Starting out as GO TRI intern in February 2017 I would have never imagined that I would end up being Participation Officer at Welsh Triathlon. It has been an absolute pleasure to support members, community leads, clubs, event organisers, schools, NGB’s, leisure providers and partners, in bringing triathlon to more people across Wales.
My experience as Participation Officer has been nothing short of amazing and has allowed me to explore and engage with people across the length and breadth of Wales. It was not easy, especially in the early days not being able to drive but having to get to places and meet with people. Waiting at a train station in Carmarthenshire for 2hrs until the next train to Cardiff really evaluated my resilience and my ambition to get the job done. For me, the reward was ensuring that people, no matter where they are in Wales had the chance to experience triathlon and if we were able to make that happen then we would have done our job.
It is true what they say about working in sport, no two days are ever the same. This certainly kept me on my toes but made the job enjoyable as I always had to deal with something different. The opportunity to network across other NGB’s and across the team at Sport Wales, sharing best practice, supported my learning and the way in which I went about my role.
Challenging but also an opportunity to gain experience and share different views, has been working alongside the home nations. While the landscape differs in each home nation, the connectivity provided a great learning experience and the opportunity to share best practice in different areas of the role.
I think one of the best things about working at Welsh Triathlon has been seeing how triathlon can change lives through various programmes such as GO TRI and Tri Active Cymru. In my role, one of the most rewarding things has been seeing people, children, and adults alike experience triathlon for the first time and enjoy the benefits, I do not think anything can top that feeling.
The team, how can I forget the team at Welsh Triathlon. It has been an honour to work alongside such a supportive team, a team of equally ambitious individuals who always strive to get the job done and in a positive way. Being a small team also had its advantages as I had the opportunity to lead on various projects, giving me the experience that I needed to progress my career. The support I had throughout this has been second to none and I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone at Welsh Triathlon for making the role that much more enjoyable. An extended thank you to the Welsh Triathlon board and its members who have been incredibly supportive in my journey. It has been great to have support from various board members and the chance to use them as sounding boards during my role.
It has been a pleasure to meet and work with each one of you and support the growth of triathlon in Wales. Although not an easy task, the numbers do not lie and being able to say that I contributed to the growth of triathlon in Wales is an absolute honour.
In my new role at the Black Swimming Association, I am sure our paths will cross again, but until then it is goodbye from me and wishing the Welsh Triathlon family all the best!
