Mazda Recognises Success Of Grass-Roots Triathlon Training Programme

DARTFORD - August 14, 2008: Today Mazda announced the success of the young triathletes in its grass-roots triathlon training programme, run in partnership with the British Triathlon Federation (BTF), at the Mazda London Triathlon. Ten young people from the Mazda/BTF Talent Identification (TID) Programme competed in the Mazda London Triathlon, in the Elite, Junior Elite and Youth Super Sprint races, with many achieving podium positions.

Thomas Bishop took first place in the Male Junior Elite competition, while James Adams came third. Talent Identification Programme triathletes also came first, second, third and fifth in the Female Youth Super Sprint, as well as second in the Male Youth Super Sprint. Matt Sharp, who is in his final year in the TID Programme, competed in the adult Male Elite race for the first time and came an impressive 21st out of 63.

“These are fantastic results and a real testament to the importance of the Talent Identification Programme in selecting and training the future stars of triathlon,” said Mark Cameron, marketing director for Mazda. “Each of these young people should feel extremely proud of their achievements in the Mazda London Triathlon and I look forward to watching them go from strength to strength over the next few years.”

One to watch for the future is Camilla Freeman, sister of elite triathlete Olly (currently in Beijing as reserve for the British Olympic triathlon team). Camilla won the Female Youth Super Sprint at the Mazda London Triathlon, beating her Talent ID team mate Lucy Hall, who came second, by one minute and seven seconds.

“Camilla is a very talented young triathlete who is following closely in the footsteps of her older brother, Olly,” explains James Tombs, commercial director for the BTF. “The Talent Identification Programme nurtures and develops aspiring stars of the sport, with the aims of raising the standard of Britain's long-term participation in major triathlon competitions, increasing the overall number of athletes reaching the pinnacle of the sport and hopefully improving Britain’s medal-winning potential at future major events. The success of the young people from the Programme in this year’s Mazda London Triathlon is a clear indication that we are well on our way to achieving those aims.”

Launched by Mazda and the BTF in September 2007, the TID Programme divides England into eleven regions: South West, South East, London, East, West Midlands, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside, North West and North East, and also incorporates Scotland and Wales

Each region is overseen by a BTF-accredited level 3 coach, all of whom are competing triathletes themselves. These coaches undertake a variety of scouting exercises in order to identify young people, aged 12 to 18, who they believe have the necessary talent across the three triathlon disciplines. Those selected are then provided with mentoring support and training advice, both individually and through the Mazda Regional Academies. The young people identified, who then fulfil particular performance criteria, are invited to attend National Training Camps.

“Mazda is committed to supporting triathlon from the grass-roots, through the Talent ID Programme, to the peak of the sport, through our sponsorship of elite triathletes Tim Don, Hollie Avil and Olly Freeman,” explains Mark Cameron. “I hope to see many of our young triathletes in the Programme reaching the very top of triathlon.”