As part of its four year strategic plan and Sport England funding, Triathlon England are looking to assist in the development of more large scale, mass participation events in iconic locations across England.
To do this we will be looking to engage established event organisers and work with them to create these events. At Triathlon England we recognise that the most expensive and difficult times in any events evolution is during their first few years of creation. It is during this time we want to assist organisers to ‘get to the start line’.
The role of Triathlon England is one of assistance and we will not be looking to own any of the events. Similarly we are not looking to create English/British championship or qualifying events. Rather we are trying to help establish more large scale, iconic events, that can be delivered in a sustainable fashion once any assistance is removed.
Naturally we are looking for a certain type of event, and will expect a few conditions to be met as an absolute minimum. These are:
•1,000 plus race starts – the ability to develop the event to deliver over 1000 race starts per year
• High quality - A high quality ‘big race’ race experience
• Iconic location – In an iconic location (city centre, country house, etc)
• Sustainable business model – a self sustaining event, without the need for year on year event support
• Permitted and registered – The event and organisers must permit and register the events with Triathlon England and have a proven track record in doing so.
• Geographic need – Event should take place in an area with a proven geographic need.
• Local support – the organiser must prove they have necessary local support from land owner, LA’s, etc.
• Proven track record – the organiser must have a proven track record in the delivery of high quality events.
• Unique – The event should deliver something special and unique to its participants.
• Triathlon development - The event model must include consideration for the greater development of triathlon activities in the local area.
How will we do this?
We are exclusively looking for new race starts, so this will largely be centred on the creation of new events. We will consider any proposal, but loosely speaking we believe there will be three categories of event development –
1. An organiser is developing an event and requires assistance.
2. A local authority/venue is looking to create an event and has engaged TE to assist in a tendering process for an organiser.
3. Triathlon England has targeted a specific geographic location and will run a tendering process for the organiser.
What assistance is available?
Any assistance will be bespoke to the event/venue in question. The intervention comes with Sport England funding and a dedicated manager to oversee its delivery. Along with the potential for financial assistance, we can also provide quality assurance to organiser and venue, the weight of the governing body in discussions/negotiations, technical expertise and extensive relationship networks.
Examples of where we might assist –
• Shared financial risk
• Significant one-off costs
• Introduction to local authorities
• Assistance in gaining of event permits/road closures, etc
• Equipment
• Specific technical experts
What now?
We are looking for events to join this exciting intuitive for the 2015* and 2016 seasons. Please contact us if:
• You are currently developing an event(s) that could meet all of the above criteria and require this assistance, we would welcome your proposals.
• You are not currently developing an event(s) that meet the conditions, but may in the near future now you know this could be available, we would welcome your contact.
• You are looking to expand your events portfolio and would be interested in being contacted if/when events are to be tendered for, we would welcome your contact.
To express your interest, deliver an event proposal or for an informal chat, please contact:
Morgan Williams
National Development Manager
07739 526560
Alternativeley download the 2015 Major Events Bidding Guidance Document for futher details.
*Please note any proposals for 2014 events should be received no later than 17th November 2014. These should be accompanied by a brief event overview, how you meet the criteria, basic budgeting and levels/types of required support. All events received by this date will be considered based on their merits.
