When Her Dreams Nearly Died: How a Community Rallied to Save Youth Triathlon
Imagine being 16 years old, with dreams of sporting glory lighting up your future, only to see your training club close its doors forever. For Eve Baker, this nightmare became a reality when Tri Stars Conwy—her cherished junior triathlon club—was forced to shut down after years of struggle. What followed was a story that would not only transform one young athlete’s future but also reshape an entire community’s approach to youth sports.
Across the UK, youth sports programs face unprecedented challenges. Volunteer shortages, funding gaps, and administrative burdens threaten to extinguish sporting dreams before they even begin. But Eve’s story reveals a proven blueprint that any community sports club can follow to not only rescue youth programs but also grow stronger in the process.
This remarkable turnaround took place in North Wales, where GOG Triathlon Club—once an adults-only organization—opened its doors to young athletes for the first time. With strategic support from National Lottery funding through Sport Wales, they didn’t just save Eve’s dreams; they created a thriving program that increased their membership by 50%.
The Crisis: When Youth Sports Programs Disappear
For six-year-old Eve Baker, joining Tri Stars Triathlon Club with her brother was the beginning of a love affair with sport. “I was hooked from the start,” she recalls, remembering those early days of discovering the unique challenge of swim-bike-run competition.
But behind the scenes, Tri Stars was fighting a losing battle that's all too familiar in community sports. With only two volunteers managing everything—from coaching to administration, equipment to safety protocols—the club was stretched beyond its breaking point. Despite their dedication and the young athletes’ enthusiasm, the mathematics of volunteer burnout proved insurmountable.
When Tri Stars finally closed its doors, Eve and her teammates faced a devastating reality: there was nowhere else to train. For these young athletes, it wasn’t just about losing a hobby—it was about watching their sporting futures disappear overnight.
The ripple effect of youth club closures extends far beyond individual disappointment. When programs fold, communities lose:
- Safe spaces for young people to develop physically and mentally
- Pathways to elite sport for talented athletes
- Social connections that build stronger neighborhoods
- Health and wellness opportunities during crucial developmental years
The closure of Tri Stars represented a crisis point that required immediate community action—or risk losing an entire generation of potential triathletes in North Wales.
The Rescue Plan: How GOG Triathlon Club Stepped Up
GOG Triathlon Club faced a pivotal decision. As an established adults-only organization, they had built their identity around serving experienced athletes in a focused environment. Opening their doors to juniors would mean fundamentally changing who they were as a club.
But when young talent was slipping away across their community, the choice became clear.
Phase 1: Community Engagement
The transformation began with honest conversation. Club leadership organized meetings with parents of displaced young athletes, laying out exactly what would be needed to make youth programming successful:
- More qualified coaches to handle the unique needs of junior athletes
- Additional volunteer helpers to manage the increased complexity of sessions
- Better equipment designed specifically for young triathletes
The response was immediate and overwhelming. “Parents’ hands shot up,” recalls one organizer. “They were ready to help.” This parent buy-in became the foundation of everything that followed—proving that communities will rally when given clear expectations and meaningful ways to contribute.
Phase 2: Strategic Funding Application
With volunteer commitment secured, GOG turned to the National Lottery’s Be Active Wales Fund through Sport Wales. Their application was strategic and specific, requesting over £4,000 to address three critical areas:
- Equipment investment: Essential training gear including fins, paddles, and training cones designed for junior athletes
- Coach development: Funding to train four new qualified coaches specifically for youth programming
- Support structure: Training for four additional swim-bike-run leaders to assist during sessions
The funding application succeeded because it demonstrated clear community need, volunteer commitment, and a realistic plan for sustainable growth.
Building the Foundation: Training and Infrastructure
With funding secured, GOG embarked on the crucial work of building professional infrastructure for their youth program. This wasn’t simply about adding junior sessions to their existing schedule—it required developing entirely new capabilities.
Coach Development Program
The club invested heavily in proper qualifications, recognizing that working with young athletes requires specialized skills beyond general triathlon knowledge. Their comprehensive training program produced:
- Four newly qualified coaches with youth-specific certifications
- Four swim-bike-run leaders trained to provide additional support during sessions
- Ongoing professional development to maintain high standards
This investment in human capital proved essential. As Eve Baker notes about her current coaching experience: “They’ve really helped me to develop. They’ve improved my swimming stroke, as well as little details like my tumble turn. The different training methods have made a big difference to me.”
Equipment Investment Strategy
The National Lottery funding enabled strategic equipment purchases that made an immediate impact on training quality. Rather than simply buying the cheapest options available, GOG invested in:
- Training-specific equipment: Fins and paddles designed for skill development rather than competition
- Safety-first priorities: Equipment that prioritized athlete welfare in all conditions
- Scalable solutions: Gear that could accommodate growing participation numbers
This thoughtful approach to equipment investment demonstrated the club’s commitment to long-term program success rather than quick fixes.
The Power of Role Models: Female Leadership in Action
Perhaps the most transformative aspect of GOG’s youth program has been the caliber of female coaching leadership. Eve and her teammates train under three remarkable role models who bring both technical expertise and inspirational achievement:
- Rhian Roxburgh serves as Head Coach, bringing her experience as a European and World Age Group Champion. Her leadership sets the technical and motivational tone for the entire program.
- Debs Jones contributes as Welsh Champion across sprint, standard, middle, and full distance categories in the 60+ age group—proving that excellence in triathlon spans all life stages.
- Vicky Cole adds her expertise as World Age Group Aquathlon Champion, demonstrating the breadth of multi-sport achievement possible within the triathlon family.
These coaches represent more than technical instruction—they embody the possibilities that young female athletes like Eve can envision for their own futures. In a sport where female participation has historically lagged behind male involvement, having strong female role models becomes crucial for inspiring the next generation.
The impact extends beyond skill development. As Dave Baker, Eve’s father, observes: “If it wasn’t for GOG Triathlon Club and the National Lottery, Eve wouldn’t have been able to carry on. There are an awful lot of young athletes who just wouldn’t have had the chance to train, compete and be inspired.”
Measuring Success: Results That Matter
Two years after GOG’s transformation from adults-only to inclusive programming, the results speak for themselves. The club has experienced 50% membership growth—a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the power of opening doors to new participants.
But the quantifiable growth tells only part of the story. Simon Roxburgh from GOG Triathlon Club reflects on the broader impact: “When we took on the juniors as part of GOG Triathlon Club, we knew we needed to train up coaches and assistants, and we also needed equipment. The National Lottery and Sport Wales came to our rescue, and now the club is thriving.”
The qualitative improvements are equally impressive:
- Enhanced athlete development: Young triathletes are receiving higher-quality coaching and technical instruction
- Increased confidence: Athletes report greater self-assurance both in sport and daily life
- Community connections: Families have formed lasting relationships through shared sporting experiences
- Pathway preservation: Talented athletes like Eve can continue pursuing their dreams without geographic barriers
Eve’s personal transformation exemplifies these broader benefits. From a devastated young athlete facing the end of her sporting journey, she has become a confident competitor surrounded by world-class role models and supported by a thriving club community.
The Blueprint for Replication
GOG Triathlon Club’s success story provides a clear roadmap that other sports organizations can follow. The key elements of their transformation include:
1. Honest Community Assessment
- Evaluate existing volunteer capacity and willingness to expand
- Identify specific community needs and gaps in youth programming
- Engage parents early with clear expectations and opportunities for involvement
2. Strategic Funding Approach
- Research available funding sources (such as the Be Active Wales Fund)
- Develop specific, realistic budget proposals that address genuine needs
- Demonstrate community commitment and long-term sustainability planning
3. Professional Development Investment
- Prioritize proper coaching qualifications for youth-specific programming
- Create support structures through additional leader training
- Maintain ongoing professional development to ensure high standards
4. Equipment and Infrastructure
- Make strategic purchases that prioritize safety and skill development
- Plan for scalable solutions that can accommodate growth
- Balance quality with budget constraints through careful prioritization
5. Role Model Recruitment
- Seek coaches who can inspire as well as instruct
- Prioritize diverse representation that reflects your community
- Leverage existing club expertise while adding youth-specific capabilities
A Future Worth Fighting For
What began as a rescue mission for displaced young athletes has evolved into something far more
What is the role of the National Lottery in supporting Welsh sports?
The National Lottery plays a crucial role in supporting Welsh sports by providing funding to clubs and athletes to help them train, compete, and develop. In the case of GOG Triathlon Club, the National Lottery provided over £4,000 which was used to buy new equipment and train coaches, ensuring young athletes like Eve Baker could continue their sporting journeys.
How did GOG Triathlon Club help junior athletes after their original club closed?
After the closure of Tri Stars Conwy, GOG Triathlon Club stepped in by opening its doors to junior athletes for the first time. They structured a program that included engaging with parents, recruiting more coaches and helpers, and obtaining better equipment through National Lottery funding. This allowed young athletes to continue training and competing.
Who are some of the female role models coaching at GOG Triathlon Club?
The coaching team at GOG Triathlon Club includes notable female role models such as Rhian Roxburgh, a European and World Age Group Champion; Debs Jones, a Welsh Champion across all triathlon distances in the 60+ age category; and Vicky Cole, a World Age Group Aquathlon Champion. These coaches inspire and lead the juniors by example.
How can clubs benefit from the Be Active Wales Fund?
Clubs looking to start or expand sections, such as junior girls’ programs, can benefit from the Be Active Wales Fund. This fund provides financial assistance to clubs, enabling them to create more opportunities for participation in sports and to build strong, sustainable sports environments.
Source: https://www.sport.wales/media-centre/latest-news/triathlon-club-saved-sporting-dreams/
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