Volunteers are the backbone of our sport, whether it’s setting up events, coaching, officiating or helping organise club sessions, we wouldn’t have triathlon without them.
Here look at some of the volunteers who won awards at through their home nations.
Welsh Triathlon Volunteer of the Year – Jayne Cox
Jayne Cox was named Welsh Triathlon’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year for her commitment to Celtic Tri Club. A valued member of her club, she is a massive help to the club’s junior members, helping organise them and their activities. For a number of years she’s organised the junior cross-country section, working hard before, during and after the race. She sends all the information out prior to race day and helps answer any incoming questions.
On a race day, she’s the first to arrive and the last to leave and has everything covered. She sets up the club HQ, collects race numbers for each athlete, organises course recce and, just in case, carries spare triathlon kit.
Her support isn’t just about a race day though, she has also organised a Spikes Swap Shop where juniors who have outgrown their spikes can recycle them and pass them onto other athletes.
Triathlon England Volunteer of the Year – Sharon Griffin
Sharon Griffin is the Triathlon England 2023 Volunteer of the Year. Sharon is a vital part of Team Phoenix initiative, which helps women recovering from cancer use triathlon to aid their recovery through fitness and a supportive community.
As well as helping recruit cohorts for the programme, she is now a level one coach with Medway Tri Club and helps create plans for members of the programme and puts on extra sessions such as yoga, basket weaving and cycling to help them build their confidence and a sense of community.
She helps them complete their first triathlon and continues to support them beyond this goal, with many of the women she has helped becoming members of Medway Tri club and continuing to work with Sharon to stay fit and be part of the community.
Triathlon Scotland Club Spirit Award - Bronagh Wishart
Triathlon Scotland’s Club Spirit Award was won by Bronagh Wishart. Bronagh was instrumental in the creation of Nevis Triathlon Club, helping people in Lochaber access the sport of triathlon. In that time, she has played a key role in securing sponsorship to help the club become financially stable and has given up countless hours to plan and deliver high quality sessions for the club’s members no matter their ability levels.
She’s also supported women to get involved in the sport, 72% of Nevis Triathlon Club’s members and over 50% of the club’s committee are female. Bronagh’s commitment to the club has only grown during her time with the club and she took on the role of Chair for 2023-24.
Inspired by our volunteer award winners? You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in triathlon here. Alternatively, find your local club here.
