It has been a challenging year for triathlon as a whole but our fantastic, amazing and talent volunteers have come up with new innovative ways to enable swim, bike, run to happen throughout 2020.
The annual awards recognise and celebrate the work of volunteers who help make the sport what it is. This year the seven award categories reflect the different ways in which triathlon has continued throughout the pandemic.
New categories celebrate the virtual nature of swim, bike, run during 2020, as well as recognising key workers from across the sport and have been included alongside traditional categories such as Club, Coach and Volunteer of the Year.
We had some excellent nominations, and it was very difficult to decide as everyone was a worthy winner but the winners have now been confirmed.
Club of the Year - Craven Energy Triathlon Club
"Superb coaching for both juniors and adults. The club encourages all abilities. The standout aspect for 2020 has been the way the coaching team have supported all through the lockdown, concentrating on both physical and importantly mental well-being."
"The committee are first class and their energy and enthusiasm certainly encourage more to volunteer. No stone is left unturned with the organisation to the point that volunteering is a pleasure and most enjoyable."
Club Secretary Peter commented, "That is awesome news, we're truly humbled by this ... The last few months have been challenging for all sports clubs, it's great to be appreciated for the hard yards many from our team have put in to ensure our members have had something to keep spirits up and focussed through this period. Thank you again, this makes it all worthwhile. Yours. Peter."
Coach of the Year - Michael Barnett from Doncaster Triathlon Club
"Michael is always there for his athletes both during and outside of coaching. He always encourages them to push themselves and to achieve their potential very often when the athlete does not believe in themselves. He always tailors the sessions to the group he is coaching and will make last minute alterations when required to suit the athletes without hesitation. He is there as a listening ear and offers advice and encouragement when needed. Michael is especially able to respond well to the juniors of the club and keep them motivated and interested during these sessions and encouraging them when they need it and to offer praise regularly. During the ease of lockdown Michael has altered the sessions on offer and adapted these to ensure it is covid secure. He has found alternative venues to ensure his athletes are able to continue to enjoy the support and encouragement of the club. Without Michael we wouldn't have such a fantastic club and coach."
Michael said; "As a kid I was an average 50m sprint swimmer from a small town in Lancashire and that was the limit of my sporting endeavours.
Back in 2012 I took a decision which has fundamentally changed my life. I decided to give up smoking and challenged myself to complete the London Triathlon Olympic distance for charity. Some nearly four hours later I crossed the finish line a different person than the one who jumped into the dock in London.
A fire had been lit inside me. The goal now was to be the best version of me I could be. In 2013 I decided to become a coach to give something back to triathlon. I had no club and no athletes, but I really wanted to give something back as triathlon had changed my life for the better.
I am passionate about coaching because of the profound positive effect exercise can have on people’s mental health (I’ve been there and worn that t-shirt from 2016-2018, details here if you want to quote any part http://smoker2triathlete.blogspot.com/2018/02/its-been-while.html).
As an athlete I find it amazing how many hurdles we can put in front of ourselves which hamper our possible individual athletic achievement. I’ll freely admit to not being a natural runner and I have had to break down my own mental barriers relating to running and I now pride myself on my ability to help my athletes overcome similar barriers.
I believe that as a coach the most empowering thing you can give to the people you coach is your belief. If you believe in the ability of your athletes, it strips away their own fears and concerns. It greatly reduces self-doubt. I’ve seen people go from doubting whether they can run 400m in 2:00 (25 min 5k pace) to being able to run 400m in 1:33 in the same session simply by removing that doubt from their control. It is really rewarding seeing people make those positive changes and seeing them leave sessions smiling and overawed from their own achievements."
Key Worker of the Year - Susie Foster from Swans Triathlon Club
"Susie is a GP in her day job but holds the title of Coach and Founder of the Swans Tri Club. Through the Pandemic she has contributed regularly to the club social media pages, she has been at the end of the telephone and she’s been available for a socially distanced chat. Although working tirelessly and supporting her own family at this time, she has made the time to support club members also who struggled at this time. The club has a social ride on Wednesday mornings, obviously during lock down these stopped, but as soon as we were able, we met up for a socially distanced ride which helped massively with my own mental wellbeing. She’s worked hard behind the scenes during lockdown keeping the club updated and organising kit orders etc... she's just an amazing person."
Susie was delighted with the news and said, "I’m a GP in a rural practice in East Yorkshire and I’m the Chair and assistant coach of Swan Tri Club.
This year saw the strangest of times. After an intense week at a triathlon training camp in Mallorca with nine of my favourite Triathletes where we were preparing for what was to be the Swans second race season and my first middle distance race, I came back to work in the middle of a huge flood which caused many of our patients to have to flee their homes. Immediately after the waters receded Covid arrived and lockdown was announced. For months I had no contact with anyone but family and work colleagues. As I normally see my fellow Swans at training at least four days a week this was incredibly lonely and strange. Our club pulled together quickly with a weekly online quiz and a strength and conditioning session. Lots of us took part in virtual events and encouraged one another. I found running around a nearby nature reserve played a huge part in keeping me going through this time. As soon as we were able to start training again in July our coaching team got together a Covid safe outdoor session and although my working life is still far from ‘normal’ we are able to have something like our normal Club training schedule again.
General practice had to change overnight. My team adapted well. Working together, supporting shielding patients and staff, sourcing PPE so we could safely assess ill patients. Suddenly having to learn new skills for remote consultations, to manage conditions we would normally refer to hospital, and to help the enormous numbers of people who have found Covid era life so frightening and depressing without mental health services available. It has been tough and continues to be so. But triathletes are adaptable and resilient, and so is the NHS. Long may it continue."
Multisport Event of the Year - GO TRI Hull organised by Humber Triathletes
"This event has been delivered professionally with the safety and enjoyment of its competitors at the forefront of the organisers priorities. This has been even more evident now the event can take place under strict guidelines in a challenging environment. The event continues to grow and has lots of positive comments from its participants."
"This event in Hull has seen so many new people get into triathlon. The volunteer’s month by month are there. As covid happened the amount from Humber club volunteers that went into getting the new permits in place was incredible. The first post covid GO TRI Hull went ahead last week. The feedback from competitors was brilliant."
Volunteer of the Year - Vivian Whitelaw from Harrogate Triathlon Club
"Viv has completely transformed Harrogate Tri Club by her great leadership. She has organised multiple accessible training sessions in all 3 disciplines plus strength and conditioning at times to suit those who work and those who do not. She has secured outstanding coaches in their fields of expertise. "
"Viv has worked tirelessly to organise online activities during lockdown then setting up a great program of swimming open water, pool swimming and running, all running successfully with social distancing measures in place."
"Viv has worked tirelessly to support Harrogate Tri Club and has been instrumental in getting the club back on the road post COVID with all the correct measures in place for swimming and running in several sessions a week."
Virtual Activity of the Year - Tom Kaye from Wakefield Triathlon Club with the Lockdown 5k
"It galvanised all athletes associated with TriPT into a virtual competitive and enjoyable exercise. It allowed us all to feel like we 'belong' and fall in love with the sport again. It encapsulated a will to succeed for ourselves, for the team and for our coach. Personally, being isolated, a recent post-op athlete, low on self-esteem and self-confidence; the togetherness, personal face time 'booster' meetings and regular contact for each activity participated in, was a welcome boost to my well-being."
"As a Triathlon coach he's attracted not just triathletes but runners across the spectrum by building in a handicap system which he adapts each week to ensure that no matter how fast or slow you are, you stand a chance of winning. Meanwhile encouraging people to compete, but to avoid doing multiple 5km attempts each week, he is demonstrating the professional side of a BTF coach, concerned about welfare of competitors/participants."
