tri_1105 to get in contact the club.
