The First 150 Questions to Triathlon Australia can be found here.

Triathlon Australia Draft racing calendar can be found HERE

Question 218, 8 September via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Coaches and Athletes are wondering when the National Performance Race calendar will be published. It is now September, and the continuous delays in publishing domestic racing calendars each year is making it very difficult for coaches to prepare athletes.

Members are wondering why there is not a minimum 12 month rolling calendar as other National Sporting Federations in Australia provide.

What a mess Triathlon Australia. Yet another fail by the National Performance Director - When will the worst leader in High Performance sport be removed?

Question 217, 6 September via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members have noticed a staffing reshuffle yet again with no role advertised publicly.

The recently appointed TA National Manager Coach Education (shuffled out of Tri NSW) has left that role and is now Performance Pathways and Athlete Development Manager. The old CEO of South Australia STTA has slipped into the unadvertised coaching role left vacant. Of course no experience nor application necessary.

What a mess Triathlon Australia.

Coaching development is one of the most fundamental roles in any sporting organisation and Triathlon Australia cannot even staff the role on a consistent basis. Is this why Triathlon coaches cannot progress in Australia past foundation level...or develop to performance level??

Will coaching development ever get off the ground at Triathlon Australia? Will Triathlon Australia keep skirting the issues and just reshuffle staff roles and pretend to be getting work done?

it is so obvious Triathlon Australia needs a full independent review.

Question 216, 5 September via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members have noticed another coach from the Triathlon Australia High Performance Program is celebrating non-Australian athlete success.

Why is this happening?

Why isn't the Australian triathlon program dedicated to Australian success?

Question 215, 4 September via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members watched the Valencia World Triathlon World Cup last night. Again it was a grim watch for Australian Triathlon fans.

Yesterday members asked Triathlon Australia again why the Triathlon Australia head coach has more international athletes than Australian Athletes.

Again today, members ask, given the results in Valencia - when will Australian Athletes be the focus? When will Australian Athletes be given the dedicated program for success? When will Triathlon Australia insist their head coach has a focus on Australian athletes?

While Australian athletes are outside the top 20 in the World Triathlon World Cup events, why on earth is the Triathlon Australia head coach not forced to focus on developing Australian Athletes?

What a mess Triathlon Australia. What a mess.

Question 214, 3 September via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members were wondering why the Australian head coach is still coaching internationals over Australian athletes.

Triathlon Australia - when will the Australian Triathlon program be dedicated to Australian success?

What a mess. What a rort. What a waste of Australian taxpayers money.

Question 213, 23 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members would like to know why Triathlon Australia do not offer Australian Triathletes the same courtesy Athletics Australia offers their athletes and coaches when it comes to selection policies.

Will Triathlon Australia provide an open forum to air questions around selection policies for major events with the TA Chair of Selection?

.........??????

Question 212, 22 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members reckon you waste this much money and cause this much damage at Triathlon Australia and you would be promoted to National Performance Director...

Triathlon Australia - why is he still there?

Question 211, 21 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members wonder why when a football coach fails for just one season the board immediately fires him, yet when the Triathlon Australia National Performance Director fails since his appointment over 5 years ago, the Triathlon Australia board just looks on.

In fact, Triathlon Australia rather than remove the problem continue to employ more staff around the failure to oversee his disastrous program. Wasting more money that should be allocated to athletes.

When will the failing leader of the failing High Performance Coaching team - The National Performance Director - be fired??

The current Triathlon Australia Board, President and CEO will forever be remembered as those who destroyed Triathlon in Australia.

Question 210, 17 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Is it true you recently sought to ban me from staying in any hotel Triathlon Australia staff stay in at a Triathlon event? This is apparently a world wide ban. Indefinitely. With no notification to me. This includes those hotels World Triathlon are actually footing the bill for and not Triathlon Australia (because the Triathlon Australia funding is spent on staff not athletes). Triathlon Australia - to even think you have this power shows your arrogance.

Does Triathlon Australia firstly think they can event implement a ban so stupid?

Secondly, does Triathlon Australia think that I even give the slightest toss what they think they can impose on me?

What a joke. How absurd. Your current CEO, President and Board of Directors will forever be remembered as those who destroyed the sport of Triathlon in Australia and tried to silence anyone who exposed their antics.

See you at the races.

Question 209, 15 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Will there be any World Triathlon World Cup or World Championship Series Events events in Australia as Triathlon NZ have planned?

Will Triathlon Australia organise racing opportunities for our Athletes - elite and para - or will Triathlon Australia continue to drive the sport into the ground in Australia?

Without racing opportunities our athletes have no opportunity to develop. Does Triathlon Australia even care about Australian athletes?

What a mess. Triathlon Australia, your current CEO, President and Board will forever be known as the group that screwed up Triathlon in Australia.

Question 208, 11 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members noticed another position has become vacant due to the most recent reshuffle of seats at Triathlon Australia.

The job of assistant to the failing High Performance program -

https://www.sportspeople.com.au/.../72742-high...

Working under the failing Triathlon Australia High performance Manager, this lucky individual will provide ’operational and administrative support to enable the achievement of TA High Performance Strategy outcomes and facilitate competition readiness and Winning When it Matters.’

Members ask - when TA HP Manager has destroyed Australian athletes ability to race at high performance levels and has completely destroyed pathways, why recruit an assistant to help perpetuate failure?? Just get rid of the problem, not entrench it further.

When will the National Performance Director leave?

What a mess.

Question 207, 6 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

As the Swansea leg of the World Triathlon para series takes place in Wales today, members ask why Triathlon Australia continues to ignore the Para Athletes.

At the recent Commonwealth Games there were 4 Australian Triathletes racing - 1 female and 3 male. Keeping in line with the appalling support of Para Athletes, only one athlete is categorised, despite a number of medals won.

Triathlon Australia - when will you properly support Para Athletes? When there is a category included in a major games, why does the Triathlon Australia Para Program not include and support those athletes properly leading into the games with categorisation?

Why is all the staff flown over - including exec board members - with no concern of cost, while the athletes are left without full financial support?

Triathlon Australia, why is the National Performance Director still in his position when he is constantly failing all our Australian Triathletes??

What a mess.

Comment 206, 4 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

It’s not just the triathlon world that is wondering what is going on at Triathlon Australia…Australian media and sport is too.

Question 205, 3 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members ask again, why is the Triathlon Australia head coach taking on more international athletes than Australian Athletes.

Another non-Australian athlete announced their inclusion in the squad last week.

Why is the head Australian coach allowed to prioritise other countries athletes over Australian Athletes when he is employed to as the Triathlon Australia Olympic Program Head Coach?

How does the Triathlon Australia National Performance Director allow this?

What a mess.

Why isn't the Australian triathlon program focussed on Australian success?

Question 204, 1 August via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members hope all the staff are enjoying the expensive trip to Birmingham, while athletes are told funding is low for athletes travel to races in 2022. Is the new CEO enjoying his first major games junket?

To quote the news reports following the team relay bronze ‘Once the nation to beat in triathlon, Australia has dropped away badly….

But after the disaster of the Tokyo Games, where the Australians were well off the pace, team boss Justin Drew says they are back on track.

“One of the things you have to look at is it’s okay to be ambitious,” Drew said.

“Why shouldn’t we be there? ‘

……Members reply with - Justin Drew everyone should be here but you. Your program is a disaster, from Gold to Bronze members ask - how is this ‘back on track’?

Only GBR broken down into their respective countries were at Birmingham from the leading Triathlon nations. So no full strength GBR. No USA, no France, no Germany, Spain or Italy….

When will positive change take place?

What and where is your ‘ambition’ you speak of when you have spent your tenure destroying a once dominant nation?

When will the Head Coach you appointed dedicate his program to Australian athletes and stop coaching internationals.

When will YOU - the National Performance Director be replaced so Australian Triathletes can perform to their best?

When will the new CEO care enough to make changes so Australia is back on top again?

What a mess Triathlon Australia.

Question 203, 23 July via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

As a failing National Sporting Federation you have not answered any members open questions (which are now over 200 in total).

Members ask, will TA supply members with pertinent details for state AGM’s regarding the appalling TA membership numbers… or will TA keep the information hidden until it’s too late for another year?

With a new CEO there’s an opportunity to be more transparent, does he wish to use that opportunity or continue to operate in the same way as the previously failing regime?

If TA truly believe in the new operating model, then back that belief and release the info for all members to reflect and digest it in time for the state AGM’s so members can adequately approach those who then represent them at national level.

Or will TA continue to hide and obfuscate.

What a mess TA.

Question 202, 18 July via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

While your governance of the sport destroys Triathlon in Australia, do you think you could learn how to actually spell Triathlon properly on your official website and media announcements….

Wow - what an appalling National Federation you are. I am sure Australian Swimming know how to spell swimming, AUS Cycling know how to spell cycling and Athletics Australia can spell athletics.

Triathlon Australia your incompetence is embarrassing.

Question 201, 17 July via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members following the Head Coach were amazed to see a recent post on socials…

With two paid Triathlon Australia coaches present (one taking the photo) members were wondering why firstly there are so many more international athletes than Australian athletes and why there are so few female athletes included in the program.

Why is the Australian High performance program supporting international athletes over Australians and why are women not equally involved?

What a sexist mess Triathlon Australia. What an un-Australian approach.

When will the National Performance Director overseeing this disaster leave?

Question 200, 16 July via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Coaches would like to know what they are paying for in the 2022-2023 membership year.

One coach is asking why Triathlon Australia's 'Find a coach' tool is not operational and has not been working for some time. Triathlon Australia was notified of this, yet its still not been rectified some months later.

Even Triathlon Australia doesn't see the value of athletes finding accredited Triathlon Australia coaches or athletes checking coaches credentials.

No support, no coach development....why be a Triathlon Australia accredited coach?

Triathlon Australia - what a mess.

Emma Carney response to TA Press Statement 7 July 2022

Emma Carney response below, to the TA statement made here.

Emma Carney Response -

TA Press Release:

On the advice of Sports Integrity Australia, Triathlon Australia recently entered into mediation with Emma Carney to discuss and resolve the issues Ms Carney has raised publicly. 

Emma Carney Response:

The facts are -  

·       TA failed to accept the jurisdiction of the National Sports Tribunal (NST) for mediation when Emma Carney applied to the NST in December 2021. 

·       In March 2022 TA did reluctantly request mediation when Sport Integrity Australia advised them to do so. 

·       This mediation was done simply to ‘tick a box’ by TA, was done under protest and forced TA to finally accept the jurisdiction of the NST. 

·       Since Mediation, TA have reneged on everything that was agreed and has continued to  bully athletes Emma Carney coaches, has removed athlete support for our best performing athlete, breached athlete agreements and left both Emma Carney and her athletes without support that was agreed to be there in mediation. 

·       On requesting resolution for her athletes, TA has again refused to accept the jurisdiction of the NST – this time Emma Carney applied for Arbitration, which would force a decision and resolution onto TA.  Of course, TA refused to attend.  TA do not want to be held accountable for anything.

TA Press Release:

Regrettably, this mediation was not successful. 

As a result, Ms Carney has been advised that her membership of our organisation has lapsed and she is no longer a registered member of TA. 

Emma Carney Response -

Emma Carney did not renew so Emma made the decision not to be a member. 

TA Press Release

She may continue to coach athletes in a private capacity

Emma Carney Response

TA has never supported Emma Carney’s coaching, this comment is irrelevant, because Emma has always coached under emmacarney.com.  Emma is a coach educator and facilitator with World Triathlon and contributes to the coach and athlete development programs with World Triathlon.

Emma Carney did not and does not work for Triathlon Australia in any capacity.

TA has no rights whatsoever in any decision Emma Carney makes personally.  

TA Press Release

and will not be entitled to automatic TA funding, recognition, access or support.  

Emma Carney Response

What is ‘…automatic funding…’. The real issue is that TA have refused to fund athletes coached by Emma Carney to races, including Paralympic Medallist Lauren Parker – current World Triathlon Champion and our Highest Categorised Triathlete in Australia.  This season, Lauren has won the Ironman World Championships in May, and only this weekend won the Montreal leg of the WPCS by the biggest margin of her career.  Lauren was prevented from racing the first leg of the World Triathlon series in Yokohama, because TA refused to allow Emma Carney to travel with her, and without help travelling Lauren cannot attend races.  This decision alone warrants an independent investigation of TA.

Why does TA penalise athletes and claim they are somehow penalising Emma Carney?  The funding TA distribute to athletes is less than 7% of all funding received, with over 93% going to staff and admin.  The support TA provides athletes is appalling. 

TA Press Release

Any athlete that she coaches must continue to follow the appropriate processes for athlete categorisation.

Emma Carney Response

Emma Carney’s athletes have.  TA have reneged on Athlete Agreements.

TA Press Release

We have clearly outlined that should she wish to be a member in the future and meet the terms and conditions presented at mediation, TA will consider her application for membership. 

Emma Carney Response

Perhaps TA could advise the terms and conditions so that Emma Carney and every TA member can be aware of how TA really operates.  TA has already stated above the mediation was not successful so just what is the point of this paragraph.

TA Press Release

Triathlon Australia places the safety and wellbeing of our athletes, staff and members at the centre of our decisions. While we welcome feedback and opinion from all our members, we believe it is important all members uphold our behaviours of unity, accountability, courage, enjoyment and inclusivity to foster a positive culture for the benefit of our sport. 

Emma Carney Response

Motherhood statement.   The sport is in its worst state ever.

If TA truly held these values, there would be no need to publicly criticise.  The truth is those running TA and sitting on boards are doing so for their own CV, not for the improvement of the sport.  The TA Lawyer meanwhile is keeping his income going by charging TA big fees for stupid antics like this press release to defend TA’s appalling athlete agreements, policies and governance of Triathlon in Australia.  If TA responded to member concerns, rather than trying to silence them, the sport would flourish.

Simply bold words to finish off a pathetic press release, but no mention by TA of integrity, fairness, transparency, high standards, high performance, and a focus on meeting needs of all members. 

What a mess TA, what a mess.

Question 199, 9 July via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Exciting times - expressions of interest are open for your Elite Selection Committee here.

TA is inviting individuals to be a part of possibly the worst committee in Triathlon in Australia…. Will the Chair be the CEO again, will the failing National Performance Director remain on board to oversee his disastrous program? Will selection remain questionable?

Members are amazed to see that despite the terms of reference only just being finalised by the brand new CEO, TA has managed to get the title wrong for Para Athlete racing selection. Does TA have such low regard for Para racing that they don’t even know the World Triathlon Series is ‘WPCS’ and not ‘WTPS’ as they have in their new document.

Triathlon Australia - when are you going to govern the sport properly and look after our athletes?

What a mess.

Question 198, 7 July via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members are looking forward to a full weekend of racing, with the World Triathlon Para Series in Montreal and the WTCS in Hamburg, Germany.

On looking at the WTCS start list, TA Members were disappointed to see the international athletes the Triathlon Australia Olympic Coach (AKA the Australian Head Coach) are doing much better than the Australians he is supposed to be dedicating his time to.

Why is there no improvement in Australian results under his appointment? Why is there no development of new athletes under his (lack of) guidance of Australian athletes.

When will the TA HP Director - who is overseeing this appalling conflict of interest go? Why does Australia have the only HP program with a head coach that is not dedicated to the one country that has appointed them? Since when in Australian Sport and Australian Taxpayers ok with developing international athletes over our own?

When will TA dedicate your program to Australian success and support our athletes properly?

While money is burnt on an undedicated Australian head Coach, our Para athletes are funding their own way to events and constantly told ‘ the budget is running low’. When will the budget be redirected to athletes and not the failing staff??

What a mess Triathlon Australia.

Question 197, 6 July via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

I received your letter below while overseas supporting your highest categorised athlete.

This athlete is attending her first race on the World Triathlon circuit this season and the TA HP team have already told her that TA finding will not cover the rest of her season - which at this stage is the World Championships she will be defending in November….So effectively TA does not fund their highest performing athlete.

I am struggling to see what a TA membership provides anyone if this is the appalling support you provide your best.

Remind me - what exactly does membership at TA bring?

I will now join the over 40% of members who have shown leadership by refusing to renew their membership with Triathlon Australia because your governance of the sport of triathlon is an absolute disgrace, very soon we will be the majority.

Membership at Triathlon Australia today provides nothing. The only members you retain will be those who forgot to remove ‘auto renew’….which of course I had removed years ago. My membership had been provided by TA, I can’t even remember the last time I joined TA….

See you at the races.

Question 196, 3 July via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members were horrified to hear our dear President, who was forced to rush her business class trip to Montreal WTCS for very very important meetings, return home and then collect her own racing gear to head off to race Roth....was a bit of a disaster.

The Triathlon Australia President was not able to start in Roth and as a result managed an official DNS, because pre race, she dropped her bike gear in the run bag at T2 and her run gear in the bike gear bag at T1.

Oh dear - is this the TA High Performance team helping our President organise her race??

Perhaps the President could spend a little more time focussing on the needs of the real athletes - like the Para Athletes that are heading to Montreal for racing this week. TA have decided not to send a mechanic. How the TA HP Team can possibly think sending para athletes with specialist equipment to a world class race without a mechanic is beyond all members. Another useless TA HP Team decision....

Perhaps TA spent all the money on the President flying around the world....

What a mess Triathlon Australia. What a mess.

Question 195, 29 June via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Coaches were appalled to receive another update on even more appointments to the TA HP Team.

The National Performance Director took some time to reshuffle his team to make 3 more new positions.  Triathlon Australia now have a ‘Campaign Lead’, a ‘Performance Pathways and Athlete Development Manager’ and a’ Paratriathlon Hub and Talent Coach’.  All individuals were currently involved in the HP Program, so presumably the National Performance Director has appointed each with a pay rise.  To make way for one reshuffle, the National Performance Director proudly announced this will be filled immediately with Recruitment for the High Performance Operations Manager (Gold Coast based) will open today’.

This is of course while the one medal won in Montreal - a silver in the Mens Junior race was won by an athlete who was both a last minute inclusion and uncategorised, therefore not supported by Triathlon Australia leading into the race.  Also while the New CEO, the resigned CEO and the TA President all flew over to enjoy the free funding.  Members were provided a daily update from the TA President of her business class flight gastronomic adventure on the flight over and claims she is a leadership flag bearer within World Triathlon (?!)……

What a mess.  The Triathlon Australia Para athletes race next week, and already Triathlon Australia are refusing to pay some athletes accommodation costs - despite Athlete agreements providing TA will.

What an absolute joke your high performance program is.  How many more staff do you need to sink the High Performance Program at Triathlon Australia while the athletes are left without funding??

Question 194, 25 June via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Australian triathlon fans were excited to see young Triathlete Toby Powers won the silver medal in the mens Junior Triathlon World Championships in Montreal overnight.

Triathlon Australia pre race announced - ‘Runaway Bay Super Sprint winner Toby Powers is a late inclusion in the men’s team after Australia was able to extend its quota spots to four’

Seriously?? The Triathlon Australia National Performance Director had initially left him out?? Members are also wondering if Toby Powers will now be considered to be good enough to be categorised, or does the National Performance Directors think Junior and pathway support is a waste of time, while parents can foot the bill…..

So to sum up the Triathlon Australia junior team approach, the most successful athlete was selected last minute and remains uncategorised so unsupported by Triathlon Australia. Absolutely appalling system.

When will the Triathlon Australia national Performance director leave?

What a mess Triathlon Australia.

Question 193, 19 June via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members couldn’t help noticing the races currently being held overseas, Triathlon Australia seems to be forgetting to enter a full list of athletes.

Doesn’t the Triathlon Australia National Performance Director understand the importance of Australian athletes racing and the importance of Australian athletes being given the opportunity to race?

NZ Triathlon on the other hand can send men and women to world cups in Mexico and young athletes - men and women - to the European Cup in Austria. Meanwhile Australia sends no one to Mexico and only men to the European Cup…..and Triathlon Australia has a far bigger budget than NZ.

What a mess Triathlon Australia. When will Australian athletes be supported properly and given opportunities to race?

When will the failing National Performance Director and his terrible program go?

Question 192, 18 June via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

When will there be a release of the 2022/2023 domestic racing calendar? Other sports like Aus Cycling are able to do this - when will Triathlon Australia do the same, or Does Triathlon Australia have no idea?

Does Triathlon Australia not understand the importance of racing? Why cant Triathlon Australia get anything organised anymore despite the growing staff numbers? With over 3 further staff appointments recently advertised - members wonder what does anyone do at Triathlon Australia?

What a mess. When will Triathlon Australia address all the problems that exist in the rotten organisation it is?

Question 191, 12 June via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Round 2 of the World Triathlon Championship Series was in Leeds overnight. it was again a grim watch for Australian Triathlon fans.

Why are Australian triathletes are still being destroyed by the National Performance Directors apalling program.

How bad do things need to go before he goes?

Why doesnt the Olympic Performance Coach focus on coaching Australian athletes - not his international athletes? Why doesnt he also stick to coaching and not selecting teams and athletes? A coach cannot be a selector.

Why are young athletes being prevented starts in major races?

Who is making these absurd decisions - the failing TA National Performance Director or the TA Olympic Program Coach - or both??

What a mess. What a conflict of interest.

Our Australian Triathletes deserve better.

Question 190, 29 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members watched the World Triathlon World Cup from Arzachena, Italy. It was a grim watch for Australian Triathlon fans.

It seems the National Performance Director and his useless entourage have destroyed athletes abilities to perform.  A country like Australia doesn’t just suddenly lose talent, but talented athletes can be put into a system so poor they can no longer perform.

With the women’s best placed finisher at 35th and 4.35min behind the winner and the mens - one of our youngest, so probably least supported - 23rd. Where was the TA Olympic Program Head Coach?  The guy Triathlon Australia is throwing the money and program at…?

The Head Coach needs to step up and take responsibility or go.

He can’t hide in Font Romeu with a select group of AUS athletes and his private coaching business full of internationals while the Australian program burns.  He needs to commit and dedicate his program to Australia success.  Not play the system.

Triathlon Australia when with the guy overseeing this shit show the National Performance Director go?. Is not performing not a fail for Triathlon Australia?

Question 189, 26 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members would like to know how much Triathlon Australia paid the recruitment company to reshuffle the chairs at TA?

Good luck Tim.....what an appalling mess of an NSO you have been given.

Question 188, 24 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members noticed as a response to their question yesterday the junior worlds team was announced - only over 10 days late....

Members would like to know why Triathlon Australia can provide and name THREE male junior athletes as reserves, yet only one female.

Has the National Performance director decimated the female athlete pathways more than the men, or does he simply not care about the womens team as much as the men?

Members would also like to know, given the Junior program is so poorly supported by Triathlon Australia, what exactly the National Performance Director was referring to in the TA press release when he stated the 'Junior team is well supported'.....

Members ask - how are they supported? Is this just the National Performance Director just making sweeping, statements he is not held accountable for?

Question 187, 23 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Junior athletes, coaches and parents of junior athletes are wondering why the following was printed in their selection document -

"The TEAM for the JNR WC will be notified by TA and announced by TA on or about the week beginning 16 May 2022. "

It is now 23 May and EOD in all States and Territories with no announcement anywhere. Does Triathlon Australia have any intention of announcing the team selection soon?

What a mess TA. Yet another failure of the National Performance Director and his useless entourage. What does anyone do in the TA HP Team??

Question 186, 20 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Why is it that all Coaches have to be TA accredited, yet the Coaches recently employed by TA as 'Olympic Program Head Coach' and the 'NSW Performance Centre Head Coach' positions are not?

Does this mean the international coaches are both not committed to Australian athletes but also not insured?

If Triathlon Australia is going to now rush through their accreditation will Triathlon Australia open up the coaching course for members to also complete? Will Triathlon Australia provide these coaches with 'prior learning' recognition despite not allowing members prior recognition in coaching in Triathlon in Australia?

What a shit show TA. Is this yet another fail from the National Performance Director. Is this not a reason to remove him? When will the National performance Director be shown the door?

Question 185, 19 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members would like to congratulate Triathlon NSW, ACT and WA for remaining separate from the manipulated One management Model that Triathlon Australia are bullying STTA’s to align with.

Members would like to know why state boards still exist in those states that have been dragged into the One Management whitewash? Other sports in Australia that have a single model removed those state boards. Why cant TA do things properly?? One benefit of a national model is dismantling the excessing administration costs…..TA cant even do that, instead they have employed more adminisrtators to burn more money. What a mess.

Rumours are the TA President believes her legacy as President of TA will be the One Management Model roll out. Members disagree - the legacy she will leave behind will be the worst period of Triathlon this country has ever seen in the sport of triathlon.

Well done TA President. That is quite a legacy.

Question 184, 18 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Only last year, the TA HP Program had 19 staff. Now following the AIS ‘Refresh Review’ and some of the the worst results in the history of Triathlon in Australia, the HP recruitment process is ballooning further to 29.

Does Triathlon Australia believe spending even more money on staff and not athletes and home coaches, the results will come? Is Triathlon Australia really that out of touch with reality?

Members would like to point out that the current over and excessive recruitment of ‘talent ID’ positions on the HP staff list appear to be doubling up….check out the ‘experts’ here.

Are these positions not already filled by unsupported home coaches? Is it not fact that currently Triathlon Australia over paid HP coaches simply poach talent from unpaid and unsupported home coaches? Rather than recruit more unknowns to the sport, why doesn’t Triathlon Australia just start supporting home coaches - those who have the passion and skill to talent ID? The Home Coaches are doing this already, so why create a position when all Triathlon Australia needs to do is support those already having a positive impact on the sport?

While on the topic of the HP disaster, members ask when will the failing National performance Director be removed??? How bad do things need to be before the sport can be saved from his appalling program?

What a mess Triathlon Australia. What a waste of taxpayers mon

Question 183, 17 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Coaches were recently insulted with another mind numbing ‘Coach connect’ email.

Could Triathlon Australia please provide useful information for coaches? When will Triathlon Australia roll out coach education courses that are actually constructive? Courses that will develop coaches who can develop the talent in Australia?

Perhaps rather than send out useless emails full of drivel, those running the Triathlon Australia Coaching development could actually update the information and provide course dates that are not over 2 years behind. When coaches and members look at the TA website here. the only course listed as available to attend has a date in 2020. Triathlon Australia - surely you know that is 2 years ago…..

What does everyone employed by Triathlon Australia actually do to benefit the sport of triathlon? Does Triathlon Australia think simply employing a head coach from overseas who coaches more international athletes than Australians will be a sufficient coach solution??. Has triathlon Australia looked into why the Head Coach of the NSW program was alleged to have been asked to leave Brit Tri? Where is Triathlon Australia's due dilligence and athlete safeguarding in all of this??

What a mess Triathlon Australia, it is obvious Triathlon in Australia needs saving from you

Question 182, 16 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members have noticed, a year into his appointment the TA Head Australian Coach entitled ‘Olympic Program Head Coach’ is not having a positive impact on Australian Triathlon results. In fact he seems to be having a negative impact.

Members have also heard - and it was confirmed by many sources - that his international stable of athletes is growing, while he is also being overpaid by Triathlon Australia as the head coach of Australia. Isn’t this the same situation that the Italian Federation put a stop to?

Members have also noticed his side kick, in the position of TA HP Network Coach - has been overseas overseeing his international program. Is TA also paying him for this?

Is it not a conflict of interest that the highest paid Australian Coach (and side kick) and highest titled Australian coach by Triathlon Australia is using his position to develop international athletes and coaching program over Australians? Why is the TA HP network Coach overseas attending to his internationals and not here looking after Australians? Is this a joke?

Why are categorised athletes being told there is no ability for them to train with this coach, but for a fee it could be arranged?

Really?? WHAT?? Why Triathlon Australia??

What a mess. What an insult. What a waste of money.

Question 181, 15 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members were appalled to hear the coach heading up the NSW Performance centre from the UK is claiming Australian athletes need to train harder and toughen up.

Members believe perhaps a new coach from overseas should learn the landscape before criticising our athletes.

Members decided to check out how tough this coach was because he claims to be a former athlete. With only one start on the World Triathlon circuit and a run time in that event that would struggle to place in the U13 girls national cross country - it seems like this coach has a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Triathlon Australia why are our athletes forced to endure appalling degrading coaching still? Why aren’t Australian coaches - those who have the passion for the sport of triathlon and those who are finding our talent have fully supported positions in Australian triathlon coaching? Why does Triathlon Australia think overseas overpaid coaches will make any progress here? So far - and a year in - thing are looking worse.

What a mess TA. What a disaster the HP program is.

Question 180, 14 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members enjoyed watching a WTCS race in a time zone that worked for Australian viewers. What was disappointing was it seems Triathlon Australia has made no changes in its approach to international racing. Does the TA HP team know that continuing to do the same thing and expect a different outcome is actually the definition of stupidity?

Given the results, members would like to know if Triathlon Australia will hold the overpaid coaches appointed from overseas accountable for a further deterioration in international results for Australia - particularly in the women?

Will anyone be held accountable for the continued decline in Australian triathlon? Surely the National Performance Director cannot continue in his role?

What a mess Triathlon Australia. What a disaster the HP program is.

Question 179, 3 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Australian Junior Triathlon families would like to know how the worlds team is going to be selected.

The Triathlon Australia High Performance team scheduled the ONE selection race in Werribee, Vic - near Melbournes biggest sewage plant last weekend. This decision alone was obviously going to cause problems. Poor water quality meant the race became a duathlon, and TA announced selection is no longer possible from this race. Most families spent over $2000 on travel and as no families are supported by Triathlon Australia, this money comes from parents and young athletes who love our sport.

To make the weekend more of a disaster, problems included no full road closures, buses driving through the course, start times delayed and some events without medical support at the start….

After all this, parents, athletes and coaches of junior athletes are wondering - as the selection cut off date is very soon - how the team will be selected?

Will the National Performance Director use his worn out power of ‘selection will be made at his discretion’?? Is the outgoing CEO hanging around to screw up the selection of athletes for teams?

Triathlon Australia - why do you force our pathway athletes to endure such a sloppy, discraceful, failing and appalling pathway program when these athletes are our future?

Triathlon Australia the National performance Director is failing our athletes at all levels. When will he be leaving?? Why does no one at TA understand the concept - 'Athletes First. Always?'

What a stinking mess.

Question 178, 1 May via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Oh Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members did predict the Oceania Junior Championships Triathlon Australia scheduled for Werribee in Victoria would be a disaster....

Was Triathlon Australia surprised a triathlon held in the vicinity of Melbournes largest sewage plant would provide such a poor water quality the swim would have to be cancelled and the event turned into a duathlon?

It was predicted months ago by members the swim would be impossible in that water....why are so many poor decisions being made which are affecting our pathway athletes, coaches and parents.

What a mess Triathlon Australia. What a stinking mess.

Question 177, 28 April via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members would like to know why you refuse to allow Lauren Parker to have someone travel with her to World Triathlon events when this is only part of her luggage.

Members would also like to ask - was this decision made by able bodied people and staff at TA?

What a discriminatory decision. Why would Triathlon Australia remove Lauren Parker’s ability to travel freely? Isn’t that also against human rights to remove this?

Triathlon Australia needs a full independent review on this issue alone.

Triathlon Australia what an appalling mess

Question 176, 20 April via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Today is an exciting day - the Performance Programs Manager Keith Flory has his last day at work.

Members thought as a part of the celebration we would look back on some of the appalling advice he provided in his destruction of the Triathlon Australia Performance program.

1 - Interestingly, no one could recall what Keith Flory actually did.

2 - Some athlete lack of care included - When Triathlon Australia elite athletes asked for coaching help he advised them to go to Girona, rent an appartment and go training - they would for sure find groups to train with.

3 - Perhaps the most embarassing for the sport of Triathlon was when Keith Flory contributed to the biggest equipment fail of the Tokyo Olympics by sourcing the attached 'platform shoes'. This was an absolute failure - pretty much like Keith.

Bye Keith. Triathlon Australia what a mess why do you employ these people and leave our athletes to suffer under them?

Triathlon Australia needs a full independent review.

Question 175, 17 April via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

A new low.
Australian Triathletes need saving from Triathlon Australia.

Question 174, 13 April via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

The Australian Olympic Committee nominations are in for the new executive...what an exciting time!

Our own Triathlon Australia President has put her hand up with a cracker of a profile spiel.....(see below).

Can Triathlon Australia members vote?

Best of luck and god save the AOC.

Question 173, 12 April via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members were pleased to see Performance Programs Manager Keith Flory is leaving.

When will the failing National Performance Director and the rest of his entourage leave?

Triathlon in Australia needs saving from the entire Triathlon Australia High Performance Program.

Question 172, 24 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

On 21 March 2022, Members were provided with a Member Update entitled ‘Update on the outcome of the Sport integrity Australia (SIA) review of complaints in relation to triathlon in Australia’ which was also publicly available on link here

In this ‘Member Update’ I was personally named with regard to a SIA report on the Triathlon Australia complaints submitted to SIA. It is a breach of privacy to publicly name me without agreement from me. As such, I am entitled to see the whole report to understand the context and particularly because someone has misstated the facts publicly, thereby potentially defaming me.

I would be grateful Triathlon Australia provides me a copy of the report via email within 48 hours, failing which I will make a breach of privacy complaint to the Privacy Commissioner.

What a mess Triathlon Australia, what an appalling mess.

Question 171, 22 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Yesterday Triathlon Australia sent out an email to members entitled ‘Update on the outcome of the Sport integrity Australia (SIA) review of complaints in relation to triathlon in Australia’. For those members who did not receive the update it can be read here .

Members believe the update was carefully worded document prepared by lawyers, signed off by the TA President and designed to mislead so that TA can carry on as they do now.

TA has given no undertaking to distribute and disclose the full AIS refresh review report to members. TA Is also deliberately withholding the SIA findings from members of a member based organisation.

TA has not agreed to alter the selection policies, the athlete agreement nor accepted they were engaged in bullying and engaging in non-selection of athletes that raised issues.

The final paragraph of the document was entitled ‘Ms Emma Carney Relationship’

In this section, the Triathlon Australia President Michelle Cooper. signed off on the claim that TA had ‘...previously offered mediation...’ to Emma Carney (me). Triathlon Australia did however fail to mention on on 21 January 2022 following my application to the National Sports Tribunal for a mediated hearing of matters, the NST informed me that TA ‘...have advised that they do not consent to the jurisdiction of the National Sports Tribunal at this time. We are therefore unable to progress your application any further.’

In addition to this, Sport Integrity have also written to me on 7 March 2022 to inform me ‘Sport Integrity have not conducted an investigation.’.

Triathlon Australia – why do you continue to mislead and lie to members, when you are running a member based organisation? Triathlon Australia when you send out a member update email, why do you not tell the truth? Why do you continue to manipulate facts?

What a mess TA. It is not helpful for Triathlon Australia to publicly state untruths as a means of progressing mediation.

It is quite clear a full independent review of Triathlon Australia is required.

Question 170, 15 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members see TA have started a CEO recruitment process..

Link can be found here.

Members ask - does the intro not have to be truthful regarding the description of Triathlon Australia?

Triathlon Australia may want to add 'crisis management' to the CEO role description and 'experience in managing toxic human behaviours'

Those applying should also be told that not all STTA's approve of the TA Strategic Plan and the at the TA strategic plan is just a wishlist.

Also there may be a 'passionate, engaged community' TA writes about, but dont forget to add 'this community TA has lost with over 38% of lost members under the outgoing CEO's leadership'

Please also add 'Triathlon in Australia needs saving from Triathlon Australia'.

But then again, members hear the 'interim CEO' has apparently already got the job. When is this going to be announced TA?

What a mess TA.

Question 169, 12 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Why do you keep making things so difficult for your only athlete - Lauren Parker - categorised as 'podium ready' - the top level of categorisation?

TA are aware Lauren Parker raced Mooloolaba QLD today and won. They boasted her racing on their socials. This afternoon Lauren made her way to Newcastle NSW to race the Para Oceania Championships in Newcastle.

Enroute to Newcastle, Lauren was informed she has received a T1 time penalty for not attending the athlete briefing. A briefing that was impossible for her to make, given she had supported two domestic races in two different states this weekend. The briefing everyone knew she would not make, including the National Performance Director was well aware she would miss, because she was travelling.

What is the point of making things more difficult for our Athletes? What is wrong with the TA National Performance Director?

The National Performance Director and his useless entourage needs to be removed.

What a mess TA.

Question 168, 11 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members have seen the QAS is advertising for a scholarship Triathlon coach https://www.sportspeople.com.au/.../70161-queensland...

In the job description, Triathlon Australia have defined themselves as -

'Triathlon Australia (TA) is a not-for-profit organisation and the official governing body for the sport of triathlon in Australia. TA is responsible for ensuring the success and sustainable future of triathlon and multisport, making the sport easier to access, more relevant and more rewarding for a diverse triathlon community.'

Members were wondering when Triathlon Australia will start to undertake its responsibilities it claims to have? Surely even Triathlon Australia staff know none of this is true.

The reality is Triathlon in Australia needs saving from Triathlon Australia.

Question 167, 9 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members would like to let you know, that when you offer discounted membership prices through all the STTA's you should have the discount actually apply when you do manage to have someone want to purchase a membership online.

It would also help if when someone cannot get the discounted rate and call TA, someone actually picks up the phone rather than have the automated message '..everyone is very busy, call back another day...'

Triathlon Australia, why is everything such a mess? If you publicly advertise discounted membership, you must discount them, otherwise you are breaking the law.

Triathlon in Australia needs saving from Triathlon Australia.

Question 166, 8 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members are again appalled by your lack of support for our best performing athlete, and only medallist from Tokyo - Lauren Parker.

Today is International Womens Day, and Triathlon Australia boasts on its social pages the following -

'To celebrate International Women's Day for 2022, we spoke with a handful of wonderful women in tri and asked what makes them feel proud to be a woman within the triathlon community in Australia We encourage you to take a moment to read, take it in and celebrate the incredible achievements, dedication to sport and inspiration to the wider community these women and countless women around the country embody! #IWD2022'

Triathlon Australia then proceed to leave Lauren Parker off the interview list, despite her 'incredible achievemets' eclipsing all athletes you interview and all athletes currently representing Australia.

Triathlon Australia, when will you properly support Lauren Parker, and when will you properly support and celebrate our BEST Athlete?

TA also omit our best world ranked female able athlete - Natalie Van Coevorden. Why?

What a mess Triathlon Australia.

Question 165, 5 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members can finally view the Start lists for the 2022 Oceania Triathlon Cup Mooloolaba

It is baffling that events in every other country in the World can have their start lists on the WT website 30days prior but TA can't.

Members would like to know why so few categorised athletes - and therefore those supported by Triathlon Australia and funded by the Australian taxpayer - are actually starting the event.

Are categorised athletes not allowed to start, told not to start or simply do not need to start anymore?

Why is Triathlon Australia encouraging so many athletes to miss racing opportunities - particularly as the TA HP team only provide 1 event of this length on the elite racing calendar in a whole season.

Why is it that the TA HP Director and his entourage of 18 cannot utilise the resources of race directors and triathlon communities to support athletes crying out for races and competition.

Does TA really believe athletes can prepare properly to race the rest of the world elite athletes with effectively no race preparation in an Australian domestic season. Does the AIS support this non racing absurd approach? Is TA aware of the racing done by European, US, Asian and British athletes - those athletes leading the world in Triathlon? Is racing discouraged so Triathlon Australia can select major teams using discretion which they describe selection will be made 'as we see fit'?

When will Triathlon Australia stop playing with athletes careers?

When will Australian athletes be allowed to perform?

When will the TA National Performance Director be removed and the sport allowed to provide athletes with opportunity and support again?

What an absolute mess Triathlon Australia.

Question 164, 4 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Yet another National Sporting organisation has adopted the Sport Integrity Framework...(read press release here ).

Members were wondering when triathlon Australia will bother? Does the requirement to conduct TA with integrity frighten Triathlon Australia?

What a mess Triathlon Australia.

Question 163, 2 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

It seems in all the problems in Triathlon High Performance programs worldwide, Triathlon Australia comes out on top.

Well done to the TA National Performance Director on screwing things up the best.

Well done to 220 Triathlon Magazine on reporting the facts.

Question 162, 1 March via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,
Members understand Triathlon Australia spend more on Triathlon Australia staff flights, accommodation, meals and car hire than the entire prize pool for athletes for the Devonport Triathlon on the weekend.
Unbelievable Triathlon Australia...

Question 161, 28 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia President,

Members saw the first podcast episode of your coaching business Helix...link here) It was a grim watch but did raise a number of questions for the Triathlon Australia President from members -

• Question 1 - The Triathlon Australia President states no females entered the recent Kingscliff Triathlon draft legal event

  Why does the President not state the facts that women were not offered a start. Triathlon Australia coaches controlled the entries for ONLY their male athletes. Women couldnt possibly enter.

  Even the race organiser was unaware of this and he has taken steps to ensure his next race is provided to women athletes.

  Why would the Triathlon Australia President support sexist behaviour at TA?

• Question 2 - The Triathlon Australia President discusses her travel to TA races (Devonport). Is the President using her position at TA to promote her coaching business?

• Question 3 - Members noticed Triathlon Australia President's coaching business SBR triathlon is still listed on the TQ website but Helix aren’t. SBR redirects to Helix now but is Helix affiliated? If not, the president is pushing club membership to an unaffiliated club. Furthermore, members ask the Triathlon Australia President - if Helix is not affiliated then obviously any members would not be covered by TA insurance and their coaching insurance would not cover them. This is alarming situation for members, particularly as the Triathlon Australia President is overseeing this.

• Question 4 - Members again ask is a coaching business of the triathlon Australia President not a conflict of interest and where can members find the TA President's conflict of interest information?

What a mess.

Question 160, 27 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

There was an interesting social media post by the AIS (see attached image). Members read the detail and noticed TA currently do very little of the positives and are guilty of most of the negatives!

Despite this, the post was liked by interim CEO Tim Harradine.

Tim - you need to do more than act like you are doing the right thing at Triathlon Australia. In fact, Triathlon is a sport that has the power to inspire more than many others and deserves inspirational leadership. The reality is TA currently are as far from that ideal as is possible.

Our sport of Triathlon in Australia continues despite its governing body not because of it.

It is the members and those people living the ideals and chasing their goals that keep Triathlon in Australia going.

The sport of triathlon in Australia could be so much more and deserves to be so.

Simply by liking social media posts will not be enough for Triathlon Australia anymore. Members are aware the interim CEO has grand plans of becoming the next CEO.

The next CEo will need a complete overhaul in the current approach, and it is quite obvious those currently at the helm of Triathlon Australia have proved to everyone in Australian Sport they are simply not good enough.

Question 159, 26 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Hey Triathlon Australia,

Members thank you for the Tri Life newsletter sent out this weekend.

In the opening line TA ask members how 'the tri life is treating you in 2022'...

Then members are told the first race of the elite round of racing is on. Why doesn't triathlon Australia also tell members that the National performance Director and his new hot shot overseas coaches have scheduled a training camp in Thredbo (which they are calling an altitude camp - perhaps they need to check the height of that mountain...) making sure the athletes that receive the most funding by the AIS, Sport Aus and the Australian Taxpayer do not attend.

What a mess Triathlon Australia.

How can athletes perform if the program doesnt even support them racing.? Overseas coaches may not give a toss about Elite Australian Triathlon titles, but Australians do. Can the coaches get their priorities right? Is this why they are in Australia, to be a part of the most declined High Performance Program in the world?

They seem to be a great fit with their program so far..continuing the nonsense of the program led by the failing TA National Performance Director.

Question 158, 25 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Wow Triathlon Australia,

Could your High Performance team be any worse?

Yesterday our pathway athletes were told via email that the Runaway Bay event has been cancelled. But the pathway event in Runaway Bay hasnt...the elite has.

So....our pathway athletes still have 3 races for the season.

Devonport this weekend and a race off the sewage plant in Werribee in April...along with a double booked Runaway Bay event.

What a mess Triathlon Australia, what an absolute mess. Can you please send emails to the correct athletes, or does TA not know who is who??

When will the National Performance Director be removed along with his useless entourage?

Question 157, 24 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Alleged photo of a Triathlon Australia executive Board Meeting.

It is not clear what was being discussed but possibly the removal of the National Performance Director and his useless entourage or the TA President asking she remain and continue her destructive reign until her term ends in November…..

What a mess Triathlon Australia

Question 156, 23 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Oh Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members ask again when is the board executive going to remove the National Performance Director and his useless entourage.

The pathway series is still being finalised - if you can call 3 races a series….

After Devonport kicks off this weekend (yes end of February and finally TA bother to have a national race for pathway athletes), Werribee in Victoria in late May will be a terrible 14 degrees in the water which may be warmed by Melbourne’s sewage treatment farms close by…

Then the pathway athletes race in Runaway Bay again in April, but runaway bay is double booked so good luck finding accommodation within 2km of the race.

Well done Triathlon Australia, your High Performance team couldn’t possibly do a more useless job on encouraging our pathway athletes to remain in the sport.

Why doesn’t Triathlon Australia leave race organising to race organisers?

Australia has a pathway triathlon series its time TA recognised it. - https://grandprixtriathlon.com.au

What a mess TA. What a disaster your HP team is. Leave race organising to the experts Triathlon Australia.

Question 155, 22 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Clearly it is almost impossible for Triathlon in Australia to get any worse. It was bad, now it is a disaster...Check out the World Title results of medals won by AUS athletes below.

Isn't it time the TA Executive Board removed the National Performance Director and his useless entourage?

Why do the athletes have to continue to put up with the worst decline of a HP Triathlon program in the world?

Triathlon in Australia needs saving from the National Performance Director.

Question 154, 20 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

In 2017, when Justin Drew, the National Performance Director was appointed, he provided the following quotes to the Triathlon World in the TA press release -

“The history and medal success that Australia has experienced in triathlon is outstanding and the opportunity remains for our athletes and programs to once again set benchmarks for sport performance globally,” Drew said.

And

“I want to see Australians consistently on the top of the medal dais with an increased focus on the daily training environments of our best, and potentially best athletes as well as significant emphasis placed on building relationships throughout the HP network.”

And he didn’t stop there -

“I look forward to using all my experience and drive to position the Triathlon Australia High Performance and National Team program as the world leader.”

In reality, Justin Drew, as the TA National Performance Director has overseen -

• Australian triathlon slip out of the top performing nations,

• HP staff numbers to balloon with the HP staff wages taking 97% of all funding allocated to Triathlon,

• Athlete performance declined to their worst ever,

• Athlete Pathways have been destroyed,

• Coach education and development is non existent outside foundation level,

All this ensuring the sport of Triathlon in Australia has zero sponsors because the HP program is failing and gov funding support is all that is keeping the sport viable.

…this is all due to an absolutely disastrous HP Program led by the TA NPD Justin Drew.

Triathlon Australia, what is going on? Why on earth is someone who has driven the high performance program into the ground, damaged the athletes, coaches, pathways, disgraced the sport and led the most appalling HP Program in the history of Triathlon Australia allowed to continue his reign of destruction? Why are the athletes left to suffer under this leadership??

Why is he not removed immediately? There is no way any potential sponsors will invest in our sport with him at the helm. TA lost their last sponsor recently - so now doesn’t even have a company that can make race suits…..

What a mess Triathlon Australia, what a High Performance disaster TA is running.

Question 153, 18 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Is it true the National Performance Director wants to remain in his position until after the Commonwealth Games?

Why are members calls for him to resign ignored?

Why does the worst performing National Performance Director in the history of Triathlon in Australia think he has a right to remain and continue to oversee a failing program? Does the National Performance Director not understand he is failing the sport and the sport wants him out?

The program has no transparency, no international results, the domestic season is a disaster, the is no leadership or vision in the program and the athletes and coaches can no longer perform in the toxic culture his program creates. Each major Games selection becomes a contrived manipulation as he calls on his ‘discretionary’ powers he claims he can select ‘as he sees fit’. The sport still has a match fixing cloud still hanging over it following the last selection fiasco…The TA National Performance Director has such a poor understanding of the importance of racing he has organised a training camp for his HP Centre Athletes that clashes with the Devonport Triathlon - one of the 3 races in the elite race series this summer.

How is this actually able to continue?

Why is the TA Board Directors overseeing this and allowing him to remain?

Triathlon in Australia needs saving from the TA National Performance Director.

Question 152, 15 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members decided, as a result of the appalling 38% membership decline to check out which STTA has achieved the most dramatic fall in membership decline over the same 6 year period 2015/16 to January 2022.

State/Territory % Membership Decline

VIC: -44%

NSW: -41%

WA: -40%

QLD: -36%

ACT: -32%

SA: -20%

TAS: -18%

NT: -14%

It should be remembered that the largest numbers of members are located in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and WA, in that order.

VICTORIA - It is certainly no surprise that Victoria led the way in the race to the bottom of the triathlon world by losing the largest proportion of its members over a six year period. Victoria, is a leader in incompetency and disconnect from members aligning well with Triathlon Australia - what a disgrace TV, time the Board and Executives all resigned.

NEW SOUTH WALES - Next biggest loser is NSW, the home of the most recently established High Performance Centre. How about NSW focus on providing what members want instead of becoming sidetracked in embracing a failed High performance Program with an overseas coach (how good is he to come to the worlds leading failing Triathlon program?).

QUEENSLAND - Triathlon Queensland, who publicly stated they agrees with everything TA does. More than 1/3rd of your members have walked away during your love fest with TA.

ACT - The close proximity to NSW seems to have disheartened many members with 1/3rd walking away.

SA - despite very little support from TA has lost “only” 1/5th of members. 20% is still a large number but relative to the larger States and Territory, SA has performed well above average.

TASMANIA - Lost “only" 18% of members. A relatively good performance. Tasmania has retained one iconic race - Devonport, but TA has shat all over that this year putting on a High Performance camp to clash with the race. How stupid is the TA High Performance team, with only 3 races for elites they ensure there is a clash…

NORTHERN TERRITORY - have only lost 145 of members. The smallest STTA, so largely ignored by TA. The smallest membership decline of 14%, though not good, is so much better that the rest of Australia.

WA - the only STTA openly challenging TA at the annual AGM demanding a full independent review of TA and being bullied, silenced and having funding restricted as a result....

Triathlon Australia, what is glaringly obvious your mismanagement of the sport is destroying the sport nationally. While TA is obviously in denial and states 'join our growing membership..' on the TA website, the reality is the TA President, entire Board and National Performance Director and his useless entourage must go ASAP.

The sport of Triathlon in Australia needs saving from Triathlon Australia.

What a mess, what an absolute disaster Triathlon Australia is.

Question 151, 14 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Why is your coaching pathway so appalling? Does TA understand without Athletes and Coaches there is no Triathlon?

Recently TA sent out a ridiculous survey to coaches which offered no relevant information to TA nor to coaches. Triathlon Australia, your coaches would like to let Triathlon Australia know the reason why only 1 in 10 coaches completed the survey was because the questions and the data is not useful and not at all engaging coaches to support the growth of Triathlon in Australia.  

Triathlon Australia had a perfect opportunity to engage the coaches and ask what they need and what improvements can be made to the coaching environment in Australian.  Perhaps TA are just too scared to ask the questions they will not like the answers to….Your coaching program is hopeless, much of the content is plagiarised and the opportunity provided to coaches to develop in non existent.  Apparently coaching numbers are so low the NSW Development camp forces the athletes to complete the foundation course just to build the coaching numbers up.  What the actual hell TA - how can you keep using athletes??

Along with the pathetic coaching pathway at TA, Members would like to also know why Triathlon Australia does not support women in coaching like other sporting organisations do. A female coach complained directly to the (recently disgraced) CEO after it was made very clear that women coaches were being treated very differently to the men, and asked for it to be investigated with proof of this occurring…. The result… no response. 

Meanwhile Madame President is banging on about her world class female leadership at TA.  Give us a break….

TA take note… a survey was conducted by Athletics Australia (see below), that is specific and targeted, it seems that other sporting organisations understand and are supporting ways to include women in sport.  Sad to say Triathlon Australia are closing the door to female pathways and support.

What a mess Triathlon Australia.  What a sexist mess.

Question 150, 13 February via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Dear Triathlon Australia,

Members decided to check out the TA claim on their website where TA state ‘…our growing triathlon community…’. to see if that was true or just another TA attempt to mislead ….

In 2015/2016, TA Membership was at 21,592. Today membership numbers are 13,444.

Over a 6 year period TA Membership now has a decline of 38% . This can only be described as a disaster of massive proportions. And a decline in membership of 15.3% from last year.

This loss of membership numbers is a clear demonstration of the vote of no confidence in the TA Board, the TA President, the departing TA CEO, the entire TA Executive and the failed TA High performance Program. All have managed to destroy everything they are responsible for -

• Members have been asked to pay high membership fees, high race entry fees, and are provided less races. TA have destroyed what was a World leading sport in Australia, and destroyed all areas of it.

• TA has destroyed the ability of elite athletes to perform by providing a toxic environment where High Performance is impossible. Along with our elite athletes, TA has destroyed athlete development pathways and decimated the sports future stars.

• TA has destroyed the Coaching network and has overseen a decline in the numbers of Technical officials.

• TA has Destroyed the National, State and regional races series around the country running the Age Group athletes passion and commitment to our sport. TA has forced out many of our once great prospering Race Directors.

…all this at a time when Government funding has been at its highest ever.

The TA Board has failed the sport, the TA Board has been inept and has provided no leadership. The CEO has failed and has resigned, the President has failed and should immediately resign, the High Performance Program is an appalling failure and the HP Director and his useless entourage should be removed immediately.

Triathlon Australia your destruction of the Sport in Australia is absolutely appalling.