Wanganui scoops national sporting event: ‘NZ Schools Triathlon Championships’

Wanganui is for the first time to have the privilege of hosting the annual ‘NZ Schools Triathlon Championships’ going ahead in March 2017 – thanks to a successful bid made by Sport Whanganui.

The good news comes as the event’s governing body, Triathlon New Zealand (Tri NZ), this week gave Sport Whanganui the green light to announce Wanganui’s success at being selected as the 2017 host. Tri NZ chose the city out of the numerous bids it received earlier this year following its nationwide call-out.

The Championships – which feature four key events and are being held through a partnership between Sport Whanganui, Whanganui Triathlon Club and Tri NZ – are set to go ahead over two days in March 2017.

Sport Whanganui’s CEO Danny Jonas says: “All parties involved are hugely excited at the opportunity to host this national sporting event and we’d like to express our sincere thanks to the many groups that supported us during the comprehensive proposal process.

“These Championships are expected to attract around 600 athletes from secondary schools across New Zealand – and they’ll be bringing their coaches, families, friends and supporters along with them. Not only will the event act to boost local pride through enabling our community to experience another great national event, but it will also foster key national and local relationships and enable us to showcase our city and region – along with its sporting achievements and infrastructure – on national levels.”

Tri NZ’s CEO Craig Waugh says he has no doubt Wanganui will host a successful 2017 Championships: “This is fast becoming one of our pinnacle events here in New Zealand and

it’s growing and developing year upon year. The numbers it attracts make it one of the largest national events on the school sports calendar and the prestige associated with the winning titles is significant, with the list of past winners being an impressive one.”

“Regional centres have proven in recent years they are best suited to successfully hosting the event and Gisborne and Taupo have built on this. We have no doubt Wanganui will provide excellent infrastructure, accommodation and a safe and fair course for all competitors. It’s also clear the region will get totally behind the event and deliver a great experience for everyone involved.”

The Championships will feature an Open Water Swim and Duathlon (taking place at Lake Wiritoa), and an Individual Triathlon and Team TAG Sprint Triathlon, which will be based at Whanganui Multisport and Triathlon Clubrooms, with the swim going ahead in the Whanganui River, the cycling along Anzac Parade and the run along the riverside. The Championships are an age-group event which will cater for U12, U13, U14, U16 and U19 athletes and paratriathletes.

Sport Whanganui is a charitable trust working to develop, build and promote sport in the Whanganui, Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts. To find out more about Sport Whanganui and its work, visit: www.sportwhanganui.co.nz

Tri NZ is New Zealand’s non-profit governing body for the sports of triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and off-road triathlon. The organisation was established in the 1980’s and is the official sanctioning body for triathlon events and national championships across all disciplines, bringing together thousands of athletes, volunteers, technical officials and spectators. To find out more about Tri NZ and its work, visit: https://triathlon.kiwi/

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