A very warm welcome to the first post on our new Triathlon England South East (TESE) regional Blog. Why have a blog? Well it seems a good tool for us to communicate news about the region in a bit more detail and in a quick and easy way. Within the new structure of Triathlon England more emphasis is being placed on the regions to be more active and structured. In the 2 years that I have been on the regional committee I have seen it grow from a very small informal group to a more engaged and active committee. Our TESE Chair, Martin Harris, is our representative on the council of Triathlon England under the new TE structure and we definitely have a more engaged and fluent flow of communication and ideas as a result.
However, there is lots more work to be done to embrace the potential of our sport both on the ground and in administration. The key as ever lies in volunteers. The sport requires people to 'do stuff'; from the one off volunteering at events to the regular commitment of individuals at committee meetings and sub committees. From the coaches who are developing themselves and their athletes and the event organisers who are building teams and endlessly planning. The sport simply needs people to 'get involved' and it needs the skills that are out there within the membership. As an example we have had a media officer vacancy on the committee for as long as I can remember yet a small amount of input in this area would really help promote the sport. Understandably people are busy in modern life (especially triathletes) and extra unpaid work is the last thing on an individual's mind but the fact remains any such community contribution is extremely rewarding. It has also surprised me when talking to some members that they are not aware of the regional committee and its workings and goals. I hope that this blog will help improve awareness and in another small way contribute to the development of our sport and all the positive things it stands for.
However, there is lots more work to be done to embrace the potential of our sport both on the ground and in administration. The key as ever lies in volunteers. The sport requires people to 'do stuff'; from the one off volunteering at events to the regular commitment of individuals at committee meetings and sub committees. From the coaches who are developing themselves and their athletes and the event organisers who are building teams and endlessly planning. The sport simply needs people to 'get involved' and it needs the skills that are out there within the membership. As an example we have had a media officer vacancy on the committee for as long as I can remember yet a small amount of input in this area would really help promote the sport. Understandably people are busy in modern life (especially triathletes) and extra unpaid work is the last thing on an individual's mind but the fact remains any such community contribution is extremely rewarding. It has also surprised me when talking to some members that they are not aware of the regional committee and its workings and goals. I hope that this blog will help improve awareness and in another small way contribute to the development of our sport and all the positive things it stands for.
Dan James, TESE Secretary
