The Oceania Triathlon Union and the PNG Triathlon Association held a Community/Technical course in Port Moresby conducted by ITU Facilitator Jacqui Kenny (Aus) on Thursday – Friday August 22 – 23, 2013. This was run in conjunction with an ITU Coaching course lead by Australian coach Peter Clifford with athletes from PNG, the Solomon Islands and Fiji. Athletes participated in both theory and practical sessions that involved cycling and transition training, run drills and open water swimming techniques . The Technical Officials joined in the practical sessions supporting the athletes and gaining experience on the field of play prior to the triathlon being held on the Saturday. Officiating theory was covered in classroom sessions at the Royal PNG Yacht Club.
The PNG Technical Team with Race Director Stephen Damien (far right) at the Opening of the Pacific Triathlon and
Cycling Championships on Friday Aug 23rd.
Eight participants from PNG completed the technical training and 15 athletes were put through their paces. Course participant, Technical Official Terence Tuohik, a teacher in Wewak can now see the opportunity of running junior aquathlons on the school grounds with the recent addition of a swimming pool to the school in 2011. All participants were excited about their involvement in the event on the weekend and the upcoming 2015 Pacific Games.
The 2013 Pacific Island Cycling and Triathlon Championships was formerly opened by Annette Coppola, President of the PNG Triathlon Association and Peter Stewart, CEO of the 2015 Pacific Games. The following day over 50 athletes participated in 3 events, a super sprint, a sprint and a standard distance event. The technical officials also gained valuable experience putting their skills into practice on the day.
ITU coaching and technical courses play a key role in the continued development of triathlon throughout Oceania. The focus of the technical/community course is to share knowledge of how to conduct local events to build the sport in their country while building the skills base of local officials. As a follow on, the second day of the course looked beyond local events and towards the 2015 Pacific Games where triathlon will be a competition sport.
Both Peter and Jacqui are very encouraged and enthusiastic with the potential of both the athletes and officials in this region and the opportunity for their continued growth and development.
From Left to Right: Terence, Marie, Shanelle, Kabua, Jacqui, Morah, Leah, Joey and Lynette
under the first every gantry to be used in a triathlon in PNG
