Tennis Prodigy and Rising Triathlon Star Added to The Pho3nix Team Roster

May 2, 2022

/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Pho3nix Foundation is proud to announce the signing of triple Olympic medallist Jonathan Brownlee, world U14 #1 tennis player Flynn Thomas and rising long-course triathlete Imogen Simmonds to the Pho3nix Team.

The three join an elite squad who embody the Pho3nix Foundation’s ideals. As a sport nonprofit committed to engaging and inspiring children through sport, the Pho3nix Foundation appoints as its ambassador athletes who have the courage to blaze their own path to the pinnacle of their sport and the social conscience to pay forward the gift of sport and play to the next generation.

Brownlee is the most decorated triathlete in Olympic history as the only triathlete to earn three Olympic medals: individual bronze in London 2012 and silver in Rio 2016, then gold in the inaugural mixed relay in Tokyo 2020. Along with his brother Alistair, he set up the Brownlee Foundation which conducts sports sessions and events to inspire children from all backgrounds to enjoy sport and lead active lifestyles – a common aim with the Pho3nix Foundation.

Brownlee says, “The Pho3nix Foundation are supporting the Brownlee Foundation getting more kids active. This year is going to be the most exciting for the Brownlee Foundation since it was established in 2014. We are hoping to have over 12,000 kids take part in mini triathlons across the country. This is something that I am incredibly passionate about.”

Thomas discovered his grandfather’s old racket in a laundry room when he was five. For his sixth birthday he asked for tennis lessons – and proceeded to display a passion and skill in mastering the game that has seen him go unbeaten in his age group for over three years, become Swiss U12 champion five times in a row, become the #1 U14 and #2 U16 player in the world, and even sweep adult opponents off the court.

Simmonds has competed in triathlon only since the age of 21, but the past eight years have seen her meteoric rise from age grouper to professional, taking on the world’s top triathletes. Her breakout came in 2019 with emphatic podium finishes at the Ironman 70.3 world championship (3rd) and the Ironman European Championship (2nd) before debuting at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.

Pho3nix Foundation board member and MANA Group CEO Chris McCormack says: “We wanted to build a global team of ambassadors who represent the mindset of a Pho3nix: that to be good at anything is about continually getting up again after getting knocked down, to triumph through adversity and stay true to themselves. Each of their journeys shows that play and sport is a worthy pursuit. They are committed to engaging with the next generation and passing that passion on.”

With its athletes from different sports and backgrounds around the world, the Pho3nix Team showcases that this mindset resonates across sport and life. The roster also includes: dual Olympic gold medalist and two-time triathlon world champion Alistair Brownlee, Olympic gold and silver medalist and multiple triathlon European champion Nicola Spirig, Olympic gold and silver medalist and triathlon world champion Georgia Taylor-Brown, Olympic bronze medalist and two-time triathlon world champion Vincent Luis, Olympic gold medal skateboarder Keegan Palmer, professional surfer Sage Erickson, and viral parkour sensation Michael Khedoori.

The Pho3nix Foundation will draw on the Pho3nix Team to engage in its events, activations, and programs throughout 2022 to engage children in sport and inspire the next generation. For more information, visit pho3nixfoundation.com.

MANA SEG works with the very best in the world of endurance sport. For a detailed discussion about working or partnering with any of our athletes, please contact:

james.bale@manaseg.com

tim.ford@manaseg.com