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TRIATHLON
Triathlon Cymru's
Outstanding Contribution to Triathlon Award 2024
This award is to recognise the outstanding contribution of a long-standing person, club or organisation. Examples could include a coach who
has dedicated their life to the sport, an event organiser who has had a significant impact on the Sport and Wales, a member of a committee who has driven club development. This award is not open for nominations but is selected internally by the Welsh Triathlon Staff and Panel.
SIMON & RHIAN ROXBOROUGH
We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Triathlon Award goes to both Simon and Rhian Roxburgh. Simon and Rhian have made an immeasurable impact on the sport through their tireless dedication and passion. As Chair of the ever-growing GOG Triathlon Club for the past decade, Simon has worked alongside Rhian, who serves as Head Coach, to inspire and develop athletes at all levels.Beyond their roles as leaders, Simon and Rhian are exceptional athletes who bring a wealth of experience and inspiration to the sport. This award is a well-deserved recognition of their outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to triathlon. Congratulations, Simon and Rhian!
Simon:
“In the first instance I'd like to say I'm shocked, humbled and honoured to be receiving this award. The fact that I'm sharing it with Rhian just adds to it, as together we've had a fantastic fun filled adventure through triathlon for the last twenty years. The shock of receiving it is real though; when I look at the names of the people who've won this award over the years, I feel a bit of a fraud amongst them! They're real legends of triathlon in Wales whereas I've just been doing something I love, had a laugh whilst doing it and have tried to bring as many of our mates along with us on the way.
The truth is though, I love this sport. I'd played football, badly, throughout my twenties, and as we approached the big 3-0 Rhian did a triathlon having been coerced by a friend. She was
of course hooked, and we never saw each other as a consequence, so I retired from football at thirty years of age, set a goal to learn to swim and did the Harlech Triathlon 12 weeks later, stopping for a breather at the end of every length. Loved it, I still remember how proud I felt, how much I loved the triathlon community and the sense of achievement.
Then ten years ago, just after our youngest was born, we founded GOG Triathlon Club, the name taken as an acronym from the Great Orme Goats that roam around Llandudno as well as a nod to our geographic location. The club has been a tremendous success ever since and the success is down to the brilliant people we've had help the club grow. None of it would be possible without the committee members, coaches and activators, both past and present, who have made and continue to make GOG Triathlon the success that it is. I'd like to thank them all because they help to make magic happen.
It's been fantastic to share the love of triathlon with Rhian, we've had some brilliant adventures over the years as a consequence. This year has been incredible, Rhi winning Gold in both the European and Worlds Championships whilst still competing at the pointy end of races at home, it's been a joy to be a part of. The analogy that Rhi is like a fine wine, maturing with age, and myself like an aged cheese , crumbling, soft and smelling bad may be a little harsh though!
Over the years I've tried to give back in some small way to the sport that has given me so much and hopefully we've helped give athletes in the north of Wales a platform to be seen and heard and the opportunity to get involved in a fantastic sport and community. Triathlon is full of highs and lows, from my first triathlon in 2004 to Tenby in 2011, from Solar Hill to the Great Orme, from PB's and success to injuries and heartache I've enjoyed every second. I'd like to thank Triathlon Cymru for this award, it's one we'll treasure and is definitely one of the highs. I'm genuinely speechless, thank you.”
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