Jonathon Riall has been unveiled as the Triathlon Team Leader for Team England at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and will lead the team at the city’s first major multi-sport competition.
Riall, who is the Head Coach of the Paratriathlon programme, was the Team Leader for the sport’s debut at the Paralympics at the Rio 2016 Games. The team left Rio with four medallists including gold for Andy Lewis.
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are set to take place in just two years’ time and team England has enjoyed success at every Games since Glasgow 2014 where the team won five medals. England also sit at the top of the all-time medal table with a total of eleven medals.
Paratriathlon made its debut at the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast in 2018 with both Jade Jones-Hall and Joe Townsend coming home with a gold medal.
Riall has begun building his support team by announcing Kate Shone as his Operational Manager who will work all Team Leader meetings and support with logistical planning and preparation for Birmingham 2022.
On his appointment, Riall said: “I am really excited to be taking on the role of Team Leader at the first Commonwealth Games to be hosted in England since Manchester in 2002.
“A home Games is a special moment for any athlete, and I have been really impressed with the work undertaken by Team England the Organising Committee so far and know that the Games will be great for everyone involved.
“I want to congratulate Kate on her role with Team England. We make a great team and I can’t wait to start adding coaches to help support us in creating the best environment for athletes to compete in Birmingham.”
Mark England, Team England Chef de Mission said: “Team Leaders play a pivotal role in the preparation of athletes and support staff in the lead up to and during the Commonwealth Games. It’s really encouraging that we have such a high-quality group as we prepare our sports for the Games in Birmingham.
“I’m confident they’ll ensure every athlete has everything they need to showcase their talent and achieve performance success on the home stage for Team England in less than two years’ time.”
