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International Womens Day 2022 is all about celebrating the achievements of women, raising awareness against bias and taking action for equality. It aims to help create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. To celebrate, we asked some inspiring women in our Triathlon WA community to share why they love the sport, some of their greatest achievements and advice for women who are new to our sport.

Our next profile is Morgan Marsh; TWA Board member and athlete.

How did you get involved in Triathlon?
I have always been sporty and did swim squad as a kid but hadn’t done it in years before getting into triathlons in October 2007. I was a national level fencer in high school and University (I know, odd sport to choose but I got to stab people which was fun) and had been doing mainly gym classes for a few years when a friend convinced me to do an 8 week intro course with her. I started with literally a $99 K-mart mountain bike and couldn’t run 2km without walk breaks! After my first enticer event in December 2007, I was absolutely hooked and went on to do my first Sprint distance, Olympic distance and half ironman in 2009 where I qualified for the World Championships being held in Perth. I then did Olympic distance World Champs in Budapest in 2010 and Sprint distance World Champs in Auckland in 2012 before tackling my first Ironman in 2013. I have now done every distance from Super Sprint (so much fun!) to Ironman and everything in between including adventure racing, SwimRun, Rotto solo, ultramarathons and many Half Ironmans. Currently, thanks to the evil genius that is my husband, I am tackling 40 events during my 40th year and am at event #24 after completing the Rottnest Channel Swim as a duo. My next event will be Karri Valley triathlon.

What do you enjoy most about Triathlon?
Triathlon has saved my sanity. Training provides a stress relief, a break from work and a tangible goal to focus on and work towards. Sometimes it’s also a really good excuse to leave work on time to get to training! I like to challenge myself and push my limits and triathlon gives me that avenue. I also love the friendships I have made along the way. Friends have come in and out of the sport over time (damn these people all having babies) but going to events is almost like a reunion where you can catch up and cheer each other on. I also love that my husband comes to all my events and takes the most amazing photos… I do love seeing him scrambling to get into position when I am coming in or out of transition and popping up all over the course!

What is your greatest achievement in Triathlon, what are you most proud of?
I think that has changed over time. It used to be about results and times, Triathlete of the Year, racing at World Championships etc. In February 2016 I suffered a stroke and that changed my perspectives on a lot of things. I am incredibly lucky that I have no long-term physical or mental impacts from the stroke but now I am most proud of the opportunities triathlon has provided to me and what it has taught me about the things you can achieve if you are willing to put the work in and have sufficient courage and determination to risk it. It is amazing what your body can achieve when your mind is willing! Sometimes it isn’t about the results, podiums, times or personal bests – its about getting to the finish line, or hell, getting to the start line in one piece fit and able to start the race!

What is your advice for any women who are wanting to start participating in Triathlon?
Regardless of whether you think you are too slow, not fit enough, scared of one or more of the legs, think you will look horrendous in skin tight lycra – give it a go! Triathlon is a sport that is open to anyone and is an incredible, supportive and inclusive community. I heard someone say recently that if they could bottle the feeling of happiness and accomplishment when you cross a finishing line – there would be no need for drugs! You cannot beat the feeling!

What are some of the benefits you have seen for females in our sport?
I have seen triathlons change people’s lives. Friends who started out like me, uncertain what they had signed up for, going on to be professional triathletes with successful careers and coaching businesses. Not to mention the simple things like fitness, health, confidence, friends, experiences – races are a fantastic excuse for a holiday! With three sports, it opens the doors to so many opportunities that you might not otherwise be exposed to.

Anything else you’d like to talk about or share for International Womens Day?
I have been thinking about this a lot lately. Like a lot of people, I have struggled with body image, perception of weight, self-consciousness, self-doubt. I am not the traditional ‘triathlete’ figure and no matter what I do – I am never going to be. But that’s ok. I have recently started to acknowledge and appreciate just how amazing my body is and what it can achieve. Be kind to yourself. Have confidence in yourself. And take the risks when they are presented – they may scare you but they could lead to some incredible experiences and opportunities.

International Womens Day 2022 is all about celebrating the achievements of women, raising awareness against bias and taking action for equality. It aims to help create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. To celebrate, we asked some inspiring women in our Triathlon WA community to share why they love the sport, some of their greatest achievements and advice for women who are new to our sport.

Our next profile is Deb Kempe; coach and triathlete.

How did you get involved in Triathlon and what is your role now?
I was a late bloomer, coming to Triathlon through the Jane Fonda fitness era which saw me looking pretty good in leg warmers, but unproven in any other sport.

My friend and colleague, and now President of the Perth Triathlon Club, Karen Woods, convinced me to “just pop down” to Stadium Tri Club’s Novice Course at the start of the Tri season in 2009. That popping down began my career as a Triathlete and now as a Coach. I been able to travel the world and learned so much more than just how to Swim, Bike and Run.

I embraced the sport and all that it offered, completing every distance from Enticer to Ironman and becoming an inaugural member of Pursuit Coaching’s Blackfin Squad.

My love of Triathlon and passion as an educator led me to formalize my coaching qualifications through accreditation as a Triathlon Australia Development Coach (2015), by attending the Training Peaks University (2018) and in 2021 completing the “Woman Are Not Small Men” course conducted by Dr Stacy Sims. I was an Assistant Coach at Pursuit Coaching for 5 years, began my own bespoke coaching service and most recently have accepted a part time “Coach in Residence” role at Perth Tri Club.

What do you enjoy most about Triathlon?
I have enjoyed (athletic) success in the sport, but overwhelmingly it is not this measure of success that has brought me the greatest joy. It has been the continuous learning, the friendships forged, the opportunities I’ve been given, and the inspiration, support, and encouragement I have received in abundance from others.

Finding a tribe of females (and males) that has challenged, inspired, and supported me is at the heart of this sport. It has given me the confidence to defy the stereotypes associated with gender and to challenge the prejudices around ageing and performance. Triathlon also allowed me to process and overcome my deeply entrenched body dysmorphia and find my self confidence again.

I have laughed (so often) till I’ve cried, cried (less often) and managed to discuss everything from tyre pressure to the meaning of life for entire Zone 2 River Loops and Long Slow Distance (conversation pace) runs.

As a coach, I also get so much satisfaction from assisting others to achieve their own goals.

What is your greatest achievement in Triathlon, what are you most proud of?

Without doubt, it was coaching a group of athletes to the start line of the Busselton Ironman in 2021. Our group was a motley crew consisting of a FIFO worker who swam in a 29 degree, 18 meter pool encrusted with cicadas, a cancer survivor, a gifted athlete with 3 young boys, a supportive partner and a “big dog” job with only 8 hours a week to train, an ex-elite rugby prop with a great set of neck muscles perfect for holding aero position, an athlete with multiple complex injuries which had to be team managed and a number of other very unique trusting individuals. These people made me so proud.

In my own athletic career, some highlights include achieving third place for Australia in the 2012 Challenge Wanaka (NZ) and winning the International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) World Long Course Bronze medal in 2013. I became a World Duathlon Champion competing in Spain in the ITU World Championships and when defending that title the following year in Adelaide, gained a silver medal.

In 70.3 Ironman triathlons, I had wins in Busselton, Mandurah and was a National Age group champion at the Triathlon Championships in Geelong.

I went on to participate competitively in all road cycling disciplines, from Time Trial and Road Races in Perth and Italy to BWA’s 3 & 5 Dams and as a member of sponsored teams in the Tour of Margaret River between 2014 and 2020. In 2021, I was a member of the inaugural 4Five+ Team, where all six members aged >45, finished a solid 4th in A Division.

I hold the Australian Veteran Cycling Mockeridge Cup for Fastest Female at the National Cycling Championships, along with winning two silver medals for Australia at the UCI World Cycling Championships in 2016 (Perth) and 2018 (Italy).

In 2021, I expanded my cycling repertoire and entered SEVEN, an off-road Endurance Race held in Nannup, where I earnt a coveted Golden belt buckle. I’m heading back to Nannup this May where I hope to qualify for the UCI World Gravel Championships to be held in Italy in Sept 2022.

What is your advice for any women who are wanting to start participating in Triathlon?
Everyone has the right to set audacious goals for themselves. I understand that it can be daunting for anyone to try something new, and this is especially true for women. My advice is to dive into your suitcase of courage and do just as I did, pop down and check it out.

There are so many clubs and groups offering safe and supportive beginner, all female sessions and races, squad environments; where you will be warmly welcomed and given the skills and confidence to tackle the challenge of your first triathlon, maybe your first Ironman, to make a comeback or just to try something different!

Anything else you’d like to talk about or share for International Womens Day?
Of particular interest to me is to assist women to become or stay active throughout all stages of their life. This year, with others, I have embarked on a female health initiative, “4 FIVE PLUS Athlete Collective”. The aim being to inspire and support female athletes to maintain an active and competitive life through research and positive role models.

The website is well worth a look and is full of inspiring images of females of all ages doing fantastic things. Whilst we started as a cycling initiative and targeting women 45+, our goal is to expand our reach to females competing in all sporting pursuits at all levels.

Here’s to all the women on International Women’s Day – may you live and train with optimism and always have some feisty training buddies!

International Womens Day 2022 is all about celebrating the achievements of women, raising awareness against bias and taking action for equality. It aims to help create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. To celebrate, we asked some inspiring women in our Triathlon WA community to share why they love the sport, some of their greatest achievements and advice for women who are new to our sport.

Our next profile is Simone Roach; triathlon coach, Perth Hills Tri Club president, technical official and triathlete.

How did you get involved in Triathlon and what is your role now?
I was a long distance runner who was moving in to ultramarathon running. As the training distances got longer, I started getting a number of running related injuries which needed rest and rehabilitation. My long suffering physio told me I could swim and ride to keep fit while I rehabbed and it would also be a good idea to cross train to lower future injury risk. An idea was born! Swim, bike, run!

After a few short races, I joined a tri club in Newcastle, but after coming to WA, I struggled to find a good fit and spent a number of years training alone. I eventually came across Perth Hills Tri Club and it was a match made in heaven. I am now the President of the Club, a Technical Official and will soon be a Foundation Level Coach

What do you enjoy most about Triathlon?
I enjoy the inherent challenge in it. Not so much the physical challenge (though that can exist also), but the organisational challenge. The need to make a lot of little things come together in the right places at the right times for a really good performance.

I also really enjoy the sense of community. Triathlon is a fringe sport and I think because of that, those who are in it really support each other. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are. How old or young. Whether you are an absolute beginner or a seasoned champion, there is always someone ready to share their experience and advice to help you improve.

What is your greatest achievement in Triathlon, what are you most proud of?
Completing my first Ironman after being told I’d probably never run again due to a back injury was perhaps my biggest achievement.

What is your advice for any women who are wanting to start participating in Triathlon?
There’s a perception triathlon is a difficult sport. Many people think it is beyond their abilities. It’s really not. You’ve just got to start wherever you are. It doesn’t matter how far or fast you go. Just start. Once you do, you’ll find it’s not as hard as you might have thought it would be and it is way more fun than you could have imagined.

Joining a like-minded Club is also really beneficial (I can recommend Perth Hills Tri Club)! Clubs provide so many benefits from cheap or free training sessions, support and encouragement on race day, cool kit (ours is especially cool), and accountability to keep you on track when motivation is lacking to name just a few. Many clubs (ours included) offer novice programs too which provide a comfortable introduction to the sport and club life which can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming when looking in from the outside

What are some of the benefits you have seen for female athletes and technical officials in our sport?
Often after having kids, women feel they have lost a bit of their identity. Some women come to triathlon to be challenged in a way they thought they were never capable. Within our club I love welcoming these women and seeing their growth. Frequently they start feeling unsure of being able to complete even the shortest of races and within a very short period of time, their self-confidence has grown and they have proven to themselves they are far more capable than they thought possible.

Anything else you’d like to talk about or share for International Womens Day?
While there are more male participants in races than female, in triathlon there are significantly more women in leadership positions than men. As TO’s, coaches, Club Presidents and committee members, state governing body Executives. In Triathlon, women are shaping the future of the sport. I am proud to be one of those women.

International Womens Day 2022 is all about celebrating the achievements of women, raising awareness against bias and taking action for equality. It aims to help create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. To celebrate, we asked some inspiring women in our Triathlon WA community to share why they love the sport, some of their greatest achievements and advice for women who are new to our sport.

Our second profile is Ineke Moyle; triathlete, former WA state administrator, supporter, and mum of three teenage boys.

How did you get involved in Triathlon and what is your role now?
I grew up a runner (thanks Mum!) but, about 10 years ago, I started working with an apparel brand well known in the triathlon world and that’s how I first found the sport. I think the very first event I did was probably a women’s only tri at Hillarys and then I was hooked!

What do you enjoy most about Triathlon?
I think one of the most amazing things I’ve experienced through triathlon is finding a community of like-minded people and making some great friends. The other thing that really stands out to me is that it’s a sport with a place for everyone – I find it to be really welcoming and inclusive.

What is your greatest achievement in Triathlon, what are you most proud of?
I can’t go past two Ironman finishes as my proudest moments to date – simply because they represent the achievement of something that I once would have told you was utterly unattainable. Signing up for a full requires a leap of faith, doing the work over the next six months requires such commitment and tests you both mentally and physically and then the day itself is – I find, at least – just a joyous celebration of what’s possible if you dare to try. I recommend it!

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What is your advice for any women who are wanting to start participating in Triathlon?
As I said earlier, I really believe triathlon is a sport with a place for everyone. Find an event with a distance on offer that you can set your sights on and train towards. If you’re not sure how, consider joining a beginner’s course through one of Triathlon WA’s Tri clubs. A women’s only event like the Every Woman Triathlon in April is a great place to start. Just take that first step – you won’t regret it!

What are some of the benefits you have seen for female athletes and technical officials in our sport?
I keep circling back to community and friendships as one of the main benefits of being involved in triathlon. I think that having that sense of community and a network of friends is invaluable to our mental health and well-being. In fact, that might be just as important as the benefits to our physical health through swimming, cycling and running.