Each year, we recognise the people within our sport that give their free time, passion, and energy to developing triathlon within their communities. The work of these wonderful volunteers is invaluable. The majority of sports would not exist without them, and triathlon is no different. Recognising and rewarding the volunteers by way of our workforce awards is one of our ways to say thank you for all the hard work they put in year after year.
In October 2022 the workforce award nominations opened and below is a list of our 2022 award winners.
Volunteer of the year 2022
Andrea Griffiths (Swansea Vale Tri)
We are delighted to award Andrea with our volunteer of the year award 2022. Andrea shows huge commitment to her voluntary role at Swansea Vale, she’s passionate about helping the new athletes who come into the club and help them begin their triathlon journey. What sets Andrea apart is someone who will go that extra mile, extra shout out and extra message on the day of the race to wish you luck and see how you got on. Swansea Vale is incredibly lucky of the time she gives to support and she has encouraged so much positivity in the club. She is always there to offer advice.
Coach of the year 2022
Dewi Jones (Dreigiau Dwyfor)
Dewi inspires the young members to understand what they can work towards and achieve. This inspiration comes from clear communication and thoughtful competitiveness. He understands what their capabilities are, and knows how to constructively push them towards improvement, supporting them all. Dewi prepares the schedule of weekly activities and shares his experience and supports other coaches. The young members are so proud to be wearing the club logo thanks to Dewi who shares with us information about competitions or events that the members can participate in and there is always a good turnout. This shows that the club is more than just a weekly training session. Dewi works hard to make sure that we have the best opportunities and experiences. We are very lucky to have him!!
Technical Official of the year 2022
David Perry (Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club)
Congratulations to David Perry for being awarded Technical Official of the Year 2022. David is a great ambassador for Officiating in Wales. Dave is an inspiration, always helpful, always officiating with a smile on his face and with some sound advice for nervous people. The participants always smile when they see him officiating!
Sustainability award 2022
Always Aim High Events
Always Aim High put sustainability at the heart of their events, and they are committed to reducing their impact on the environment. They deliver responsible events, encourage suppliers and athletes to also be aware of their impact on the environment. This is their key ethos and over the last few years they have introduced some exciting environmental initiatives such as Tees For Trees - offer an option to plant a tree in replacement of an event T-shirt, Cupless Races - big push on reducing bottled plastic and any cups used are recycled Local slate off cuts used for finishers medals, NO littering policy, athletes DQ'd if they are caught littering. With Director Nigel part of the Sustainability Commission, we think Always Aim High are doing a fantastic job of educating anyone that comes to race or spectate at their events, spreading the word and doing their bit for the environment.
Event of the year 2022
TATA Steelman
The race starts with a lake swim before heading out on a four lap bike course before returning and completing two laps of the lake for the run. If you're looking for a PB then this is the course for you! The events is accessible to all and Inclusive with positive vibes all day. Tata is a great event well organised, great for all abilities whether that be new to triathlon or experienced and the encoragement & support on course is amazing. Make sure you sign up straight away as it gets full quickly!
Inclusivity award 2022
Justin Smith (Merthyr Triathlon Club)
Congratulations to Justin Smith, chair of Merthyr Triathlon club for winning our inclusivity award for 2022. Justin has gone to great lengths this year to ensure that club members and anyone within the local community no matter what ability or previous experience has the chance to take part in triathlon and multi-sport activity. Justin’s attitude towards inclusivity has shown great leadership in highlighting just how inclusive triathlon is by adapting sessions and meeting the needs of members Well done, Justin and thank you for being such a great role model for ensuring that triathlon in Wales is as inclusive as it can be.
Club of the year 2022
Porthcawl Triathlon Club
The Tridents have gone from strength to strength. Porthcawl have a special community of athletes and the club is offering opportunities to swim, bike and run to all ages and abilities. The support within the club from coaches, committee, activators, and ambassadors is what make the club so special. The race day take overs and support are the best around and we support and encourage everyone taking part in our sport. Porthcawl Tri Club is a real family feel.
Outstanding Contribution to Triathlon 2022
Noelwyn Daniel ( Healthy Life activities)
Noelwyn and the team at Healthy Life Activities offers the largest diversity of mass sports participation events in Carmarthenshire. Their events cater for individuals of all abilities, age and allow participants to set their own challenges. Whatever the challenge they set themself, Healthy Life Activities have an event to suit you and your family and theyoffer great value for money
With 154 events orgainsed over the last 24 years ( no events staged in 2020 due to Covid19) They are also one of the most experienced organising teams and ensure that their events are organised with the athlete at the centre.
Healthy Life Activities also offer plenty of opportunity for children to participate in their events and they believe in investing time and effort to ensure as many children take part in their events.
All the races are held in the County of Carmarthenshire, where you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Llanelli coastline or experience the amazing agricultural landscape of the Towy Valley. The coal mines have long closed in the Amman Valley but this old industrial valley provides the backdrop for the Novice Triathlon which is a great race for those who have never experienced the thrill of taking part in a Triathlon before.
As a non profit organisation Healthy Life activities differ from many other event management organisations as they can focus on donating proceeds back to the local community. Noelwyn and the team have donated over £138,261. And therefore would encourage you to give one of our many events a go and as well as enjoying the challenge you will have completed you can also take great satisfaction that you have also given something back to the local community.
Noelwyn also supports the development of British Triathlon and Home Nations athletes by hosting the British Triathlon Super series in which Great Britain’s best pathway athletes compete. The event, part of the Llanelli Multisport Festival, is centred around North Dock, Llanelli, where the swim takes place, before athletes will transition onto a closed road circuit for the bike leg and then a run to the finish line via a loop along the Millennium Coastal Path.
Junior, senior and paratri athletes compete over the sprint distance of a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run in Llanelli, with Youth athletes taking on the shorter super sprint distance of a 375m swim, 12km bike and 2.5km run.
Included in the multisport weekend is the Welsh Junior race series and the televised Welsh Triathlon Super Series.
About Noelwyn
Noelwyn has always been a keen sportsman and has taken great pride in keeping himself as fit and healthy as possible. Although rugby dominated his early sporting years through school and then with Felinfoel RFC, he was also a keen golfer, enjoyed swimming and in 1982 at the age of 14 I took part in the Cardiff Western Mail Marathon. The mid eighties saw the boom in road races and especially 10km Fun Run’s and Half Marathon’s which he enjoyed taking part in. Triathlon was also being introduced into Great Britain and he participated in my first ever Triathlon in Brecon in 1989. He has been fortunate enough to race every year since on the Triathlon across the Country and abroad and can proudly boast to have completed ELEVEN Ironman Challenges with the latest one being Portugal 2022. He was also able to complete Ironman Barcelona with his wife Sharon Daniel
As we entered a new Millennium he decided it was time to put something back into the sport which he had taken so much enjoyment and pleasure from competing in over the years and continue to do so. He was also keen to encourage children to take up the sport of Triathlon and to also provide a platform for adults of all ages and abilities to participate in events that would encourage them to lead a healthy lifestyle.
He has always believed that it’s easier to train for an event or a new challenge and to have that as a motivator to encourage you to get those trainers on and keep fit. Over the years he have been supported by a dedicated team of family members, friends and volunteers, together they have organised 154 races over the last 24 years. These races have attracted thousands of runners/ triathletes and have helped raise thousands of pounds for various charities and local Community groups.
You can read more HERE about the events that have been organised over the past 24 years
