Sports Management Issue 1 2012 - Leisure Opportunities

SPORT SPECIFIC - TRIATHLON
With the growth of triathlon participation increasing at
both amateur and elite levels, there’s a clear opportunity
for leisure centre operators to introduce triathlon training
and events within their facilities. Nicola Joyce reports
TRIATHLON TRAINING
O
fficial figures from the British
Triathlon Federation – the
sport’s national governing
body (NGB) – suggest a large
proportion of a leisure centre or health
club’s members will train for at least one
triathlon this year. The fastest-growing
sport in Britain, triathlon’s popularity
shows absolutely no sign of waning, with
London 2012 predicted to boost interest
at amateur level.
In 2010/2011, British Triathlon recorded
a 15.7 per cent increase in membership
numbers, with a surprisingly equal split
across genders (59 per cent male, 41 per
cent female). The largest age group represented
is the cash-rich, goal-focused
35- to 44-year-old category.
Outdoor bike and run groups need a
base, as do existing triathlon clubs who
are often keen to partner up
Driving loyalty
Although triathlon is an outdoor sport,
training lends itself well to a club setting.
Triathletes need to train in indoor pools
and can benefit from indoor cycling sessions
and running training on a track or
treadmill. Outdoor bike and run groups
also need a base, as do existing local
triathlon clubs, which are often keen to
partner with facilities that have a pool.
According to Mark Barfield, director
of development at British Triathlon and
director of operations at Triathlon England:
“Operators can offer their facility
as a meeting point for bike and run sessions
and, if they have a pool, that’s an
obvious benefit. Access to pool time is,
he says, always an issue for triathletes.
Not all clubs are able to offer a pool as
part of a triathlon training programme,
but those who can stand to benefit
“Offering sessions across any combination
of the swim/bike/run trio will attract
those interested in triathlons.
“Additionally, operators could use
strength and conditioning sessions,
Spinning and pilates as a draw. Triathletes
are a very dynamic group of people
– typically ABC1s – who are willing to embrace
any new idea which will help them
perform better.”
For those not yet involved in triathlon,
to whom it can be a daunting prospect,
offering a first step within the familiar
surroundings of their existing leisure centre
or health club removes the pressure
of committing to an event or joining a
triathlon club as a newcomer. This can
help build confidence and a sense of
community – key to the success of an inclub
triathlon club.
Operators across the country are
already grasping the opportunities
presented by the public’s passion for
triathlon. Barfield has spearheaded a
triathlon partnership with David Lloyd
Leisure (DLL) and is keen to partner with
any operators who want to tap into triathlon.
“By supporting the development
of in-club triathlon clubs, we can generate
new training environments and the
operators can attract new participants,”
he explains. “The initiative with DLL is
still in its infancy, but anecdotal evidence
suggests that clients will use the gym
more often and are more likely to renew
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Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012