Academy triathletes chosen in State development squads
The strength of junior triathlon talent in northern NSW continues to grow with the recent announcement that three North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) athletes have gained selection into Triathlon NSW (TNSW) State development squads.
Rachel Brown (Alstonville) and Joseph Lampe (Lennox Head) were this week announced as members of the 2006/2007 Triathlon NSW Under-23/ITU Junior Squad, while Rhys Williams (Port Macquarie) was selected into the 2006/ 2007 Triathlon NSW Junior Development Squad.
Courtney Gilfillan (The Channon), who has until recently been training on the Gold Coast, also gained selection in the Under-23/UTI squad. It hoped that she will accept an invitation join the NCAS squad and continue her training within the region.
“With only 13 athletes selected into the squads from across NSW, the inclusion of the five North Coast athletes reflects the strength of development for triathlon in the region,” the NCAS said.
“The awarding of an NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) triathlon scholarship to NCAS athlete Clayton Fettell (Alstonville) late last year also reflects the growing success of the program.”
Head coach Justin Drew said: “The goal for each NCAS triathlete is to obtain the ‘next step’ selection appropriate to their current stage of development.”
The NCAS says Ballina RSL Club, as sponsor of the NCAS triathlon program since 2002, has been an underlying contributor to each athlete’s development and success.
“Over the last 12 months, Ballina RSL’s funding through its Community Development Expenditure Scheme obligations, has been used to subsidise NCAS triathletes’ travel, accommodation and entry costs for triathlons in Hobart, Geelong, Sydney and Noosa Heads, as well as the live-in NCAS camps held locally at the NSW Sport and Recreation Centre at Lake Ainsworth,” the academy said.
Selections for the Ballina RSL Club 2006-07 NCAS triathlon squad will take place in August.
