Triathlon England receives vote of confidence from Sport England
Sport England increases its funding by 60%
Triathlon England is pleased and heartened to receive the news from Sport England that its plan to proactively support the growth of triathlon in England over the next four years has been supported. The Sport England award of £7.5m over the next four years represents an increase of 60% in funding.
Looking to build on the sport’s ever-growing popularity, Triathlon England submitted a highly ambitious plan aimed at ensuring that the growth of triathlon continues apace from 2013 to 2017. The plan, developed by the Triathlon England Management Board and Triathlon England staff following a lengthy consultation process across the sport, will help clubs and event organisers continue to work hard to progress the quality of the triathlon offer in England. It also includes new initiatives, which will improve access to triathlon and help new people get involved.
Jem Lawson, Chair of Triathlon England said: “We are enormously encouraged with the good news from Sport England. This is a reflection of the excellent work put in on behalf of the triathlon community in England, and also a measure of the complementary nature of the aspirations of both Triathlon England and Sport England to create a sporting habit for life through enabling excellence and delivering the opportunities for people of all ages and stages to achieve their personal triathlon challenges.”
On commenting on the award, Mark Barfield, Director of English Operations said: “We are all delighted by the announcement from Sport England. We believe triathlon is an engaging, inclusive and dynamic sport with an exciting future and we look forward to working with the sport to continue to deliver triathlon opportunities for all over the next four years. With the on-going support of Sport England, we, at Triathlon England, will ensure that we do all we can to raise our game and deliver against the vote of confidence shown in our sport.”
Sport England’s Director of Sport, Lisa O’Keefe said: “We have significantly increased our investment in triathlon based on the sport’s excellent track record and strong plans for the next four years.
“We believe this sport has excellent potential for further growth, among the growing band of people seeking a varied and flexible sport for health and fitness benefits.”
Sport England has detailed what their investment will support on www.sportengland.org:
A low cost events programme providing triathlon, duathlon and aquathlons to help address perceived cost barriers to getting involved.
A major events programme focusing on areas that don’t currently have large-scale triathlons, aiming for an exceptional athlete experience in iconic locations.
Work to increase the number of triathlon clubs in England and to boost capacity within existing clubs.
Partnerships with leisure/gym professionals to deliver informal training networks for triathletes who are not members of a club.
More information can be found on: http://www.sportengland.org/funding/ngb_investment/whole_sport_plans_2013-17/triathlon.aspx