USA Triathlon has launched USA Kids Tri Dallas, a six-event youth and junior race series and the next program of the USA Kids Tri initiative.
‘This is a financial commitment to supporting grassroots programming to grow youth triathlon and multisport by introducing the sport and its lifelong health benefits to a wide range of kids in schools and communities in select markets across the United States.’
Supported by the USA Triathlon Foundation, USA Kids Tri is seen as the next step in the organization’s continued efforts to work alongside local events, race directors, coaches and clubs across the United States that are increasing triathlon and multisport opportunities and access for current and prospective youth athletes.
USA Kids Tri Dallas is the second program of the USA Kids Tri initiative, which is comprised of four core elements:
- Introduce multisport in an established setting and format;
- Elevate community connections to provide best-in-class resources;
- Bbolster existing race formats with proven records of success; and
- Enable kids from low-to-moderate income households to engage with the sport in a way that works for them and their families.
All USA Kids Tri programs include free USA Triathlon Youth Annual Memberships for participating kids, as well as educational resources, structured time to connect with youth-centric coaches and clubs, or other practice opportunities, and the chance to compete at local youth races.
USA Kids Tri Dallas includes the six-event USA Kids Tri Dallas Race Series and connects local youth and junior triathlon clubs with schools across the Dallas-Fort Worth area to introduce the sport to new athletes. Each race in the series will be accommodating for athletes of all ability levels, from first-time triathletes to more accomplished athletes.
“North Texas is a thriving hub for triathlon with five successful youth and junior clubs in the area,” said Emma O’Brien, USA Triathlon Youth Programs Assistant Manager.
“The missing piece was consistent race opportunities for beginner and advanced youth triathletes in the area. By creating this race series, we hope to encourage youth and junior athletes and their friends to participate in several local races throughout the year.
“We have fantastic partners and ambassadors in the sport from our club leaders at Playtri, Bolt Tri Team, Fort Worth TC, Caliber Triathlon and the Tri-Sharks.”
Morgan Hoffman, Head Coach at Playtri, said “For all of us at Playtri, helping to bring USA Kids Tri to DFW is an unbelievable opportunity to be part of a broader push to grow and develop the future of our sport.
“We’ve seen first-hand the positive impact triathlon has had on kids in our programs, giving them a platform to overcome challenges, develop self-sufficiency, and experience lasting friendships with teammates and competitors alike.
“These young athletes then graduate to become the next generation of Olympians, age group athletes and industry professionals who continue to inspire and support healthy lifestyles in their communities. We look forward to sharing our favourite sport with the next generation of DFW youth triathletes in 2023.”
The USA Kids Tri Dallas Race Series kicks off at the 2023 USA Triathlon Multisport National Championships Festival on April 23 in Irving, Texas, and continues into September with five local USA Triathlon Sanctioned races in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
Each event will include a swim, bike and run clinic before the race, led by a USA Triathlon Certified Coach. Youth athletes will be able to earn points for their participation, and performance, in races across the series.
2023 USA Kids Tri Dallas Race Series Schedule
- Apr 23: USA Triathlon Multisport National Championships Festival | Irving, Texas
- Jun 10: Cedar Hills Kids Triathlon | Cedar Hills, Texas
- Aug 27: Playtri Little Elm Kids Triathlon | Little Elm, Texas
- Sep 4: Blackland Youth Triathlon | Plano, Texas
- Sep 24: Benbrook YMCA Kids Triathlon | Fort Worth, Texas
- TBA: Trifest for MS Texas | Arlington, Texas
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