Upcoming Events and Training News
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- Programme of interest
- For anyone engaged in endurance sports, the following programme gives an insight into the dedication and training needed. It was broadcast on Channel 4 a few weeks ago but is available for a limited time on their online player at http://www.channel4.com/programmes/running-to-the-limits/4od#3018091 . It is good that it has a realistic non-Hollywood type ending. It might be of more interest than Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory (again)!
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- Triathlon Ireland eBulletin – 21/12/09
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As part of the continuing developments within Triathlon Ireland, we are pleased to announce that the appointment of the organisation’s first ever Chief Executive Officer has been finalised. This recruitment process has taken several months and has involved a number of parties who brought their expertise to the table.
The short listing and interview panel consisted of Marie Ahern from the Irish Sports Council, Norma Bowman from SportNI, former TI President Hugh McAtamney representing the wider membership and myself representing the board. We were also able to call upon specific HR and legal advice from the sports councils. My thanks go out to all those who assisted.
The successful candidate is Mr. Matt McKerrow, who will join us from the Australian Sports Commission where he was employed as a senior consultant within their Innovation and Best Practice Department. His role there involved providing advice and support to a wide range of governing bodies, including Triathlon Australia. This broad spectrum of knowledge will now be applied within TI as we move towards a more professional structure suitable for a modern NGB.
Matt will start with us as soon as the relevant paperwork is completed and will hopefully be in post by the AGM on 30th January. He will have responsibility for the day to day running of the organisation and will manage the existing staff. The CEO will report to the board which will retain responsibility for the strategic direction that is to be followed.
The board itself has seen a number of changes recently and we can welcome Matt Coughlan on board as Treasurer, Eidin Christie as a Munster representative and Tommy Linton as the Ulster rep. Eidin and Tommy are replacing Eamonn Horgan and Oliver Harkin who have ‘served their time’. And after several years in the post, Jag Gunawardana has decided to stand down as President. A replacement will not be co-opted as we feel that this post-holder should always be elected by the membership.
Jag has overseen some significant changes within Triathlon Ireland during these years and will continue to provide assistance as required. He has dedicated many long hours during this transition period and has worked tirelessly for the good of our sport. Jag has recently been prioritising his TI involvement, to the detriment of other projects which he wishes to pursue. We wish him every success as he now takes up another challenge.
Our thanks go out to Jag, Eamonn, Oliver and all the other members who have previously served on the board. Their involvement has been critical in making triathlon the fastest growing sport in Ireland. With a professional structure in place handling the daily workload, the board will now be able to concentrate on ensuring that strategic goals are set that reflect the wishes and needs of the membership.
As mentioned above, the 2010 AGM will be held on Saturday 30th January. The meeting will start at 11:00am in Jury’s Inn, Custom House Quay, Dublin. Please regard this as official notice. A call for motions and nominations for executive board positions will be published on the website over the coming days and a comprehensive agenda and AGM booklet will be made available several days prior to the meeting. Any provincial representatives who have been previously co-opted onto the board will also seek ratification by the members. This will ensure that the board carries a strong mandate and is representative of the membership.
Following the AGM, we will be hosting the Annual Awards Dinner. This black tie affair will be an opportunity to dump the lycra and slip into something more formal. A chance to swap bike bottle for beer bottle but hopefully we’ll not all need to reach for a Kinetica recovery drink next morning. On a more serious note it is an occasion when so many of our age-groupers can take centre stage after their exploits during the 2009 National Series and National Championship races. They have worked hard and deserve credit for their achievements. Tickets will be available soon, again through the TI website.
As 2009 now draws to a close, on behalf of the board and staff of Triathlon Ireland, I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a safe and enjoyable New Year. See you on a start line in 2010!!
Yours in Sport
Conal Heatley
Secretary, Triathlon Ireland
secretary@triathlonireland.com
Tel: 00353 83 374 6607
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- Connemara Adventure Challenge
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Gaelforce West is the largest one day adventure race of its kind in the world. It is in its fifth year year in 2010 with last year seeing 2500 competitors taking part. This year we are open to 3000 competitors. The race is a multi-sport adventure race involving cycling, running, hiking and kayaking. The course of approximately 65km stretches from the stunning Glassilaun beach to Westport. En route there are some significant obstacles to cross, including Killary Harbour and the famous holy mountain of Croagh Patrick. The event is designed for solo competitors, but you can run it with a buddy or training partner.
This years event takes place on the 21st of August 2010 and costs €85 per person. We sold out mid July last year so make sure to get in early this year.
This year we are bringing you a brand new race – Connemara Adventure Challenge. It will take the format of Gaelforce West with 3 disciplines; trail/mountain running (walking and jogging also accepted!), Kayaking and cycling.The Connemara Adventure Challenge is almost half the distances of Gaelforce West at approx 26km in total and it is open to racers of all levels. It will take place amongst the most amazing scenery of Killary fjord and the spectacular Connemara. This area of the country is stunning, rugged and provides the perfect playground for an adventure race.
The race will run on the 8th May and costs €65 per person.
We will also be bringing you the return on our 24hr bike races which we hope run on the 19th June. We are just finalising details on this event so keep an eye on the website.
For full details on all the events check out www.gaelforceevents.com or call us on 095 43411
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- Christmas party
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The end of year Christmas party wiil take place this Friday night the 18th in Dillions bar at 9pm.
It is chance for all club memebers to come together in a relaxed atmosphere, away from training for a change and enjoy a drink or two. There will be finger food served on the night.
I would urge as memebers as possible to attend as there are not a lot of opportunities for memebers to come together in this manner.
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- Last Swim Session
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The last swim session before the Christmas break will go ahead this thursday the 17th at 9 30pm.
It will be a realitive easy affair with some swimming, a few relays and maybe a game of polo to finish things off. It will be an enjoyable night for all who attend and is a reward for all the hard nights of training over the winter.
It was well recieved last year and it is open to all club memebers to attend.
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- Pilates
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Pilates - a form a exercise that is designed to stablize and strengthen the core muscles and promotes good posture.
An introduction night is organised for all club members this thursday the 17th at 8pm in the Ballina Sports and Leisure Centre.
Caroline Slowey will be the instructor on the night and she is hoping to organise a class for club members if there is enough interest.
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- Bikes for Sale
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Hi Guys,
I received the following from Eoin McKenna a Triathlete in Dublin.
I have a couple of Tribikes for sale and I thought I'd send your club a mail to see if anyone would be interested. Just thought you may know someone in your club that may be looking for a bike. I have two for sale, one is a Kestrel Airfoil and the other is Quintana Roo Caliente. There's some details below:The Kestrel Airfoil has Spinergy RevX wheels and a set of HED race wheels with it. The HED wheels are hardly used, they're actually about 2K new. It has an extra small frame so it takes 650 wheels. Most all the parts are carbon, FSA carbon crankset, carbon tribars, carbon bottle cage, carbon seatpost and an arione carbon tri saddle. It also has a durace groupset with zero gravity brakes. These are the best breaks you can buy. It does however need a service and one of the Spinergy wheel needs a bit of repair. The setup cost €5500 new with the spinergy wheels, plus about another €2000 for the HED race wheels. Ill let the whoel lot go for €2500.The Quintana Roo is €2000, there's a bike case with that for free. There's only about 300 miles on this. Its brand new. The Quintana is a 54 i think, Ill check it if you need. I'm 5 10 and it fits me pretty good. Its got an FSA carbon crank, full carbpon tribars, integrated carbon seatpost and has an arion carbon tri saddle as well. It also has durace. This bike is nearly new. It cost €4500, ill let it go for €2000.Anyone who is interested can call me or drop me an emailMany thanksEoin McKenna (eoinhmckenna@gmail.com)I have the photo's and a mobile number if anyone is interested I'll email them onto you (david.sands@hse.ie).David.
