Your NSW Club Championships 2026 Wrap Up

You Made Forster our Biggest Club Race of the Year!

Forster, on Worimi Country, once again delivered the magic, with a day, course and energy only Club Champs can create. A celebration of community, competition and club pride that brought a huge turnout of 800 athletes, 150 volunteers, 16 technical officials and a host of supporters from across NSW together for the biggest club race of the season.

From the moment the first athletes hit the water to the final cheers echoing down the finish chute on our Junior racing, the 2026 NSW Triathlon Club Championships showcased everything that makes our sport special. Club alley was back, colours clashed in the best possible way across swim, bike and run courses, and every corner of the course buzzed with noise, encouragement and the unmistakable energy of a State coming together!

The event was proudly delivered by Elite Energy, led by CEO Mark “Emo” Emerton and his dedicated team. This team sure knows how to bring an event to life – thank you for being a great partner.

“We love staging Club Champs. We love working with NSW clubs and their volunteers. The atmosphere on the course was second to none — it was an amazing weekend,” Emo said.

This is the one weekend where participation matters just as much as performance. Where volunteers are as vital as the athletes they support. Where every point, from the fastest sprint finish to the final club member crossing the line, contributes to the story of who will be crowned Division Champion.

And in 2026, that story was bigger, louder and more heartfelt than ever.

A Day Defined by Community Spirit

What stood out most wasn’t just the racing, it was the way clubs lifted each other.

Across every speech, every podium moment and every sideline conversation, one theme kept rising to the surface: the camaraderie. Not just within clubs, but between them too.

Athletes cheered for rivals. Volunteers encouraged everyone who passed. Entire clubs erupted for finishers wearing completely different colours. It was a powerful reminder that while Club Champs is fiercely contested, it is also deeply connected and a celebration of our NSW triathlon community.

This is what makes Forster special. This is what makes Club Champs more than a race.

Division Champions Crowned

After a day of hard racing, big efforts and club‑wide contributions, five divisions and one junior title were decided – each with its own story.

Division 1 – Warringah Triathlon Club

Warringah reclaimed the Division 1 title with a commanding performance built on depth, determination and standout individual results. Their athletes were everywhere – at the front of races, in the thick of the action, and rallying behind every club member. It was a powerful return to the top.

Division 2 – Balmoral Triathlon Club

Balmoral were triumphant and savoured success with their first Division win since 2012. The victory came off the back of strong participation across the club and some exceptional podium performances sealing the deal. And, with two Balmoral coaches having earned Coach of the Year honours in recent seasons, we think it’s fair to say that recognition is well deserved.

Division 3 – Port Macquarie Triathlon Club

Port Macquarie were a standout for the weekend. Last year they arrived with a handful of dedicated members, but in 2026 they descended on Forster with more than 50 athletes ready to race and claim their division. Fun fact: they accumulated so many points this year, they would have placed third in Division 1. A phenomenal rise and a testament to what a united club can achieve.

Division 4 – Brighton Baths Athletics Club (BBAC)

BBAC claimed their third consecutive Division 4 title with a near‑full‑club showing. Their unity, depth and unmistakable presence once again proved why they continue to be a force in their division.

Division 5 – Scone Triathlon Club & Hat Head Triathlon Club (Tied)

Scone and Hat Head delivered one of the rarest outcomes – a tied Division 5 result. For Hat Head, it marked their first‑ever Division win, made even sweeter by sharing the moment with another proud regional club. A brilliant reflection of what this event is all about. Though we’re sure both are returning in 2027 with a strategy to outdo their main rival.

Junior Club Champions

The Junior Club Champions title was just as fiercely contested, with 65 young athletes aged 5–15 racing in their club colours and giving everything they had. From fearless beach starts to confident bike mounts and dismounts, the future of the sport was on full display and shining bright.

This year, Maitland Juniors took home the title – a huge achievement for a club that continues to nurture and inspire the next generation of triathletes and has produced athletes such as dual Olympian Aaron Royle!

MVP Honour Roll

Once again, our MVP awards were a highlight of the presentation evening. Selected by each club, these awards recognise individuals who embody the heart of their community. It’s not about podiums, though some MVPs certainly earned those too, but about the people who lift others, show up consistently, and help shape the culture of their clubs.

Check out our MVP honour roll and keep an eye out for upcoming profile pieces celebrating each of these remarkable members:

We also celebrated three special awards:

Coach of the Year – Bruce Thomas, Balmoral Tri Club

Technical Official of the Year – Tom Sumsky, Port Macquarie Tri Club

Volunteer of the Year – Mathew Edsall, Hills Tri Club

Thank You for your Support

Last year we shared that events like this cannot happen without the support of many. We listened to as much feedback as possible and made a number of changes – including the time of year and the race formats to ensure the event was as inclusive and accessible as possible for all members.

We’re thrilled that this year saw a positive turnaround in numbers. It showed us that this event is much loved, and an important part of so many clubs’ seasons. For that, we want to thank each club and member who supported Club Champs 2026.

We would also like to thank a few special supporters!

eo SwimBETTER, our naming partner in 2026, thank you for your support of this event.

The team at Billigence and Reflections Holidays, partners of NSW Triathlon, thank you for your ongoing support through many seasons.

We can’t wait to be back again in 2027 – bigger, better, faster and even more fun!

You can help us keep up the momentum by sharing your thoughts in our post‑race survey here.

If you couldn’t join us in 2026, we’d also love your input too. You can do this here.