After the success of combining a series of workshops to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November of last year, Triathlon England’s AGM was extended to cover a full action-packed weekend (15/16 November).
This much anticipated full weekend AGM was full of expectant Triathlon England members enjoying the vast array of triathlon workshops and courses that were on offer. The two-day format also, for the first time, included the presentation drinks reception to acknowledge the nine worthy Triathlon England Award winners for 2014.
Triathlon England’s support and appreciation of our dedicated coaches, volunteers and officials remains a priority focus that is highly valued by triathletes across the country. The services that these people offer selflessly week in, week out is never under estimated by Triathlon England and this was echoed by the bumper number of members who attended the Saturday evening Awards Drinks Reception. The reception and the awarding of individual and team honours was the highlight of the new-look AGM and succeeded in paying a fitting tribute to the achievements of the true unsung champions of our sport.
The winners of the 2014 Triathlon England Awards were:
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Volunteer: Sheila Horsman (London)
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Young Volunteer: Luke Harrison, (Yorkshire and Humberside)
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Official: Sarah Taylor (West Midlands)
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Young Coach: Catherine Jones (North West)
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Children’s Coach: Mel Humphreys (West Midlands)
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Participation Coach: Dom Dos Remedios (South Central)
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Performance-Development Coach: Rob Harvey (Yorkshire and Humberside)
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Club: Crystal Palace (London)
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Event of the year: Grafman , NiceTri Events (Eastern)
Crystal Palace Triathletes picked up the coveted 2014 club of the year award. Sally Kidson, coach coordinator for the club, commented on behalf of the winning recipients: “We are delighted to win this award as is a massive honour – especially because we really are a club for mere mortals!”
Spanning the Saturday and Sunday, close to a hundred Triathlon England members converged at Loughborough University to take advantage of a wide variety of triathlon workshops and courses that were made available. Many of the particpants stayed overnight to fully enjoy the Triathlon England Awards Drinks Reception and attend the Sunday workshop sessions.
There were a total of 14 workshops and courses available over the weekend, which were all warmly received by the triathletes who attended. Rob Jones from Shrewsbury based triathlon club, SYtri said: "I have been cycling in large groups for 30 years and it was brilliant to be able to learn something new from the course. Combining this sort of thing with the AGM is a good idea as it broadens the appeal for the membership.”
The business of the AGM itself was held midway through the Saturday, which resulted in two of the three proposed resolutions being passed by a record turnout of members. It also provided an opportunity for the membership to applaud the 2014 England Talent Squad and read through the 2014 Triathlon England Annual Report.
To view a copy of the Annual Report, please click
here.
Mark Barfield, a proud Director of English Operations said: "The AGM Workshop Weekender has been a resounding success, with the highlights being the workshops themsleves and the opportunity to celebrate with our members the worthy award winners for 2014. On behalf of the Triathlon England Management Board and staff, I wish to congratulate all our winners and thank them for their tireless dedication which has enabled thousands of new and existing triathletes to enjoy our sport.”
Plans are already afoot to build upon the success of this year's AGM for 2015.
