We are almost halfway through our legacy project for 2023!
Ahead of the World Triathlon Para Series (WTPS) coming to Swansea again in three weeks’ time, Welsh Triathlon have been engaging with pupils in primary and secondary schools across the city of Swansea. The aim of the legacy project is to use GO TRI as a vehicle to raise awareness for the WTPS event as well as engage children and young people in triathlon and multi-sport activity.
So far, we have delivered events to 4 schools: Ysgol Login Fach, Ysgol Dylan Thomas, Ysgol Gellionnen and Clwyd Community with 495 participants taking part in total. The sessions have been completely inclusive, encouraging all to take part, no matter what ability or previous experience in triathlon.
“All pupils really enjoyed and I had some Year 7s asking if they were doing it again today” - Amy Howarth, Ysgol Dylan Thomas.
“Pupils had a great experience and can't wait for you to come in again” - Kevin Davies, Ysgol Gymraeg Gellionnen.
All of the sessions so far have been duathlons with participants taking part in a short run-bike-run circuit on school grounds. However, we will be delivering some triathlon sessions with the remaining 7 schools in the legacy project.
“This GO TRI event is the start of our triathlon season and over the summer we’ll be organising more of these events and inviting a lot of schools to come along and taste triathlon for the first time. It’s very inclusive and everyone can get involved” - Mark Evans, Sport and Health Swansea.
“It was an incredible experience to see these young athletes try out triathlon for the first time and show their enthusiasm and determination throughout the sessions” – Gwyndaf Lewis, Welsh Triathlon’s Participation Officer.
For the next session in Gowerton, we will be working with BikeAbility Wales to provide an adapted bike for a student in a wheelchair and to help make the session as inclusive as possible.
As well as delivering events as part of the legacy project, Welsh Triathlon also made their first ever appearance at the Eisteddfod yr Urdd in Llandovery this year! We attended the Sports Village alongside other National Governing Bodies to provide Triathlon sessions to event-goers. Running an hour session, a day from Monday to Thursday, over 120 participants got hands-on experience learning about triathlons, with some being experienced in the sport and others never hearing of it before.
We have also delivered two more GO TRI events in Swansea over the last couple of months in partnership with Swansea Active Young People. One of which took place during half term in Penlan which hosted 48 participants. And the other celebrated ‘50 days to go’ until the World Triathlon Para Series Swansea as we delivered a triathlon session to 148 children in Penlan Leisure Centre.
We have 7 schools left to participate in our legacy project. And we are looking forward to continuing to develop and promote para-triathlon in the city as we look ahead to the World Triathlon Para Series taking place in Swansea in July!
“Let's keep pushing the boundaries and making a difference in our communities through sports” – Gwyndaf Lewis, Welsh Triathlon’s Participation Officer.
