SPORT SPECIFIC - TRIATHLON
With the growth of triathlon participation increasing at both amateur and elite levels, there’s a clear opportunity for leisure centre operators to introduce triathlon training and events within their facilities. Nicola Joyce reports
proportion of a leisure centre or health club’s members will train for at least one triathlon this year. The fastest-growing sport in Britain, triathlon’s popularity shows absolutely no sign of waning, with London 2012 predicted to boost interest at amateur level. In 2010/2011, British Triathlon recorded
a 15.7 per cent increase in membership numbers, with a surprisingly equal split across genders (59 per cent male, 41 per cent female). The largest age group rep- resented is the cash-rich, goal-focused 35- to 44-year-old category.
TRIATHLON TRAINING O
fficial figures from the Brit- ish Triathlon Federation – the sport’s national governing body (NGB) – suggest a large
Driving loyalty Although triathlon is an outdoor sport, training lends itself well to a club setting. Triathletes need to train in indoor pools and can benefit from indoor cycling ses- sions and running training on a track or treadmill. Outdoor bike and run groups also need a base, as do existing local triathlon clubs, which are often keen to partner with facilities that have a pool. According to Mark Barfield, director
of development at British Triathlon and director of operations at Triathlon Eng- land: “Operators can offer their facility as a meeting point for bike and run ses- sions and, if they have a pool, that’s an obvious benefit. Access to pool time is, he says, always an issue for triathletes.
“Offering sessions across any combina- tion of the swim/bike/run trio will attract those interested in triathlons. “Additionally, operators could use
strength and conditioning sessions, Spinning and pilates as a draw. Triath- letes are a very dynamic group of people – typically ABC1s – who are willing to em- brace any new idea which will help them perform better.” For those not yet involved in triathlon,
to whom it can be a daunting prospect, offering a first step within the familiar surroundings of their existing leisure cen- tre or health club removes the pressure of committing to an event or joining a triathlon club as a newcomer. This can help build confidence and a sense of community – key to the success of an in- club triathlon club. Operators across the country are
Outdoor bike and run groups need a base, as do existing triathlon clubs who are often keen to partner up
Not all clubs are able to offer a pool as part of a triathlon training programme, but those who can stand to benefit
already grasping the opportunities presented by the public’s passion for triathlon. Barfield has spearheaded a triathlon partnership with David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) and is keen to partner with any operators who want to tap into tri- athlon. “By supporting the development of in-club triathlon clubs, we can gener- ate new training environments and the operators can attract new participants,” he explains. “The initiative with DLL is still in its infancy, but anecdotal evidence suggests that clients will use the gym more often and are more likely to renew
66 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012
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