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2023 Cost Cutter Youth Awards

ByEmma Porter |

The triathlon community celebrated the amazing achievements of the young triathletes taking part in our sport at the 2023 Cost Cutter Youth Awards, last Sunday 10th December at the Sport Ireland Campus, Dublin.

The day kicked off with the launch of the first-ever Youth Arena Games, which were a huge success and enjoyed by all, with Junior & Youth athletes competing in a fun-filled and spirited duathlon race.

Following this was the ceremony, hosted by Tri Talking Sport’s Joanne Murphy, which recognised our young athlete’s achievements from across the 2023 season.

The medallists had the opportunity to collect their awards and hear from our guest speakers including Performance Director, Gordon Crawford, high-performance triathlete Erin McConnell, and Cillian Kirk & Sadhbh Brady from the Youth Commission.

Junior Inspiration of the Year

A new award for 2023, the Junior Inspiration of the Year was devised from our Youth Triathlon Commission. This award is for an individual who has shown dedication and commitment to triathlon, has a strong sense of sportsmanship, is actively involved in their triathlon club & community, and has overcome adversity.

Mollie Jackson from Tri Limits TC was awarded Inspiration of the year for 2023. She was described by some of their club mates as ‘competitive but always friendly and encouraging to their fellow club mates and competitors’, ‘they are a focused and determined athlete, they always have a smile on their face and approach triathlon with a great attitude’. She has also been a member of the Youth Triathlon Commission since its inception in September 2022 and plays an instrumental part in being the voice for the youth of our sport.

Junior Athlete of the Year

Mathys Bocquet had a very successful year racing mainly in the junior category, whilst still a Youth Athlete.

At the Europe Triathlon Junior Cup in Caorle, Italy Mathys placed 34th and qualified for the World Junior Championships in Hamburg, Germany. At the World Junior Championships, Mathys placed 66th, after a terrible crash when he was well placed near the front of the race.

At the Europe Junior Championships in Balikesir, Turkey he placed 40th in the individual race and 12th in the Mixed Team Relay Team. Finally, at the Europe Triathlon Cup in Dublin Mathys placed 5th overall and was the first Irish male athlete home.

Junior Spirit of Triathlon

This award recognises those individuals who illustrate the principles of the positive spirit of the sport as displayed through acts of sportspersonship and leadership in multi-sport, with no difference to athletic ability.

Ethan Doherty was nominated for his commitment, both in performance and in uplifting those around him, he has immensely enriched the team culture. It’s athletes like Ethan who remind us that while individual feats are celebrated, it’s the combined effort that often writes the most memorable stories.

Junior Club of the Year

There were three very worthy finalists for the Junior Club of the Year award; Athy Triathlon Club, Pulse TC and Fingal TC.

The panels took into consideration factors relevant to each award such as the level of nominations received, standards of Good Governance, Technical Official race reports, club activity, membership support, event experience for participants, event marketing, Safeguarding standards, and community engagement.

Congratulations to the 2023 Junior Club of the Year – Pulse Triathlon Club.

Junior Race of the Year

There were three very worthy finalists for the Junior Race of the Year award; South Lakes Triathlon, Loughrea Triathlon and Athy Duathlon.

The panels took into consideration factors relevant to each award such as the level of nominations received, standards of Good Governance, Technical Official race reports, club activity, membership support, event experience for participants, event marketing, Safeguarding standards, and community engagement.

Congratulations to the 2023 Junior Race of the Year – Athy Duathlon.

 

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