Robyn Low‑Hart is our NSW Triathlon Coach Education and Pathway Lead, overseeing the NSW Pathway Program and supporting athletes from across the State with opportunities to develop their skills and progress their triathlon journey. A Performance‑level triathlon coach with a strong focus on junior athlete development, Robyn has coached both privately and within the Regional Academies of Sport and NSW Pathway systems for many years, guiding athletes from early development through to national and international competition.
With a long history in endurance sport, including competing at the elite level in other disciplines and many years racing triathlon, Robyn brings deep practical experience to her coaching. She also holds tertiary qualifications in Sports Business and Leadership, strengthening her understanding of athlete, coach and pathway development.
Robyn is passionate about long‑term athlete development, creating meaningful opportunities for young athletes, and supporting both athletes and coaches to continue learning, growing and reaching their potential.
We spoke to Robyn about her coaching journey, and working with athlete, Kyle Mason, who will represent Australia at the upcoming Junior World Championships.
Can you share your own journey in triathlon and what led you to coaching?
My journey in triathlon started through my own involvement in the sport and a genuine love of swimming, cycling and running. I’ve always enjoyed being active, and I loved the challenge of bringing the three disciplines together. I got into coaching when my kids decided they wanted to give triathlon a go. I started helping out, became more involved, and the rest is history.
You’ve coached privately, within the Regional Academies of Sport, and also lead the NSW Pathway Program. What keeps you passionate about coaching?
I genuinely love the sport and enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with others. The biggest reward is seeing athletes progress and develop over time. I also really enjoy working with people who are driven, passionate and want to keep learning and improving – that energy definitely keeps me passionate about coaching.
What’s your coaching philosophy, and how do you tailor your approach for junior athletes?
My philosophy is simple – have fun and do the best you can. With juniors, it’s about enjoying the sport, learning and developing.
Kyle had a great season, qualifying for the Australian Junior World Championships team. How did you start working with him, and what has his development looked like?
I started coaching Kyle about three and a half years ago. He came from a strong running background, so it’s been about identifying the gaps in his overall triathlon development, working on those areas, and helping him become a well‑rounded triathlete. He’s made huge progress across all three disciplines, particularly in developing the skills and race craft needed for draft‑legal racing. He’s always had the ability to work hard, but he’s also become a much smarter and more complete athlete. Earning his place on the Australian Junior World Championships team is a great reflection of that progression.
How has your role as a coach evolved with Kyle, and what growth moments stand out on the journey to the World Champs.
My role has evolved alongside Kyle’s development. Having access to and the support of other experienced coaches, like Dan Atkins, has encouraged me to keep challenging myself, step outside my comfort zone and continue developing as a coach. Kyle has also grown enormously as an athlete. He’s very willing to be coached and listen, but he’s also not afraid to ask questions and understand the ‘why’ behind what we’re doing. That has allowed our coach–athlete relationship to evolve as he’s matured and taken more ownership of his development. One of the biggest growth areas for both of us has been learning when to push, when to be patient and when to adapt. The journey hasn’t always been linear, but each challenge has taught us something and helped prepare him for the opportunity he now has at a World Championships.
What behind‑the‑scenes moments stand out where you felt your coaching made a real difference.
There have been lots of behind‑the‑scenes moments, and anyone who knows Kyle could probably reflect on a few of those. One important part has been presenting Kyle and his support network with clear information around the areas we’re working on, and then working together on how we address them. Kyle really likes data – he wants to see and understand the numbers behind what we’re doing. Using data to show him where he is, where we’re trying to get to and the progress he’s making has made a real difference in his development and his buy‑in to the process. I’ve also learnt not to be afraid to ask questions and seek out answers. There are so many knowledgeable people around us, and being willing to ask for their input, challenge your own thinking and keep learning has been an important part of the journey.
Generally, what impact can a coach have on an athlete’s mindset, motivation and long‑term success.
A coach can have a huge impact. For juniors, keeping the focus on process rather than outcomes is so important for long‑term development. There are so many factors at play – training age, maturation and individual development – so it’s about understanding those and supporting each athlete through them. A big part of our role is creating an environment where athletes feel supported, but are also encouraged to challenge themselves, learn from setbacks and take ownership of their development. If we can help build that confidence and independence while keeping their enjoyment of the sport, we’re setting them up for success well beyond their junior years.
Looking to Spain, what are your hopes for Kyle’s race – in terms of experience, growth or performance.
Kyle has had a really strong training block leading into Worlds and is in great form. I’m looking forward to seeing him race at this level, test himself against the best, and gain experience that will be really valuable for his continued development. Most importantly, I want him to enjoy the experience and take it all in. Representing Australia at a World Championships is a huge achievement, and whatever happens on race day, there will be so much he can take away and build on moving forward.
What message would you share with young athletes, or coaches of young athletes, watching this journey unfold.
Be patient and trust the process. Everyone’s pathway is different, so focus on your own development rather than comparing yourself to others. Keep learning from every experience, stay consistent, and remember that progress takes time. Most importantly, enjoy the journey, celebrate the small improvements, and keep working toward your goals with confidence and determination.
Kyle racing on Thursday 24 September at 7:45pm Sydney time. You can tune in via: TriathlonLive | Home Page
