This week is National Volunteers week so we are recognising volunteering in Triathlon.
Name: Gareth Allen
Volunteer Role: Head of Coaching, Wakefield Triathlon Club; GO TRI Coach
Favourite Discipline of Triathlon? Swim, Bike or Run? Nothing beats outdoor swimming on a beautiful day.
Favourite Food? It used to be pizza, but now it is grilled fish and salad. (That is a straight up lie, it is still pizza.)
Favourite Holiday Destination? So many beautiful places to explore in the UK and easier to take your bike.
How long have you been volunteering in Triathlon? Five years
What does your volunteering role entail?
I coach athletes of all abilities at our club, and I also help the other coaches so that we are providing a great experience for all our members.
I also work as part of the GO TRI project helping complete newcomers to our sport to gain confidence and fitness, and to fall in love with triathlon.
What is most rewarding from your volunteer role?
Seeing people improve their confidence. Exercise is so beneficial to people’s physical and emotional wellbeing, and it’s a real pleasure to see people develop and grow.
What is your motivation to volunteer in Triathlon?
Ultimately, I do it because I enjoy it. Triathlon is a great sport that welcomes participants of all abilities and backgrounds. I am proud to be part of it.
As a volunteer in triathlon, what have you been most pleased with/greatest success?
I have seen athletes qualify for world championships and win races, but the best moment that springs to mind was seeing a very nervous new swimmer punching the air after swimming her first length of front crawl. She’s now a veteran triathlete, but we all started somewhere.
How could a volunteer make a difference to the sport of Triathlon?
On a large scale, the entire sport relies on volunteers. Whether it’s coaches, event organisers, marshals, the unsung committee members who do the less visible jobs behind the scenes … all these people keep the sport moving. But it’s on that individual level that we really feel the impact of volunteers. A helping hand, a well-timed word of encouragement. Volunteers can have a huge impact on an athlete’s love and enthusiasm for the sport.
