UWTSD Triathlon Community helps staff and students stay motivated ahead of two-day event

A training community has been set up to motivate and support university participants taking part in the UWTSD Swansea Triathlon in SA1 on May 28 and 29.

The communication group also ensures motivational messages and tips on training can be shared and staff and students are also being encouraged to take part in activities in the lead up to the event.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is continuing its partnership with Activity Wales Events (AWE) to provide opportunities for students from a range of disciplines to be actively involved in the preparation for one of the city’s premier sporting events.

The UWTSD Swansea Triathlon is one of the leading sprint distance triathlons in the country and is televised through AWE’s media partners Channel 4 and Eurosport. This unique event captures the unrivalled city centre buzz as well as the stunning coastal scenery along its diverse route which includes the University’s multi-million-pound development at SA1 Swansea Waterfront.

It is just one in a number of high-profile sporting events being supported by the University this year. UWTSD is sponsoring the IRONKIDS Wales event on September 10 as part of its collaborative partnership with IRONMAN Wales.

The University is also supporting the first-ever stand-alone World Triathlon Para Series event in Swansea on Saturday, August 6, and the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea triathlon, which will take place on Sunday, August 7.

As with all the events being supported by the University, The UWTSD Swansea Triathlon presents a fantastic opportunity for students across all UWTSD campuses to gain real-life work experience. Having a team of staff and students entering the triathlon has provided opportunities for students on a range of sport-related courses to have experience of working with clients. Sport and Exercise Science students have tested and trained clients, whilst Sport and Exercise Therapy students have provided massage and injury support.

UWTSD’s Geraint Forster, Programme Director of BSc Sport and Exercise Science said: “We are always looking to embed opportunities to develop professional competencies within our courses. Having a team of staff and students striving for a collective goal provides real-world clients for our students to hone their skills on and apply their theoretical knowledge into practice.

“The partnership with Activity Wales Events also provides research opportunities for staff as well as curriculum development in the areas of physical literacy, health and exercise which is part of the University’s strategy of collaborating with business and industry in order to provide tangible benefits to the student experience”.

Julie Jones, UWTSD’s HR Business partner is looking forward to taking part in her first triathlon. She said: “I run a lot and have for many years but not as part of a group – just long solo runs, sometimes accompanied by my husband.  I am training for my 13^th marathon – the Great Welsh marathon on 10 April and have run marathons in many lovely cities, New York, Athens, Venice, Paris, and Amsterdam.

“I started swimming properly in December and have just had 2 rides on my bike so feel like a complete beginner on the bike and in the pool.  Compared to running, a tri seems quite complicated – tri-suits, wetsuits, cleats, transitions, and brick runs are all new things I am trying to understand!

“I am really looking forward to being part of a team and taking part for UWTSD and doing something different.”

Matthew Evans, CEO of Activity Wales said: “UWTSD is one of the leading delivery partners in the world of Sport, Health and Outdoor Education within Wales.  The partnership has not only seen the University being able to deliver vocational experiences around the country’s leading sprint distance triathlon, but also for the event itself, Swansea as a city destination and the University to be broadcast to over 100 countries worldwide in a very unique television opportunity.  Our team feel very privileged to be able to work with the students on a number of creative and innovative projects.”

Professor Ian Walsh, Provost of UWTSD’s Swansea and Cardiff campuses said: “The University is pleased to continue its support of the Swansea Triathlon. This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a major sporting event in the heart of the city centre where we have campuses.  This event enables the University to collaborate with a key partner to deliver tangible benefits to the student experience but also it enables us to support an event which aims to boost economic activity in Swansea by attracting competitors and visitors to the city.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Swyddog Gweithredol Cysylltiadau â’r Wasg a’r Cyfryngau

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

Mobile: 07384 467071

Email: Rebecca.Davies@uwtsd.ac.uk