British Triathlon Federation Annual Report 2008 Introduction from Dr Sarah Springman OBE
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British Triathlon Federation Annual Report 2008 Introduction from Dr Sarah Springman OBE This year, we have celebrated 25 years right things’ in the sense of the big pic‐ Great Britain in front of friends, family of Triathlon competition in our country, ture, whilst taking care of the more and sponsors, as well as Dreamteam’s encouraging us to reflect on where we process‐oriented requirements de‐ TV cameras too, with avid Sunday have come from and, more particularly, manded by our members, and their morning viewing on offer on Channel 4 in which direction we should be heading members, of ’doing things right’. as part of our new British Grand Prix in the future, both as a sport and as the Series with partners IMG and Human governing body for Triathlon in Great Sport is about amazing deeds and sto‐ Britain. I remember when we were al‐ ries, incredible ‘on the edge of your ways described as ‘that gruelling sport, seat’ excitement, raw competition, he‐ Triathlon’, whereas now, hopefully, our roic achievements, all related strongly profile has evolved with the sport be‐ to people. These are people who strive coming more accessible to people of all daily with their training in pursuit of ages, and inclusive to all racial and reaching their potential, whatever it social backgrounds as well as being a may be and those who support, be they sport that welcomes disabled athletes from a commercial perspective as race of all abilities. We will make time to director, supplier of equipment or ser‐ recognise our past heroes through crea‐ vices as a volunteer (coach, official, tion of a prestigious Gold Pin award board member, team manager, admin‐ giving lifetime membership to acknowl‐ istrator, support team member, event edge their sport changing contribution. helper etc.) or as a member of staff. On the latter front, recruiting the best peo‐ The unique sporting circumstances as‐ ple is essential. Thereafter, training, sociated with hosting both Olympic and motivating, empowering and retaining Commonwealth Games in quick succes‐ excellent staff is indispensable. To that sion make it imperative that we seize end, the appointment of Zara Hyde Pe‐ the opportunity to plan for the next two ters, who joined us early in 2008 as four year cycles at least, to ensure that Chief Executive, has set the scene, Triathlon in Britain merges from this building a talented senior management Race. exciting yet challenging period in excel‐ group to contribute to development of lent health! To that end, we have en‐ the new strategy and then to ensure the We celebrated another successful year gaged in a process to deliver a strategy operational delivery. of elite competition with ITU World and that can be embraced throughout the ETU European Champions at all levels in Home Nations that is integrated fully Corus have continued to be excellent Triathlon and Duathlon, and World Cup with those of our members, the individ‐ and most supportive premier sponsors, medallists galore. Many congratulations ual home countries. ‘Joined up’ thinking as well as our British Olympic Associa‐ to those who have made a break‐ and action is essential and can be en‐ tion FTSE100 partners, to help us reach through at the highest levels this year, compassed within a wide ranging and the necessary next stage in our develop‐ with four triathletes finishing in the top stimulating purpose for the British Tri‐ ment as a sport and governing body. ten men and women’s annual ITU point athlon Federation: We are most grateful to them and are tables, and further brilliant winning per‐ working to progress to a higher level formances in both ITU and other com‐ “to promote excellence in our sport, partnership over the next six years, in mercially branded world competitions. and create opportunities for everyone conjunction with their new owners, to achieve their personal Triathlon Tata Steel. The Corus Kids of Steel Series However, the premier shop window challenges.” grew dramatically this year with double event for us as a sport, for which we are the number of children taking part, in‐ supported by considerable Lottery fund‐ This must be supported fully by a way of cluding an impressive cohort of children ing through UK Sport, were the two doing our daily business, represented by from entirely new geographical areas Olympic triathlons in Beijing. Our Olym‐ clear values of fair play, respect, consis‐ and backgrounds, previously un‐ pians were unable to bring back the tency and transparency, readiness to penetrated by the sport of Triathlon. Olympic medals they were aiming to embrace change, encouraging high aspi‐ The ‘Corus Disability Project’ witnessed win, and for various reasons. Lessons rations, recognising success and being similar striking growth too, with a highly must be learnt from this experience, so environmentally conscious. successful, and hugely inspirational, that the medal mission in 2012 is Disabled British Championships. The achieved on home ground, when we are Future focus will be entirely on the Corus Elite Series evolved this year as the Olympic hosts. There can be no bet‐ three p’s of building profile, delivering well, with some excellent racing in all ter time, place and location for our fu‐ performance and growing participation, three of our Home Nations, offering our ture Olympians to win a first Olympic all within an ethical background and talented youngsters an opportunity to Triathlon medal for Great Britain. backed up with clear, transparent gov‐ go head to head against Olympians ernance and by a world class support from home and abroad. The senior ath‐ system. We will aim to be ‘doing the letes enjoyed the chance to compete in Many congratulations to all our British Their readiness to engage in training And, what excitement the preparation representatives on taking their opportu‐ their own, and our combined, skills with for the Olympics and Paralympics will nity to achieve their personal Triathlon / the assistance of our sponsors, First bring during the next four years! The Duathlon challenges, notwithstanding a Ascent, says much about our aspira‐ London Organising Committee for the few other difficulties with changing tional culture and readiness to embrace Olympic Games (LOCOG) is fully aware boundary conditions on the way. Our change. It has also helped us to take of the challenges they face in moving top Age Groupers really do epitomise opportunities to contribute to the the Olympic and Paralympic world on the participation to performance path‐ sporting spectrum at national and inter‐ from the amazing Beijing experience. way that may even allow them to build national level too, and to ensure that LOCOG have many exciting plans afoot personal profile locally from which they the voice of Triathlon in Britain is heard. that will offer a fantastic 14 days of and our sport in general can profit Olympic competition in 2012 (alas Tri‐ hugely. Age Group activities are en‐ We seek to be an athlete‐centred or‐ athlon is not yet a Paralympic pro‐ hanced greatly by the Mazda National ganisation, and Annie Emmerson is gramme sport although we are commit‐ Ranking Series and Championships; with thanked for her contribution as Director ted to support ITU to achieve this) as Mazda aligning their brand and market‐ representing the elite athletes. Follow‐ well as building legacy around both ing closely with our attractive sport and ing her resignation and the inability to Games too. Watch out for the growing athletes. find a current or very recent elite ath‐ number of massive city centre screens, lete able to allocate enough time to spread around the country that will of‐ There have been some positive devel‐ serve as a Director, we have sought to fer attractive places to carry out ‘short, opments in our endeavours to achieve change the constitution by reducing the sharp and fun’ access for city centre international sporting influence. Great load so that the job will be more achiev‐ Duathlons, if not Triathlons, for the Britain will be represented at Table Offi‐ able and less taxing alongside the main masses, and then to link these to elite cer level in ITU, meaning that we can focus of achieving maximum perform‐ events elsewhere in the country as well! contribute ideas to international strat‐ ance. Personally, I hope that the “free to egy and policy and add viewpoints view” events such as the Olympic Tri‐ gleaned from working in the key BTF I would like to thank all the staff and athlons will offer a very special mind‐ areas, especially on age group, perform‐ members of the Board ‐ Ian P Howard body‐soul experience to the multitudes ance, events, international relations and TD (Business), Steve Collins (Finance), of spectators. governance matters. Jem Lawson JP (England), Tom Cham‐ bers (Scotland), Dr Dean Hardie (Wales), In consequence, we have been striving Hidden to most of our Home Nation Ian Braid (Events), Chris Kitchen to win the right to host a major interna‐ members will be the volunteer efforts (Performance), Howard Vine (Age tional event in Hyde Park, the Olympic from all non‐executive Board members, Group) and Zara Hyde Peters (CEO) ‐ for Triathlon venue, every August from who have engaged with great passion their contribution this year. 2009 through to the LOCOG test event and commitment, together with the in 2011. This is essential to train techni‐ senior management group, in our drive Respectfully submitted on behalf of the cal and volunteer teams, develop race to improve our governance and perform Directors, systems as well as all the ancillary meas‐ more effectively and efficiently and of‐ ures required to put on a major event. fer an excellent service that is also value Dr Sarah Springman Should London Hyde Park be accepted for money.