Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER receiving another vote of confidence to continue as Triathlon Zimbabwe president, Ross O’Donoghue says one of the priority areas for the association is junior development and retaining the talent.
Triathlon Zimbabwe had their annual general meeting on Saturday at Old Georgians Sports Club, during which O’Donoghue and the rest of the board members — vice president Pamela Fulton, treasurer Rob Goddard and fourth member Kevin Nicholson — retained their posts.
They were the only nominees going into Saturday’s meeting for the respective posts and it was a matter of making it official.
“One of our main focuses as triathlon is our juniors. You have got to have juniors to have good seniors.
“It’s (now time) for us to try and work out how we keep the good juniors competing in triathlon. Once they move off to university, they often don’t continue with triathlon.”
Some of the initiatives they have put in place include the Schools Series to try and boost the numbers.
“So, it’s to try and fill the gap. Our Under-19, our Under-23 categories are our focus for us at the elite level. But then obviously our juniors, our Schools Series.
“We had a great Schools Series this last season. We had nearly 300 athletes at the three events.
“So, we are hoping to grow that. There’s so much that we can do. It’s about resources, time and money,” said O’Donoghue.
Triathlon Zimbabwe also amended their constitution to extend the term of office for the executive from one year to four years.
The Triathlon Zimbabwe president said the changes are important for continuity, and believes it will allow them to plan and work towards having a representative at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“It gives continuity to plans and decisions made to try and promote our sport.
“It was also suggested that the secretary general will also sit for four years.
“So, we are going to have a great team where we can really focus on LA28 and we can implement processes and procedures, which will enable our athletes to hopefully get to LA28.
“Now we are in the process of submitting that to SRC (Sports and Recreation Commission).
“But these amendments were a suggestion from SRC, so I am sure that they will be accepted,” said O’Donoghue.
The secretary general is appointed by the board.
Tammy Benade is the secretary general at the moment.
The board is expected to continue with discussions around having their own facilities, possible partnerships to make it a reality as well as improving their coaching and administration.
“So, I think we need to sit down as a board. Obviously, running any national federation in this country has financial challenges to it.
“And a lot of our focus has been year-to-year focus, like can we get through this season . . . We need to sit down as a board and come up with our four-year plan, our road to Los Angeles 2028, and look longer term than just one season.
Fulton said getting another term in office is a sign of confidence from Triathlon Zimbabwe members.
“Well, I think it was actually really good in that the same board had been appointed again.
“There were no other nominations, which therefore means that the general Triathlon Zimbabwe supporters were happy with the way the season followed.
“And they trust us, which is really good,” said Fulton.
