Category: Latest News

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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We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of an athlete who participated in the SunSmart Busselton 100 held on Saturday 29 April 2023.

We extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the athlete, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.

Thank you to the athletes, event medical team and emergency services who provided immediate medical support on the bike leg of the course prior to the athlete being transferred to hospital.

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.

Support is being made available to all members of the Triathlon community impacted. Please feel free to contact Triathlon Western Australia if you would like any further assistance through this difficult time.

For more information on the support available, please contact Triathlon Western Australia via email: executive@wa.triathlon.org.au

More than 40 of the Oceania region’s top elite, U23 and Junior athletes will travel to Busselton, Western Australia this month to compete in the Oceania Triathlon Cup Busselton; a Super Sprint Eliminator race for ranking points ahead of the 2023 international season.

The 2023 Oceania Triathlon Cup will take place between 10am and 1pm AWST on Friday 28 April 2023 as part of the SunSmart Busselton Festival of Triathlon. Presentations will be held at 1.30pm AWST.

In the elite male field, local athletes Luke Bate, Zeke Tinley, Kurt Wesley, Nick Thompson and Reece Harris will have the home ground advantage against their interstate and international competition. 

The WA representation in the elite female field will be just as fierce, with Aleisha Wesley, Sian Munks, and Herlene Yu (racing for SGP) set to light up the course.

They’ll have their work cut out for them though, with Olympian Emma Jeffcoat and Commonwealth Games representatives Charlotte McShane and Luke Willian also taking on the Cup.

It’s a massive opportunity for our local U23 and Junior athletes to experience this level of racing, with Rhianna Hepburn, Madison Toovey, Joshua Neervoort, James Kjellgren-Lewis, Joshua Fletcher, Tommaso Puccini, Ivan Nagel and Indie Arbuckle set to take on the challenge.

Dylan Holland (SA), Henry McMecking (NZL), Oliver Larcombe (NZL), Jack Crome (QLD), Liam Dixon (NSW), Luke Schofield (NSW), Monty Dixon (NSW), Yoann Colin (ACT), Jayden Schofield (NSW), Tzu I Pan (TPE), Kye Wylde (QLD), Lleyton Wall (NSW), Rory Thornhill (ACT), and Lachlan Jones (QLD) round out the Men’s field.

Erika Tanno (JPN), Natasha Bowyer (NZL), Briana Mow (QLD), Chloe Bateup (ACT), Ellie Hoitink (QLD), Maddison Yarrow (QLD), Jessica Ewart-McTigue (QLD), Victoria Gillies (QLD), Angharad Llewellyn (NZL) and Emma Olsen Keating (NSW) round out the Women’s field.

OCEANIA PARA CUP BUSSELTON

For the first time in history, the SunSmart Busselton Festival of Triathlon will also play host to the 2023 Oceania Para Cup Busselton.

This event will take place between 7.30am and 9.30am AWST on Sunday 30 April 2023. Presentations will be held at 10.30am AWST. As a World Triathlon Continental Cup, this race will provide a crucial ranking points opportunity for Australia’s top para triathletes ahead of the Paralympic qualification period starting 1 July.

WA athletes Nige Young (PTWC), Brant Garvey (PTS2), Paralympian David Bryant (PTS5) and two time World Triathlon Cup winnerSally Pilbeam (PTS4) will get a chance to race in their home state.

Other para triathletes racing include Kurt Peterson (PTS4), Liam Twomey (PTS4), Commonwealth Games medallist Sam Harding (PTVI), Sara Tait (PTWC), Hannah MacDougall (PTS4), Maggie Sandles (PTVI) and Caroline Baird (PTVI).

Athletes Sam Harding (PTVI), David Bryant (PTS5) and Liam Twomey (PTS4) all won last year’s Oceania Cups and will be looking to retain their titles in Busselton. It’s set to be an exciting morning out on course!

For more information about the event, please see the links below or visit www.busseltonfestivaloftriathlon.com.au.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Full Oceania Cup Start List: https://triathlon.org/events/event/2023_oceania_triathlon_cup_busselton

Full Para Cup Start List: https://triathlon.org/events/event/2023_oceania_triathlon_para_cup_busselton

Event Schedule: https://www.busseltonfestivaloftriathlon.com.au/oceania-triathlon-cup-event-schedule/

Course Maps: https://www.busseltonfestivaloftriathlon.com.au/oceania-triathlon-cup-busselton-course-

Triathlon Western Australia is pleased to announce a new addition to the 2023 SunSmart Busselton Festival of Triathlon lineup! For the first time in the festival’s history, Barnard Park will play host to the 2023 Oceania Cup Busselton and the 2023 Oceania Triathlon Para Cup Busselton.

The 2023 Oceania Triathlon Cup will take place from 10am AWST on Friday 28 April 2023. Australia’s top elite and U23 athletes will compete over the Super Sprint Eliminator race in the race for ranking points ahead of the 2023 international season.

The 2023 Oceania Para Cup will take place from 7.30am AWST on Sunday 30 April 2023. WA legends including David Bryant and Sally Pilbeam will get a chance to race in their home state. As a World Triathlon Continental Cup, the race will also provide a crucial ranking points opportunity for Australia’s top para triathletes ahead of the Paralympic qualification period starting 1 July.

Triathlon Australia and Triathlon New Zealand are looking to further improve representation across the region. These events pose an excellent opportunity for Australian athletes to earn points towards a world ranking, and continue to develop and test their skills, which is important as we look to Paris and beyond.

Triathlon Western Australia Executive Director Glenn Te Raki says the entire TWA team are excited to have the level of Elite competition that both the Continental Cup events will bring to the Busselton Festival of Triathlon.

“To have a number of elite athletes from the Oceania region attending this weekend festival will showcase the sport of Triathlon in Western Australia and add to the excitement of the Busselton 100 and the associated events being held over the weekend,” said Te Raki.

“We welcome everyone along to experience this first-time opportunity in Busselton to watch the very best athletes compete in these events and thank our sponsors and partners for assisting us to bring this showcase to the Busselton Festival of Triathlon.”

Triathlon Western Australia President Brenden Koh said the addition of Oceania Triathlon racing brings a new level of excitement and opportunity.

“Triathlon Western Australia is thrilled to welcome the inclusion of these events at the SunSmart Busselton Festival of Triathlon,” said Koh.

The Busselton Festival of Triathlon has a rich history and tradition of providing a platform for athletes to showcase their skills, and we are confident that the addition of Oceania Triathlon racing will continue to raise the bar for this iconic event. We look forward to seeing the best of the best compete in Busselton and inspiring the next generation of triathletes,” he said.

For more information about the event, please see the links below or visit www.busseltonfestivaloftriathlon.com.au.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Event Schedule: https://www.busseltonfestivaloftriathlon.com.au/oceania-triathlon-cup-event-schedule/

Course Maps: https://www.busseltonfestivaloftriathlon.com.au/oceania-triathlon-cup-busselton-course-maps/

Triathlon Western Australia Inc. is on the search for a passionate and suitably qualified candidate to join our office team in the role of Membership and Marketing Manager for a fixed term contract of twelve (12) months.

The purpose of the Marketing and Membership Manager role is to:

• To provide the operational management and delivery of Triathlon WA’s Marketing, Membership and Participation portfolios.
• Provide support to Triathlon WA Clubs to enable them to grow and diversify their membership and offerings
• Create and deliver TWA brand and collateral
• Engage with all sections of the community with a focus on engagement, development and assistance to achieve our vision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Marketing and Brand Development 

• Formulate and implement marketing and business development strategies to grow membership and engagement.
• Create and support the implementation of marketing initiatives with clubs and key stakeholders
• Develop company collateral to support marketing initiatives
• Manage Triathlon WA digital platforms in line with marketing campaign
• Promotion of events and participation opportunities to existing & potential members
• Representing and building the profile of TWA at local events

Membership and Participation

• Coordinate, review improving existing initiatives to drive members and participation in the sport of Triathlon in WA
• Implement participation programs within Triathlon WA affiliated clubs
• Liaise with clubs on their membership and program enquiries
• Dissemination of information in response to enquiries to introduce new members and link new members to affiliated triathlon clubs
• Liaise with clubs to develop best practice in club management
• Coordinating, delivery and promoting relevant activities, seminars and workshops for club development
• Coordinate, promote and deliver member benefit program
• Promote triathlon events and training programs to wider community to engage new members and participants
• Work with Triathlon Australia on the roll out of any national participation programs
• Point of contact for any member database enquiries from affiliated clubs
• Support clubs to utilise marketing materials and digital platforms to drive member engagement

Stakeholder Engagement

• Implementing strategies for community and club engagement.
• Working with TWA affiliated clubs to help them strengthen their membership base and overall functionality.
• Actively searching for funding/grant opportunities for TWA and affiliated Clubs
• Work in partnership with schools and service providers to encourage participation in triathlon
• Support clubs to utilise marketing materials and digital platforms to drive member engagement 

Finance and Reporting 

• Manage and monitor annual club, marketing and program budgets as approved by the Executive Director
• Prepare reports for monthly TWA Board Meetings
• Prepare reports for Triathlon WA  Annual Report
• Prepare reports and acquittals for grant funds as required
• Identifying potential opportunities for external funding for club initiatives

Other Duties

• Any other duties as required and discussed by management

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will need to be submitted to the Executive Director, no later than 5:00pm Friday 24 March 2023. Applications will only be accepted via email to: executive@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 via the above email or to the Executive Director, Glenn Te Raki on 08 9443 9778.