Triathlon Victoria member and Ashwood Special School teacher Liz Gosper has won the Victorian School Sports Award - Outstanding Teacher Contribution - for her contribution to school sport. Liz has worked tirelessly over the last three years building Multiclass triathlon, open to students with an intellectual disability, to the point where over sixty athletes from various developmental/specialist schools, not just Ashwood, race multiclass triathlon. Liz’s efforts were evident at the 3rd Annual Victorian Multiclass triathlon, hosted at Race 2 of the ActiveTri Series. Over 60 athletes successfully completed the course, nearly tripling entry numbers from two years ago! Many athletes train in swimming squads after school and running and cycling squads on Saturdays under the coaching of Liz’s Inclusive Sports Training squad (IST).

This year 23 of the 62 athletes completed the longer course Victorian Championship and this was a big achievement as for many to develop the skills for a 200m bay swim requires significant training and commitment. In addition to the Championship race, there was a half distance participation event with many completing their first ever triathlon. Each and every competitor celebrated down the finish chute in front of a throng of very proud parents. For students who needed a little extra support, buddies were provided and even a few parents got the invitation to share the journey. 

This year’s championships saw the introduction of an Open Division for post school students to continue their involvement and further progress the pathway for multiclass athletes. Taking out the inaugural Open Division multiclass triathlon were Chloe and Andre.  Andre enjoys his training weekends and the multiclass racing so much he has gone on to join the Hawthorn Triathlon Club! Training with IST and likeminded peers gave him enough confidence to join the beginner’s tri group at Hawthorn and we congratulate the club, and President Tom Williams, for supporting the pathway for athletes with special needs. 

Liz remarked after the event “parents are really grateful for the management and professionalism of the event. The SoleMotive team prioritise safety and enjoyment of the athletes in the multiclass events and together with Triathlon Victoria’s technical officials could not have been more helpful and supportive”. 

Ashwood School also won the Outstanding School and Community Partnerships Award which is presented to a school that has developed successful partnerships with their local sporting community and recognised Ashwood’s partnerships with SoleMotive and Triathlon Victoria. 

We congratulate Liz and her team at IST and the multiclass competitors and wish them all the best for the award presentations at the MCG dining room on Tuesday March 15.