Athlone Triathlon Club: Club of the Year finalist
The Athlone Triathlon Club describes itself as an inclusive club that supports and engages a community of members to achieve their best. The club provides professionally coached group training sessions and fully accessible events to allow members and potential new members to improve their fitness levels, as well as their technique and skills.
Several members of the club have participated in international events, representing the club and/or Ireland, including Aoife Mulry, who qualified for both the European Triathlon Championships in Vichy, France in September 21-22 and the World Championships in Malaga in October, and Josh Schnell, who also qualified for the European Championships.
In addition, many of the events organised by the club involve participation by members of other triathlon clubs from around Ireland, and take competitors to locations around Athlone, such as Coosan Point on Lough Ree for the swimming legs of triathlons.
The Athlone Triathlon Club provides training in running, both track and cross country; cycling, online during winter, group cycles and time trials in summer months; and swimming, both pool and, in summer, open water sessions.
The club also has a junior club, with categories of 0-14 years, 15-16 years and 17-19 years. The club has safeguarding officers whose role it is to ensure all coaches and volunteers have been garda vetted, as well as to be available to any child or parent who wishes to speak in confidence for any reason.
In September 2023, the Athlone Triathlon Club became the third club to be recognised under Triathlon Ireland’s Evolve Club Standards Programme.
The club was awarded the Bronze Accreditation Level for the governance standards it has put in place to make Athlone Triathlon Club a safe, rewarding and fulfilling place for participants of all genders and ages.
The other Club of the Year finalists are Ballinahown Development Association and Rosemount Social Initiative.
The Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 takes place at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Thursday.
The Club of the Year category at the Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 is sponsored by Specsavers.