This weekend is the annual Triathlon Australia Celebration of Champion Dinner on the Gold Coast. This night of night celebrates our sporting champions past and present, including reigning Elite World Champions, WTS athletes, along with our amazing Age Group athletes.

The evening will also feature presentation of the Age Group Coach of the year award, and Lakers Triathlon Club coach Grant Fergusson has made it to the end of a very short list.

Grant says “I have been coaching for nearly 20 years all as part of the Lakers Triathlon Club. The club has grown from 20 members when I joined to currently over 300. I fell into coaching to help Kev (Fergusson) my brother when he was head coach of the club and the club started to grow. 

My biggest thrill in coaching was at last year’s New Zealand Ironman, one of my athletes Georgia who I had coached in swimming since she was 15 competed as a 21-year-old and finished 3^rd in her age group, what huge pride seeing her on stage receiving her award. My eldest son Tristan also competes and loves the sport as much as me which thrills me no end. The most enjoyment any coach can get is seeing continued improvement in their athletes and the joy it brings them when they compete, even after all these years it still gives me a buzz. 

I have also been very lucky to have the support of my partner and family who never complain about the early hours and commitment required to coach and enjoy this sport.”

TriSA wishes Grant good luck for this award and although he is unable to attend, we’ll fly the flag in his honour.