Tri and stop the Coasters

THE Gold Coast will form one half of Triathlon Australia’s push towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympics following a restructure to performance programs.

The success of Coast-based athletes including Commonwealth Games mixed relay gold medallist Matt Hauser and the emergence of other elite competitors prompted Triathlon Australia to rebrand their Queensland division.

Triathlon Australia’s Dan Atkins (pictured), previously the under-23 and paratriathlon coach, is now head of the national performance centre at their Mermaid Waters base.

Previously young triathletes would mould their skills under Atkins before shifting to Wollongong in NSW to train under international performance centre coach Jamie Turner.

But Atkins’ shift means his top athletes, including Hauser and emerging elites Jaz Hedgeland and Brandon Copeland, can continue to train at their Gold Coast base.

It follows a structural review by Triathlon Australia that confirmed the Coast base’s presence until after the Tokyo Olympics.

“I’m now able to coach any level and if an elite athlete knocks on my door I’ll be more than willing to help,” Atkins said.

“I want to be attracting elite athletes from Australia and for them to know they have the opportunity to come to the Gold Coast to work in our program and to be able to use our staff and resources.

“It’s a nice pat on the back for me. I’m lucky TA want me to evolve as a coach and keep going with these athletes.”