Triathlon Australia Board appoints Tim Harradine as Chief Executive Officer following an extensive search for the sport’s new leader.

The Triathlon Australia Board is pleased to announce the appointment of experienced sports leader, Tim Harradine, to the position of Chief Executive Officer to deliver the sport’s vision and strategy.  

Harradine has held executive leadership positions in sport, including with Triathlon Queensland as Executive Director, as Triathlon Australia’s National Operations Manager over the last two years, and is currently serving as Interim CEO of Triathlon Australia, overseeing the implementation of the future operating model.  

Having made a notable impact throughout his career in triathlon; most recently through work on the future operating model, Tim was also instrumental in leading the process of developing the current strategic plan for triathlon in collaboration with STTAs. 

Prior to triathlon, Harradine changed lanes from the sporting arena to sports administration, taking on roles with Baseball New South Wales including as the Chief Executive Officer of Baseball NSW and the Sydney Blue Sox, after a successful elite baseball career in the USA where he worked and lived as an elite athlete and coach.  

Harradine’s appointment follows a robust search process conducted by SRI where a diverse field of high-quality candidates were identified, vetted, and a short-list interviewed by a panel of TA Board members where Harradine impressed, with a highly strategic approach and drive for commercialisation and innovation. 

Triathlon Australia President, Michelle Cooper has utmost confidence in the appointment and Harradine’s ability to lead the organisation through a change period.   

“Every CEO our sport has had to date has filled a particular role based on our needs at the time. Tim represents the right CEO for triathlon now and into the future. We were seeking a dynamic, passionate, engaged leader who could bring some additional structure to our ambitious plans whilst providing the environment that will allow our people to really thrive,” said Cooper. 

“During the interview process Tim shared a vision for “Team Triathlon” that resonated with the Board’s desire for cultural enhancement and articulated exactly what the board has been seeking in terms of our key priorities, new innovations that we had not discussed before, plans for rapid deployment of business improvements and a focus on both short term and long term with a view out to the 10+10 year plans. We are excited to have been able to secure such a talented leader from among our ranks. 

“The appointment of an internal candidate through a highly contested recruitment process validates that career development opportunities for our people in our new operating model are not just an intention, but a reality. 

 “The calibre of candidates who applied for the position was testament to the desirability of the triathlon brand in the market. You simply do not attract the quality of candidates we saw - from international multinational company executives through to highly experienced sports administrators - without a strong brand and sound strategic plan. 

 “Our priority remains clearly focused on enhancing the experience for all our members, from those having their first interactions with our sport, through to our army of volunteers, the network of experienced race directors to our age group and elite athletes, our coaches and other key stakeholders.  

“We are confident that Tim understands that is the lens through which all our decisions are made and that our desire for constant improvement continues unabated.”  

Tim Harradine said he’s excited to take on the role as CEO and build towards the future, “there’s a clear forward-vision for triathlon in Australia, and we have a lot of ground to cover to make sure we can take advantage of the runway into 2026 and 2032, as well as build a legacy for the sport beyond that.  

“It’s a really exciting time for triathlon. We’re very early in the transition, but already there are so many opportunities presented under the new operating model for us to collectively realise triathlon’s full potential in Australia.  

“Personally, the drivers for me in pursuing this opportunity are the relationships I’ve built in triathlon over the years. The people are why I love working for triathlon and want to make a difference every day.  

“We have an engaged and future-focussed Board to work for, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them and leading the team at triathlon to achieve our strategic objectives.  

“I’m buoyed by that, and confident in our ability to deliver on the strategy, knowing that we have the right people in place, to grow triathlon in Australia.  

“I can’t wait to achieve great things together, and see triathlon grow and succeed, to be the leading triathlon nation.” 

Tim Harradine’s appointment will take immediate effect, with a focus on successfully implementing the future operating model and bringing the aligned workforce together under one organisational structure.