First established in 2019, the Triathlon England Youth Forum provides an active voice for younger generations in decision making and initiatives within the governing body.
The Youth Forum advises Triathlon England on how best to engage with young people to meet their needs within swim, bike, run and wider physical activity. The forum plays a crucial role in deepening the involvement of young people in making decisions that affect their future in the sport.
Triathlon England is now recruiting new members aged 14-25 years old to support the existing members of the forum.
Having first met in June 2019, the forum consisted of Hamish Reilly, Tom Dickinson, Zac Christie, Charlotte Gowers (Chair), Helen Taylor (Diversity & Inclusion Rep), Phoebe Greensit, Olivia Utting, Alexandra Pitts and Megan Higgins.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, they organised and delivered a junior GO TRI duathlon for 8-14 year olds, and have remained engaged in discussions around the future of swim, bike, run for children and young people as part of Triathlon England’s strategy.
The forum recruitment is open to 14-25 year olds and will be a two-year, voluntary opportunity to help shape strategies and activities for children and young people moving forwards.
Applicants will need to send a short, two-minute video introducing themselves and why they’d like to be part of the forum. Videos should be submitted to cyp@britishtriathlon.org before Sunday 26 September.
More information on the Triathlon England Youth Forum and applications can be found here.
Charlotte Gowers, Triathlon England Youth Forum Chair, said: “Being in the Youth Forum has been a great experience, building amazing experience working with such a close group of like-minded individuals who are spread across the country and from completely different backgrounds but all share a of love triathlon.
“And that’s the reason I decided that I wanted to be on the Youth Forum, I’ve done triathlons since 2008 and I am a Level 2 coach and wanted another way that I could help and get involved with the sport whilst getting great experience to be able to add depth to my CV when hoping for a future career in triathlon.
“As a forum, we aim to develop youth participation by getting young people to just have a go by removing barriers to involvement by creating a fun environment where we can connect kids by their love and passion of sport and represent their views on the future developments within triathlon.
“Being a part of the Youth Forum, we help advise Triathlon England on how to engage effectively with young people; we represent Triathlon England at events and work in partnership with Triathlon Scotland and Welsh Triathlon.
“We organise GO TRI events on behalf of Triathlon England and feedback on present youth schemes. This means that we are able to run events that get the kids to have a go at the sport which they may want to carry on doing and the most important part which is just to be active which is so important for the physical and mental health of the next generation.
“So if you’re feeling as though you want another way to have your say and help future developments in such an amazing sport and gain a wealth of experience with working with head office apply!”
Amy Crow, Head of Children and Young People at British Triathlon, said: “The Youth Forum is a vital part of our plans as we develop how we engage children and young people in swim, bike, run.
“We’re developing different initiatives to work with schools and organisations involved with children and young people as we look to establish and implement our strategy, with the youth forum supporting and inputting into our plans.
“This is a great opportunity for the next generation to help shape how we work, and I’d encourage any young person who is passionate about sport and supporting others in taking part to apply.”
