Elite Australian triathletes and canoe paddlers have new high performance training hub at Narrabeen
An elite training hub has opened its doors on the northern beaches to boost the performance of Australian athletes vying for the next Olympic and Paralympic games — and beyond.
Manly
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The northern beaches is now the home of a new high-performance training hub that will identify and develop the next generation of world class triathletes and canoe sprint paddlers.
Australia’s best athletes in these sports now have access to the NSW Performance Centre that has opened within the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation complex at Narrabeen.
The new facility, on the shores of Narrabeen Lagoon, is a partnership of the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS), Triathlon Australia, Triathlon NSW and the state government’s Office of Sport.
Officials say it will give triathletes and paddlers world class facilities ahead of next year’s Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as in the lead up to the 2032 Games in Brisbane.
Athletes will be able to stay in what has been described as “high-standard” accommodation at the hub — officially opened on Monday — while they train for national and international events.
NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper said the centre would focus on creating a “high performance daily training environment” for the country’s best triathletes and sprint paddlers.
It includes a new athlete accommodation centre and administration building, as well as access to the existing athletics track and gym, giving them access to an “all-in-one training environment”.
“NSW is proud to be the new home of this state-of-the-art facility for our up and coming triathletes and sprint paddlers as they strive to achieve their goals at Paris 2024,” Mr Kamper said.
NSWIS has invested a total of $425,000 in the project.
“The Narrabeen facility will use new and existing resources for coach and athlete education and talent identification opportunities, as well as provide the sharing of information and learning opportunities with other sports.”
The independent state MP for Wakehurst, Michael Regan, who was at the opening, described the training facility as a “win” for local community and sporting groups.
“The Academy of Sport is also used by local schools and sporting groups who will be inspired using the same facilities as our country’s best triathletes,” Mr Regan said.
Young triathletes Jayden Schofield, 23 and 19-year-old Chloe Bateup, both recognised as potential future world-class senior athletes, toured the site on Monday.
NSWIS high performance director, Barrie-Jon Mather, said the new accommodation was a bonus for athletes and their coaches.
“We were able to work with our delivery partners to understand the needs of our athletes and coaches, providing them with a high-standard of accommodation to remain on site while training for major events,” Mr Mather said.
Triathlon Australia CEO, Tim Harradine said the performance hub would help turn out future champions.
“The centre, established with NSWIS, is integral to our high performance strategy to deliver a world-leading program and performance culture,” Mr Harradine said.
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