It's been a tough period for so many over the last 12-24months, especially for Race Directors like Corey Bacon at Canberra Multisport Events.
Established in 2020, CME brings triathlon and multisport events to Canberra. Providing a variety of fun, exciting and challenging events to participants of all skill levels - with a key focus on kids and development/pathways athletes.
We were lucky enough to chat to Corey on his journey, some of his initiatives and what's ahead for CME and the Triathlon landscape in ACT and beyond.
What is Canberra Multisport Events?
CME provides Canberra and surrounding communities with opportunities to participate in triathlon in the nation’s capital. Events with Purpose is what we stand for, meaning our events target specific demographics. We focus on filling a need through kid’s events, events that foster the Australian Junior Development Pathway, women only events, off road triathlons, and of course events over a range of distances to cater for our seasonal and weekend warrior triathletes.
What made you take a break from coaching to focus on CME?
I spent over 10 years coaching at the highest level. My passion has always been developing athletes to be the best they can be and during this time I have been very successful. Working in a High-Performance environment eventually wears you down, so a different path was needed. Still wanting to make a difference and give back to a sport I will always love, I noticed a gap in the events and development space of our upcoming future Olympians - particularly around the specificity of events that will prepare and help support them to achieve their goals and dreams. So, I jumped headfirst into events!
Can you tell me about Little (and Big) T's?
Little T’s and Big T’s is a fun triathlon training program that introduces kids to the sport of triathlon -the only kids triathlon program of its kind in Canberra. Regardless of what the kids participate in (e.g. they may swim in a squad, cycle with a club or run with a run group, or participate in other team sports) they can still do triathlon. Little T’s and Big T’s gives them the opportunity to develop and learn a range of basic motor skills which can benefit their other sports.
Little T's has a series of events throughout the triathlon season. These include duathlons, aquathlons, triathlons on and off road. The next event is the Little T's Duathlon - Sunday 31 October 2021 which will be run in conjunction with the ACT Duathlon Championships.
You can find other scheduled events and further information at littletstriathlon.com.au
Australian Grand Prix events kick off as part of the Billigence Championship Pathways Series. How did these events come about and why are they so important for our development/pathway athletes?
NSW Triathlon set up a series of events in 2020/21 and at the time, most states were either in lock down or coming out of lockdown. NSW/ACT/VIC athletes could not travel to QLD for events, so I put the same event on in Canberra and made it accessible for other states. The event was a huge success and becoming a regular event in the Series as an event for all Australian Pathway Athletes (when everyone can travel).
There are so many triathlon events around Australia that are non-drafting events that pathway athletes (13-23 years) can compete in. These are great but are not specific to the demands of the Olympic pathway of drafting and competing at a level that normally, athletes can't replicate in their home training environment.
The ability to bring them together on an ongoing basis is something that has been missing for some time and this is where the Australian Grand Prix Triathlon concept comes in.
Hopefully in 2022/23 an Australian GPT Series can take place around the country - allowing our future Olympians the opportunity to race against those they wouldn’t normally. It’s essential that these opportunities are provided to give upcoming athletes the chance to continue to foster their development, and love of the sport.
GPT racing really helps with the specifics of the sport at a high level. It’s chance to make mistakes, learn and develop as they work their way through the pathway towards that dream of someday wearing the green and gold.
What are you most looking forward to with the Aust Grand Prix events?
For me, it is being able to contribute to the development of all pathway athletes across the country - knowing that I will be providing them with opportunities to race at the highest level, and knowing they are going to walk away with many lessons learnt.
The formats – they’re all different and they’re exciting. Fast and furious racing makes athletes work hard and show themselves, parents, and coaches what they are capable of. They also learn that there are always opportunities to improve. It doesn't matter if you are first, last or miss out on selection for the series of events - the key thing is every athlete has something to strive for, and that is something (I believe) has been missing.
To be able to give young athletes the opportunity to race at a level our triathlon superstars back in the 90s experienced is very rewarding. Hopefully it will be supported by athletes/parents/coaches.
Aside from Little Ts and the Australian Grand Prix Triathlon, what events do you have over the next couple of months (and into 2022)?
The ACT Duathlon Championships will be the first cab off the rank this season, as we come out of lockdown on 29 October – we scrape in with the event scheduled for 31 October.
Other events will include the ACT Standard Distance Championship at a beautiful venue of Rond Terrace, which is on the Lake Burley Griffin foreshore and this year athletes get to experience a new course that gives athletes some variety and will have them coming back again (and again).
Moving into 2022, CME will hold the All-Women’s Triathlon. Canberra has not seen an all-female triathlon for quite some time, and it is the 25th Anniversary of the Females in Training club. It’s a great opportunity for all women to celebrate this amazing achievement, and group of athletes. Cross Triathlon will come alive from February which again provides variety in our sport and an opportunity to go off road – there’s plenty of great racing ahead!
If people want to keep up with CME and all the latest event (incl updates), where is the best place to follow CME?
The best place is social media - Instagram and Facebook. The CME website will also have all relevant event information, including Little T’s.
Little Ts - www.littletstriatlon.com.au
Australian Grand Prix Triathlon (launching November) - www.grandprixtriathlon.com.au
Social Media
@agptriathlon
@littletsevents
@littletstriathlon
@canberramultisportevents
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