Category: Latest News

Triathlon WA are seeking applications from passionate and qualified individuals for the role of Coach Development Manager. This is a permanent part time position (0.2 FTE) based in Floreat.

The purpose of the Coach Development Manager is to:

• To provide the operational management of the Coaches within TWA programs.
• Ability to lead program evolution through excellent communication including the ability to lead through others.
• To provide direction and education to coaches with regards to development and best practice standards.
• Maintain working relationships and communication flow with Coaches, Triathlon Australia, other STTA representatives as required.
• Provide accreditation opportunities for aspiring Coaches through the National Coaching Pathway.
• Enhance the coach development pathway to deliver more coaches and build coach knowledge.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will need to be submitted to Executive Director, no later than 5:00pm Sunday 1st October 2023. Applications will only be accepted via email to: olivia.birkett@wa.triathlon.org.au   

All applications must include the following documents;

• Cover letter addressing current experience against outlined Candidate Profile (no longer than 2 pages)
• Resume

Enquiries relating to the role can be submitted to the Head of Coach Education at Triathlon Australia, Jesse Mortensen: jesse.mortensen@triathlon.org.au.

Triathlon WA selects a State Team to support WA athlete development and representation at national and international triathlon events. The team is selected for a period of the specified season, in accordance with the Triathlon WA Selection Policy.

The aim of the Pathway program is to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for the development of West Australian athletes aged between 14-23 years, allowing them to maximise their enjoyment and potential in the sport over time. This is achieved by engaging with the network of athletes, parents and home coaches to support each individual to achieve personal excellence and to prepare athletes for the demands of training, competition and travel during the performance pathway.

The TWA Pathway Program is focused on facilitating development opportunities for each athlete in the WA Team (Youth, Junior and U23) in line with the Triathlon Australia National Pathway Network Strategy and Hierarchy of Discriminators. The aim of the program is to help build the athlete’s knowledge and potential through education and skill sessions, and to  develop their racing tactics and technical skills through Draft Legal racing opportunities.

Learn more: https://www.triwa.com.au/junior-development/

Congratulations to all athletes selected:

Under 23 Squad

• Daniel Buis – North Coast
• Indie Arbuckle – Team XTR
• James Kjellgren-Lewis – Fremantle
• Madison Toovey – North Coast
• Rhianna Hepburn – UWA
• Rowan Kerr – Team XTR
• Tommaso Puccini – UWA

Junior Squad

• Alexander Gardner – Bunbury
• Amelie Erskine – North Coast
• Andrew Newton – North Coast
• Annabelle Behan – Bunbury
• Ava Henville – Exceed
• Beatrix Erskine – North Coast
• Ben Mostert – EFS
• Billie Mincham – Fremantle
• Bridie Crew – North Coast
• Brie MacDonald – EFS
• Caide Ellis – Mandurah
• Christophe Gardner – Bunbury
• Connor Fraser – Bunbury
• Connor Richards – North Coast
• Daniel Stewart – EFS
• Ella Friend – North Coast
• Eric Aspeling – Mandurah
• Erin Driscoll – North Coast
• Gemma Gorton – North Coast
• Ivan Nagel – EFS
• Jacob Palmer – Exceed
• Joshua Fletcher – Exceed
• Joshua Neervoort – Fremantle
• Joshua Pedlow – Exceed
• Kayla Bongers – Armadale
• Lachlan El-Ansary – Non Club
• Lewis Laden-Wearne – North Coast
• Lucas Landers – UWA
• Lucienne Brozicevich – Fremantle
• Megan MacPherson – North Coast
• Rebecca Puccini – UWA
• Remy Patterson – UWA
• Ryan Macpherson – North Coast
• Shayne Houghton – Non Club
• Thor Sultana – North Coast
• Will Cramsie – North Coast
• William Holden – North Coast

Youth Squad

• Zach Martinick – UWA
• Nathan Byrne – Non Club
• Harrison Weston – EFS
• Luke Williams – North Coast
• Brodie Wilkinson – EFS
• Isabella Neervoort – Fremantle
• Ella Rayner – North Coast
• Lily Suckling – Exceed
• Cooper Smeulders – Fremantle
• Nicholas Bell – Bunbury
• Olivia Smith – EFS
• Oliver Browne – Non Club
• Ava Rodgers – Fremantle
• Mia McPherson – Non Club
• Lucy Henville – Exceed
• Dempsey Patterson – UWA

Triathlon Western Australia will welcome a new Executive Director, Olivia Birkett, to lead the organisation as we head into the 2023/24 Season.

Birkett will officially commence the role on Monday 31 July 2023.

Triathlon WA President Brenden Koh says the Board are confident that Birkett’s passion, work ethic, and extensive experience will make her an outstanding addition to the organisation.

“Olivia brings with her over 20 years of experience in the sports industry, having held various leadership and board positions including Head of Operations at Tennis West,” he said.

“She is well-versed in managing large budgets, securing funding and grants, and establishing successful commercial partnerships.

“Her strong relationships with stakeholders at both the local and state government levels will be invaluable as we navigate the future of triathlon in Western Australia,” said Koh.

Olivia Birkett holds extensive qualifications including a degree in Human Movement, a Diploma in Venue Management, a Graduate Certificate in Athlete Career Education, and recently completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.

Birkett’s leadership skills have been evident in her role as Head of Operations at Tennis West, where she managed a dynamic and diverse team while supporting their personal and professional growth. Her excellent communication and relationship-building skills, combined with her strategic acumen, will be an asset to Triathlon Western Australia.

Triathlon WA sincerely thanks outgoing Executive Director Glenn Te Raki for his work and dedication over the past 10 months. Te Raki was on a fixed-term contract covering maternity leave for former TWA Executive Director Ashleigh Apps, who stepped down from the role earlier this year.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Glenn Te Raki, who has been instrumental in filling the Executive Director position this past season,” said Koh.

“In particular, he led the delivery of all of our events over another busy season, culminating in the successful Busselton Festival of Triathlon.

“His commitment to the organization has been greatly appreciated and we extend our sincere thanks.”

To support a smooth transition, Glenn will remain in his current capacity until Olivia begins 31 July. After which he will stay on for a period to onboard Oliva, and whilst recruitment takes place cover key event responsibilities related to the recently vacated Commercial Events Operations Manager role.

Western Australia’s Rhianna Hepburn has spent the past year with one goal in mind – the World Junior Triathlon Championships in Hamburg.

Last year, the teenager had fulfilled automatic qualification for the Australian Junior team for the World Championships in Montreal, only to be forced to withdraw from the team after a training accident – not even getting to the start line.

This week, she’ll don the cherished green and gold triathlon suit at the World Junior Triathlon Championships in Hamburg.

Hepburn has been on the Australian Junior Team’s 2023 European Tour this past fortnight in a pre-World Championships Staging Camp in Osnabruck in the Netherlands – nestled between Holten, where they raced last weekend, and Hamburg.

Holten proved to be more than just a successful lead up for the Aussies with Hepburn winning the 2023 Europe Triathlon Junior Cup and and Brisbane’s 19-year-old Jack Crome men’s Europe Triathlon Junior Cup race. While Brad Course (QLD) unleashing an impressive second-place place finish in the Elite race.

Australia will field a seven-strong Junior team in Hamburg – four men, Course, Crome, Tom Feldman (QLD) and Mitchell Blackbourn (NSW) and three women; Hepburn, Emma Olson-Keating (NSW) and Alex Field (NSW).

Triathlon Australia’s National Talent Development Coach, Brendan Sexton reflected on the incidents that dashed the hopes of Hepburn on the eve of this week’s Worlds and the lessons of a European tour. 

“Rhianna was again an automatic qualifier for the team this year in the Oceania Championship race in Taupo (NZ) and she was able to build her form through to Holten last week,” said Sexton.

 “It was her first international race, and she is trying to learn as much she can and to take as much from her teammates as she can, and she is ready to put her best foot forward in Hamburg.

“Rhianna was right up the front in Holten knowing her weapon is her run after being able to put herself in the race from the get-go.

“She was also able to hold her own in the Oceania Cup race in Busselton with the Elites earlier this year and that experience will put her in good stead in Hamburg.

“To have this group of girls who push each other in training, they’re only making each other stronger.

“It’s a real plus for us to have three girls in Rhianna, Alex and Emma who are that strong as a team and not only wanting to get the best out of themselves but to get the best out of each other as an Australian team.”

Hepburn said she had no expectations ahead of her international debut in Holten last weekend.

 “To be in the front pack on the bike and to be able to run down most of the girls was a bit of a confidence boost in my first international race as well,” she said.

“It was totally different to any races I had done before so that was fun; there was no expectation or goal in what place I wanted to cross the line so to win was nice.

“I’m looking forward to the experience in Hamburg. To contest my first Junior Worlds will be awesome. To go out there and enjoy it is my main goal.”

Along with their individual Junior Worlds Championships, the Australians will field a team of four from the Junior Team in Saturday’s World Under 23/Junior Mixed Relay World Championship.

You can catch the action from the Women’s Junior World Championship on Friday, July 14, from 12:50 AM AEST on TriathlonLive.

Triathlon Western Australia would like to advise all members and competitors that the date for 2024 Busselton 100 will now be Sunday 5 May 2024, with the Busselton Foreshore Triathlon and Kids Triathlon moving to Saturday 4 May 2024.

Participant safety is our main priority. The decision to change the date was not made lightly and was based on the safety concerns raised by the community, athletes, event staff, and the City of Busselton.
Confirming this new date will improve the participant experience, improve road safety, and help our event be more cohesive with the local Busselton community.

In our post-event participant survey, many athletes commented on the number of cars on the road during the bike leg. The City of Busselton has grown its population in recent years which means increased local traffic, and more residents and businesses impacted by our event road closures. Additionally, more families moving to Busselton means the winter sports season is busier than ever, with parents driving kids to and from their Saturday morning sports around the time most bikes would hit the course.

Having the Foreshore and Kids events on the Saturday instead of the Busselton 100 will allow us to better manage the increased traffic and improve safety, as these events are much shorter (distance and timewise) and contained to the main event area. This is as opposed to the Busselton 100 bike leg, which is 80km, heads out into the Ludlow Tuart Forest, and has hundreds of athletes on course for several hours.
Families competing in the Kids Triathlon and Foreshore Triathlon may be more likely to stay on for Sunday and spectate during the Busselton 100, which in turn will improve the event atmosphere and make for a better finish line experience for our long course athletes.

Additionally, the Busselton 100 being on Sunday means that athletes will now check their bikes in on Saturday afternoon after the Foreshore and Kids events have ended. Busselton 100 and AquaBike athletes will no longer have to come straight from work on Friday afternoon or take unnecessary time off from work before the event. We hope this will make for a more relaxed and enjoyable race.

With more than 9 months to go until event weekend, any athletes who have already made accommodation arrangements based on the previously announced date should be able to alter them now with no penalty.

Thank you for your support of the event, and we hope to see you down in beautiful South-West WA for another amazing Busselton Festival of Triathlon. Event registrations are set to open September 2023.

Triathlon WA Annual Awards acknowledges the success and commitment to the sport of triathlon over the last season. Please join us as we celebrate the many successes across our sport over the last twelve months.

The Awards this season will be a cocktail style evening with presentations followed by a DJ and dancefloor.

Event Date: Saturday 27 May 2023

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront, 1 Barrack Square, Perth WA 6000

Time: 6pm arrival, drink on entry. Award presentations will run approximately 7.00pm – 8:00pm. The DJ and dancefloor will begin after award presentations. The event will end at 11pm.

Dress Code: Cocktail style, or dress to impress! Suits, sequins and dresses encouraged. There will be a DJ after the presentations so wear something you can dance in! The event theme is black and gold

Included in your ticket: One drink per person on arrival (tokens will be given at the door). After which, a cash bar will be available. There will be canapes and substantials served with vegan options. There will be grazing tables throughout the evening with additional food offered before and after the presentations.

Tickets: Book your ticket here: www.trybooking.com/CIEQK

• Adult Ticket (18+): $75
• Junior Ticket (7-17 years): $45
• Adult Award Winner: $60 – discount code will be emailed to winners
• Junior Award Winner: $35 – discount code will be emailed to winners
• Infant/Child (under 7): $10

Price above does not include TryBooking booking fees.

Members and non-members welcome. We look forward to celebrating the season with you on Saturday 27 May 2023.

The 22nd SunSmart Busselton Festival of Triathlon took place at Barnard Park, Busselton between Friday 28 – Sunday 30 April 2023. Nestled between the beautiful Busselton Foreshore, majestic Ludlow Tuart Forest and bustling town, the event site hosted more than 2000 athletes and hundreds of spectators in the three day celebration of sport.

There were eight events on offer including the SunSmart Busselton 100, Busselton AquaBike, Busselton Foreshore Triathlon Sprint or Enticer, the Busselton Fun Run (500m, 1.6km or 5km) and the SunSmart Kids Triathlon. For the first time in Festival History we hosted the 2023 Oceania Cup Busselton, an elite World Triathlon race in the exciting super sprint eliminator format, and the 2023 Oceania Para Cup which featured some of the Oceania region’s best para triathletes.

OCEANIA CUP BUSSELTON

The Festival kicked off on Friday 28 April with the 2023 Oceania Para Cup Busselton. 24 Elite men and 17 Elite women competed, including athletes from Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore. The super sprint format resulted in a phenomenal show, with athletes racing up to 3 rounds of a 250m swim, 6km bike, 1.6km run, with the highest placing athletes going through to the next round.  

The top three males ran off the bike in a tight group, each pushing one another to new heights. Luke Willian (AUS) took gold for the men after a huge push on the last corner, with Lachlan Jones (AUS) and local athlete Kurt Wesley rounding out the podium just seconds apart. The female final saw an exciting last lap of the run. The top three women were three neck-and-neck the whole course until Charlotte McShane sprinted across the line in first place, just seconds in front of Jessica Ewart-Mctigue, with Ellie Hoitink crossing the line third to claim bronze.

As the sun set on the first day of the festival, the action continued with the Busselton Fun Run! More than 100 athletes competed in the twilight run, with distances on offer including the 500m Dash, 1.6km Magic Mile or the 5km Fun Run. There was significant prize money up for grabs in the 5km Open wave, so we saw a very competitive field with some Australian athletes from the Oceania Cup even returning to the foreshore to try their hand! 22-year-old WA runner Luke Burrows crossed the line in a blistering time of 14:57.90, followed by the east coast Schofield brothers in second and third place. Charlotte McShane backed up her Oceania win with first place in the 5km, her second win for the day in a time of 17:03.58. Runners Amy Buckingham and Lauren French rounded out the top 3.

SUNSMART BUSSELTON 100

Day two of the SunSmart Busselton Festival of Triathlon delivered the final event in the Triathlon WA State Series; the State Long Course Championships. More than 1100 athletes took on the iconic SunSmart Busselton 100 event consisting of a 2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run. Racing conditions were close to perfect, with low winds, flat water and the sunshine warming up the course as the day went on. The atmosphere around the course was incredible. Spectators lined the barriers, cheering friends and family on as they progressed through the course. Club Alley was abuzz with energy, providing that much needed boost of dopamine for our athletes on the run leg. The beautiful blue carpet was waiting, with athletes running down through a chute lined by excited spectators, high fiving and hugging friends before crossing the finish line and receiving that coveted finisher medal.

The Men’s open category saw an incredibly competitive field with Kurt Wesley (North Coast), Guy Crawford (Fremantle) and QLD athlete Kye Wylde leading the swim and heading into T1 first. Nick Thompson (UWA), Reece Harris (Mandurah), James Lewin (Stadium) and Ryan Bailie (Bunbury) worked together in a tight pack in the swim coming into T1, boosting each others performances for a quick first leg.

Wesley won the swim prime, Matt Burton (Oceanic) won the bike prime, and Wylde won the run prime.

Whilst Wylde took the overall win for the SunSmart Busselton 100, Burton was crowned State Long Course Champion in the Open Male field with a time of just 3:20:18.57. Thompson was hot on his heels (3:21:15.85) to claim second in the State Championship rankings, and Mark Radziejewski just 59 seconds behind Thompson taking home fourth overall and a third place State Champs win.

The Women’s Open field consisted of a fast swim by Eastern States athlete Angharad Llewellyn, with endurance triathlon veteran Kate Bevilaqua (Fremantle) second out of the water. Rachael Smyth (Fremantle) had a blistering cycle leg and won the prime which put her into first place, followed closely by Khloe Healy on the bike.

Smyth held her lead into the run to take out the overall win, crossing the line under the 4 hour mark with a time of 3:59:59. Cassandra Heaslip outdid Healy in the run securing her second place across the line. Healy followed in third place with a time of 4:05:05. We crowned Rachael Smyth State Long Course Champion with Kate Bevilaqua as runner up for the State Series event.

Brett Johnson (non-club) maintained his title of first Male Age Group athlete across the line with an impressive time of 3:35:10.20. Returning to defend the crown after a win in 2022, Fiona Whelan kept her title as fastest female Age Group Athlete, crossing the line with a time of 4:03:29.71.

We congratulate Nathalie Laurendeau (Stadium) on her swansong race, retiring as a Long Course Legend after completing her 20th Busselton Festival of Triathlon event with a time of 4:38:45! What an amazing achievement. A huge congratulations to Nicola Lenane (Oceanic) for completing her 20th Festival of Triathlon race.

We also saw some healthy sibling rivalry with Darren Pesich (Fremantle) who completed his first race as a Long Course Legend and raced alongside brother Glenn Pesich (Rockingham) out on the B100 course. Sarah Nisbet and Barry Williamson are both having an amazing season with a second place in their respective age group to add to the collection.

Our oldest athlete on course, 75-year-old Brian Bennett, completed the course in a very impressive time of just 06:05:01. Did you know, Brian completed his first ever triathlon at 62 years of age – and his first ever triathlon was IM Taupo! What a legend.

We congratulate all Elite and Age Group athletes who participated in the race. Thank you so much for being a part of our event.

OCEANIA PARA CUP BUSSELTON

Day 3, Sunday 30 April 2023, began with an impressive sunrise over the iconic Busselton Jetty, and water conditions were pristine and glassy. The Southwest region certainly treated us to perfect weather with low winds, barely any waves, and lots of sunshine. The 2023 Oceania Para Cup kicked off our morning with a mix of veterans and debutants out on the Barnard Park course, as we crowned nine new Australian Oceania Champions. WA Locals David Bryant (PTS5) and Sally Pilbeam (PTS4) both took home gold on home turf whilst we saw the return of Brant Garvey (PTS2) who crossed the line with silver for his class. Nige Young (PTWC), Thomas Goodman (PTS2), Liam Twomey (PTS4), Sam Harding (PTVI), Sara Tait (PTWC), Grace Brimelow (PTS2), Maggie Sandles (PTVI) who all took home gold in their respective categories.

SUNSMART KIDS TRIATHLON BUSSELTON

Shortly after the completion of the Oceania Para Cup and a cheeky visit from two pods of dolphins, 250 enthusiastic little athletes aged between 7-15 years set off to take part in the SunSmart Kids Triathlon. The young athletes completed shortened versions of the adult triathlon (Short course: 100m swim, 2km cycle, 500m run & long course: 200m swim, 4km cycle, 1km run), with all athletes showing tenacity, bravery and sportsmanship as they made their way through the course.  The finish chute filled with cheers and energy as they all crossed the line, with many young athletes waiting for friends or siblings on the finish line to congratulate each other and share their experiences of the race.

BUSSELTON FORESHORE TRIATHLON

The weather remained absolutely perfect into the late morning and afternoon for our Foreshore athletes, with aquamarine flat water and blue skies. Enticer athletes were first off the beach with more than 120 athletes tackling a 200m Swim, 8km Bike, and 2km Run. Jude Brimelow (brother of Oceania Para athlete Grace Brimelow) and Isabella Neervort (Fremantle) were the first male and female across the line, both from the 12-13 age group. We saw some inspiring performances across the field with our oldest athlete in the distance, 72-year-old Keith Purse, completing the course in just 00:42:01.65.

Sprint athletes were next, with more than 350 athletes taking on the 750m Swim, 16km Bike, and 4km Run course. Ivan Nagel (EFS, 00:51:33.04) and Will Cramsie (North Coast, 00:52:49.77) battled it out on course to cross the finish line within a minute of one another and be the first two males across the finish line. Junior athlete Ava Henville (Exceed, 00:55:57.16) was the first female across the line, followed by Erin Driscoll (North Coast, 01:00:19.84). There were plenty of incredible sprint finishes as the crowd charged athletes up down the final 500m and toward the finish line. We also saw some heart-warming moments from our 12 sprint teams with hi-fives and hugs abundant in recovery.

We look forward next years event scheduled for 3 – 5^th May 2024!

THANK YOU

Triathlon WA would like to thank the City of Busselton, SunSmart, Healthway, Tourism Western Australia, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Scody, Koda Nutrition, Keep on Running, KC Australia Uniform and Branding Solutions, KDK Family Law, Hit FM, Outside the Locker Room, the Margaret River Region, Clip Media, Finisher Pix, MiTime, the Ludlow Tuart Forest Restoration Group, Cancer Council, spectators and supporters, Event Matrix, the medical team, road closure team, staff and of course the incredible volunteers for their contribution to such a successful event.

A special thank you to the athletes, event medical team and emergency services who provided immediate medical support during the medical emergency on the bike leg of the course. The safety and well-being of our Triathlon community is of the utmost importance to us, and we are grateful for the swift and effective response of nearby athletes, safety and medical personnel, and emergency services.

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