Emerging Talent Programme

Athlone Wattbike

Supporting the Next Generation of Athletes

Triathlon Ireland’s Emerging Talent Programme is aimed at fostering the next generation of elite triathletes by facilitating foundation level training and education in teenage athletes.

As part of Triathlon Ireland’s Talent Development Pathway (TDP), it's expected that an athlete who successfully applies for selection onto a Emerging Talent programme would develop to progress onto the Talent Development Squad, and subsequently into a National Performance Squad, pending achievement of selection criteria.

Of course, talent development is not always linear and flexibility in developmental progress between stages is expected and will be considered at the discretion of the National Development Coach (NDC), High Performance Coach (HPC) and Regional Development Officers (RDOs). 

GOALS
The goals of the Emerging Talent Programme are:

  1. To identify teenage athletes with specific attributes suitable to compete in the sport of triathlon at an elite international level
  2. To train and educate these athletes to fulfil their athletic potential.
  3. To provide support to guide them to progress towards National Performance Squads. 

Youth and Junior Pathway

Youth and Junior Parthway

SELECTION CRITERIA
The age range for entry onto the Emerging Talent programme or Talent Development Squad is between 13 and 19 years. Selection is at the discretion of the National Development Coach (NDC) and High Performance Coach (HPC). An athlete may be asked to leave the programme by the NDC, HPC or an RDO if satisfactory progress is not achieved, if an athlete fails to meet required criteria or if an athlete behaves in a way considered negative toward the ethos represented by the federation (TI).

Selection onto the Emerging Talent programme may occur through three methods.

Method 1 (Minimum benchmark standards tabled below)
Swim protocol (25m pool):
50m max off 60secs (from push start). Followed by; T5mins (max distance covered for 5mins no tumble turns)
Run protocol (2 options)
T6mins (max distance covered for 6mins immediately after a 4min max effort on a stationary bike
Straight T6mins (max distance covered for 6mins).

Swim Times

Method 2
Finishing within 5%(M) / 8%(F) National Series Sprint race in last 12 months (Depending on Quality of the field further evidence via Swim and or Run times may be requested.
Finishing within 10%(M) / 8%(F) of winner's time at National Super Series Sprint race (in last 12 months)

Method 3
Direct application to NDC or HPC or RDO with evidence of performance e.g. 400m swim time, 3000m run time. Followed by invite to a Training Day or Workshop for competence assessment

ANNUAL REVIEW

Athletes on the Emerging Talent programme, or the Talent Development squad will be asked to provide evidence of progress through completion of Triathlon Ireland’s swim, bike and run assessment protocols annually, and or through performance in competition at National Super Series, National Series or Individual events. Attendance rate at Emerging Talent programme and Development Squad Training days and or workshops will be monitored.

Con Doherty, ETU Athlone

SUPPORT OFFERED (Emerging Talent programme level)
These athletes are most typically competitive at Club races and National Series events but with the objective to progress to compete in CAT1 Super Series events. As members of a Emerging Talent athletes may receive (but are not limited to) the following support;

  • Emerging Talent athletes will work directly with a club coach and will be guided by RDOs, the HPC and NDC via email, phone calls, and training sessions or events.
  • Access to train alongside Talent Development or National Performance Squad athletes where invited and suitable.
  • Up to four Emerging Talent Training Days throughout the year; inclusive of swim, bike, strength and run coaching, of which could be a 2 day training camps combined to a National Series or other event.
  • Athletes may be requested to complete fitness and performance tests as indicators for progress monitoring.

SUPPORT OFFERED (Talent Development Squad)
These athletes are most typically competitive at CAT1 Super Series events with the objective to progress onto the National Squad and compete in European Cup events.

  • Talent Development Squad athletes will work directly with their club coach with guidance from the NDC and HPC via email, phone calls, and training sessions or events.
  • Access to train alongside National Performance Squad athletes where suitable
  • Up to four Talent Development Training Days throughout the year; inclusive of swim, bike, strength and run coaching, of which could be a two day training camp potentially combined to a National Series, CAT1 or another event. 
  • Athletes may be requested to complete fitness and performance tests as indicators for progress monitoring.
  • Performance Analysis (video analysis, one on one coaching) at Training Days only.
  • Further support may be available where the athlete travels to the coach’s location (a fee may be required for this service).
  • Diet support at Training Days only. Further individualised support can be offered at a discounted rate (please contact the HPC for further details).
  • Access to a Training Peaks account. 
  • Coach/peer mentorship via regular email communication. Further direct coaching may be available at the discretion of the NDC or HPC.
  • Athletes will be expected to complete specific performance assessments as indicators of progress.
  • Coach support at some National Series and Super Series events at a Domestic Level.

How to Apply

Throughout 2018, Triathlon Ireland will run a series of Emerging Talent workshops. If you can provide evidence that you fit the criteria above, please complete our online application form.

Any questions can be directed to TI High Performance coach Lynne Algar at lynne@triathlonireland.com