The Mornington Peninsula is now home to one of our fastest growing sports, with Frankston now a training and peak performance base for Victorian triathlon.
Sports Minister James Merlino today visited Frankston’s Monash Campus to announce a new training base and administrative headquarters to be based at the university.
Joining Member for Frankston Alistair Harkness, Mr Merlino officially opened Triathlon Victoria’s new headquarters and launched the 2009-2010 Triathlon season.“This new alliance will give clubs and athletes in the sport access to Monash University’s complete fitness services.”
“Victorians love their sport and with more than 56,000 athletes competing in triathlon each year, it continues to go from strength to strength,” Mr Merlino said.
“The sport is booming with an eight per cent annual growth rate, and many triathletes are active also in the component sports – cycling, swimming and running.
“This new alliance will give clubs and athletes in the sport access to Monash University’s complete fitness services not only in Frankston, but also throughout Monash’s six Victorian based campuses.”
The move to Frankston is part of Triathlon Victoria’s new three-year alliance with Monash University to help develop even more pathways for the sport by creating study opportunities for developing elite duathletes and triathletes.
Athletes will also be able to benefit from Monash tertiary courses and high performance programs with a focus towards building a life long career in the sport.
“The Triathlon Victoria and Monash partnership will give rising local stars, including recent 2009 Under-23 World Triathlon Championship third place getter Madeleine Oldfield, an edge in season 2009-2010 and beyond as they prepare for the 2012 London Olympics,” Mr Merlino said.
“It’s not just elite triathletes that will benefit, but competitors from schools in the region will be able to incorporate the new Monash Frankston base and other campus facilities and opportunities into their training and development.”
Triathlon Victoria has made outstanding contributions to triathlon in Victoria, promoting the sport and raising its profile over the years via school programs through to elite development, as well as providing casual recreation opportunities.
Mr Harkness said the Victorian Government had contributed $222,000 to Triathlon Victoria through programs such as State Sporting Association Grants.
“The new Frankston Monash base will further boost the growing popularity and demand for the sport and give local competitors, schools and clubs more opportunities to get involved,” Mr Harkness said.
“The Monash University and Triathlon Victoria partnership provides a range of benefits and provides triathletes with an edge in national competitions.”