Triathlon coach hoping to leave a lasting legacy
LOUGHBOROUGH-based Jonny Riall, British Triathlon’s Paratriathlon Head Coach, has been announced as triathlon Team Leader for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.
Riall who works out of Loughborough University and who founded the Paralympic programme in 2009, has been the Team Leader for their Paralympic programme since 2013.
“It just feels like an incredible honour, to be the person who gets to build and shape the team at a home Games, it’s just brilliant.
“I feel like I’ve got an opportunity to use all the things I’ve learnt in the last 10 years to give the athletes everything they need to go and perform really well.”
Riall first got involved in the sport as a volunteer for Team England at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 and for the last 20 years has dedicated his life to trying to be the best coach and team leader that he can be.
“I know where my skills sit, and it’s very much within team dynamics, and working with people to get the best out of them. In my role, you’re a filter for a lot of things, and I think it’s being able to filter out the things that are not important for the athletes, and just let them get on with what they’re good at – which is going out and performing.”
With a home Games bound to throw up more than its fair share of challenges, Riall is prepared to not only create an environment where his athletes can excel, but also leave a lasting legacy for triathlon.
“There will be a lot of things thrown at us at a home Games. It’s my job to capitalise on all of that, but to try and make it a nice, relaxed and calm environment for our athletes to enjoy.
“I want to have the headspace to be able to deliver a lot more than just a set of performances on the field of play. For me, the success of any elite event is about the legacy it leaves behind, so I’ve already created a working group in our organisation to try and capitalise on all the areas that a home Games can give us.
“Whether that’s improving opportunities for pathway athletes, opportunities for young people to get involved, volunteering opportunities, there’s a whole wealth of things a home Games can give you, and I see it as my responsibility to make sure those doors are firmly open to give the sport of triathlon an amazing opportunity to develop off the back of Birmingham 2022.”
• To follow the fortunes of Team England athletes in the lead up to Birmingham 2022 head to the Team England website www.teamengland.