As we continue introducing our NSW Triathlon Ambassadors for the season, we’re excited to welcome back Dean Ashley, who rejoins us with fresh goals, new personal challenges, and a full triathlon life that now includes supporting two young athletes in the NSW Pathway Program.
Dean’s story reflects the heart of our community – balancing his own ambitions in the sport with the joy, pride and chaos of guiding the next generation. With a big season ahead for both him and his family, we caught up with Dean to talk about what motivates him, what he’s working toward, and what it means to share the triathlon journey not just as an athlete, but as a parent.
It’s going to be a huge year, and we can’t wait to follow along.
Diving right in – can you introduce yourself to the community
I’m Dean Ashley. I live in Helensburgh and train locally in the Illawarra and throughout the Sutherland Shire. My club is Brighton Baths Athletic Club – it’s a bit of a drive from home, but absolutely worth it for the Sunday club races and the great community.
I started my triathlon journey in 2024, so this is my fourth season in the sport.
What did you enjoy most about being an NSW Triathlon Ambassador last season?
I loved meeting ambassadors from other clubs. It was great seeing familiar faces at races and getting to know new people.
Being an ambassador also motivated me to talk triathlon with just about everyone I met. I like to think I played a small part in raising the profile of the sport by sharing my journey online.
At the start of last season you had some big goals – how did you go achieving them?
Pretty good! I stayed injury‑free, which at my age feels like a win on its own.
There were some great races throughout the season, including the World Championships in Wollongong, and I finished the year with a win at Port Stephens in wet conditions – that one felt fantastic.
Our little club also won our division at Club Champs for the second year running, which was a huge highlight for all of us.
Can you share a special highlight from your triathlon journey so far?
The standout has to be the World Championships in Wollongong last October. Having such a major event on our doorstep was incredible, and the atmosphere all weekend was electric.
Pulling on the green and gold for the Age Group Championships was a proud moment – something I never thought I’d do.
Then getting to cheer on the best in the sport for the rest of the weekend made it even more special.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about giving triathlon a go?
Join a club! You’ll meet great people of all ages and fitness levels who support and motivate each other to train, race and have fun.
I love attending events with my BBAC clubmates – we have so much fun together, supporting each other and sharing plenty of laughs.
There are fantastic clubs all over NSW, and you can find one close to you on the NSW Triathlon website. Starting a new sport can feel daunting, but being part of a club gives you community, confidence and all the support you need.
What races are on your calendar for the upcoming season?
The kids are racing the fantastic Billigence Series this year, so I’ll be cheering them on from the sidelines.
I’ll be at as many events as I can – a mix of Aquabike, Aquathon and Triathlon – and we’ll all be at Club Champs in Forster, which is always a brilliant weekend.
Any advice for doing triathlon as a family?
Having three triathletes in the house can be a juggle! But the best part is that we can often train – and sometimes race – together.
The kids’ coaches are great about letting me join their sessions, so I don’t have to squeeze in as much training around their schedules. It gives me quality time with the kids, whether we’re travelling to training or putting ourselves through our paces once we get there.
Race weekends often have something for all three of us, so they become family trips. We’ve visited some great places for races, including Forster, Orange and Tamworth.
Any big goals we can cheer you on for this season?
Towards the end of last season, I felt like I’d finally built a good structure in a busy life – training with mates, racing, resting, recovering and genuinely enjoying the sport.
This season, I’m hoping to consolidate that.
Dean, it’s going to be a big, busy but amazing season and we’re along for the ride. Thanks for sharing the fun with us!
