“I would love to see my sport be reflective of society,” says Catherine Roberts.
WELSH Triathlon’s new CEO, Catherine Roberts, says improving inclusivity in the sport is one of the main ambitions for her time in the job.
Ms Roberts said triathlon has some way to go before it is representative of wider society.
“We know we need to do more to break down barriers,” said Ms Roberts.
“Lots of people want to do a triathlon. (Former Welsh rugby player) Shane Williams has done some. (Tour de France winner) Geraint Thomas says he is going to do an Ironman (a long-distance triathlon event).”
Each year between 7,000 and 8,000 people do a triathlon in Wales and there are around 2,600 members of Welsh Triathlon.
However, triathlon is not a cheap sport. Access to swimming pools, bikes, and safe facilities can be expensive.
The participants are also predominately white. According to data from British Triathlon 2.3% of members are from an ethnically diverse background.
Ms Roberts said water confidence is a barrier to participating in triathlons. Water confidence is lower in the black community.
The Black Swimming Association, which helps tackle low water confidence in the black community, partnered with Sport Wales in 2022.
Ms Roberts, who took up the position in September, hopes this partnership will help triathlon become more inclusive and accessible, saying: “I would love to see my sport be reflective of society.”
