The next generation of Australian triathletes are preparing for their first major international competition experience thanks to funding from the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA).

An eight-strong group of four boys and four girls will gather on the Gold Coast today (July 3) for the first phase of what for some will also see them contest this year's ITU World Triathlon Championships in London in September.

The junior athletes receiving support under the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games Squad (AJCGS) program are: Men - Jacob Birtwhistle (TAS), Joel Tobin-White (VIC), Matt Baker (NSW), Luke Willian (QLD); Women - Jaz Hedgeland (WA), Jodie Duff (QLD), Holly Grice (QLD) and Sophie Malowiecki (QLD).

They will depart Australia on August 5 and head to Hungary for the European Junior Cup Triathlon in Tiszaujvaros, then an Elite Training Camp in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain before the European Junior Cup Triathlon in Eton Dorney (GBR).

Birtwhistle, Tobin-White, Willian, Hedgeland, Duff and Grice will then represent Australia at the ITU World Juniors in London with Baker and Malowiecki the two reserves.

Triathlon Australia's National Manager for Triathlon Development Craig Redman said the funding from the ACGA would play a key part in the development of Australia's next generation.

"It is an exciting time for Triathlon with the Mixed Teams Triathlon Relay added to the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games program and the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held right here in Australia on the Gold Coast," Redman said.

"The Australian Junior Commonwealth Games Squad program will assist the 2013 Australian Junior Triathlon Team to access international competitions in Hungary & Great Britain along with a high performance training camp in Spain and the ITU London World Triathlon Championships.

"While there are never any guarantees in elite sport, I am confident the international travel, training and racing experience these athletes will be exposed to during the six-week tour will be invaluable in their journey to becoming elite athletes."

Australian Commonwealth Games Association Chief Executive, Perry Crosswhite AM said that with Triathlon back on the Games program for Glasgow and the Gold Coast it was great to see a host of new stars on the horizon.

"Australia's triathletes have always performed above and beyond in Commonwealth Games competition and Brad Kahlefeldt and Emma Snowsill's gold medal winning double in Melbourne remains a highlight of the 2006 Games," said Crosswhite.

We look forward to following the progress of this next generation of triathletes and seeing them challenge for places on the Australian Team if not for Glasgow in 2014 then for the Gold Coast in 2018."

Birtwhistle has already had a taste of international competition, representing Australia at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Poland where he finished 41st.

In what was a busy domestic season Birtwhistle won gold in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) Triathlon in January before taking out the Oceania and Australian Junior Championships and the SCODY Australian Junior Series.

Western Australia's Hedgeland also snatched gold at the AYOF, the Australian Championships and the SCODY Series and silver in the Oceania Championships.

Triathlon has only officially featured twice in Commonwealth Games history: in Manchester in 2002 and Melbourne in 2006 after it was included as a demonstration event in Auckland in 1990.

Australia has won a total of five medals from the two Games - gold to Kahlefeldt and Snowsill in 2006; bronze to Peter Robertson in 2006; silver to Miles Stewart in 2002 and bronze to Nicole Hackett in 2002.

The eight members of the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games Squad are:

John Lindsay 
Communications & PR Manager
AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH GAMES ASSOCIATION

PO Box 49, Carlton VIC 3053
173 Drummond Street, Carlton VIC 3053
T: +61 (0) 3 9654 4755  I  M: +61 (0) 423 456 046  I  E:
<mailto:john.lindsay@ausport.gov.au> john.lindsay@ausport.gov.au