This week the BTF awarded Geoff the National Children’s Coach of the Year. This is a well deserved award and a great honour for WaldenTRI.

Geoff pictured with elite winner Helen Jenkins

Having recently received the Eastern Region Children’s Coach Award an independent panel selected Geoff  from the six regional winners for the prestigious national award.
In 2009, Geoff successfully piloted the junior section with 25 children with the full backing of the club’s management team.

With no athletic or multisport opportunities for children in a largely rural area, Geoff established the Saturday morning junior triathlon club. Working with the Friends School in Saffron Walden and the County Sports Partnership he delivered a suitable venue, funding for equipment, a strong coaching platform and a linked training programme
Following the success of this pilot the club supported a full time junior activity known as WaldenJNR's.

Geoff’s formula of offering skills and technical training linked to fun has attracted eighty junior members from 7 years to 15 years. There is a growing waiting list.

Geoff also stimulated the importance of competition by organising a successful interclub triathlon with c.100 young athletes participating.

As a result many WaldenJNR members successfully competed in triathlons across the region during the summer.

It won’t be long before some of these young members will be challenging and competing with the seniors!

“WaldenTRI is very proud of your achievements Geoff”

(The presentation will be made at the BTF annual awards dinner on November 13th)