USA Triathlon to Invest $100,000-Plus to Drive Youth Multisport Participation

December 16, 2021

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – USA Triathlon today announced its plans to invest more than $100,000 to increase opportunities and access for current and prospective youth athletes across the multisport community through its 2022 Return to Racing Youth Stimulus Package.

The 2022 Return to Racing Youth Stimulus Package includes the following:
• Free youth event sanctioning
• Free youth clinic sanctioning
• Free registration for youth clubs
• 10 free youth memberships for every youth sanctioned race and youth club
• Expansion of Youth Scholarship Program

“Children across the country have been adversely impacted by the pandemic in myriad ways and it is imperative we do our part in 2022 to help them to continue to get back to participating in sports with their friends in safe environments,” says Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO. “The Youth Stimulus Package encourages all our industry professionals to produce more educational clinics, host additional youth events and start new youth and junior clubs. We can’t wait to get to work with our community and grow the sport.”

USA Triathlon will donate 10 free youth memberships directly to race directors and clubs for every youth sanctioned race and youth club. Race directors and clubs are encouraged to distribute these memberships to underserved and underrepresented youth and communities at their discretion.

“I applaud USA Triathlon for making youth a priority,” says Eva Solomon, USA Triathlon Race Director Committee Co-Chair. “Triathlon is a lifestyle sport that can be done by most anybody, whether 8 or 80, but it does come with barriers to entry. This stimulus plan is reducing those barriers to make the sport more accessible so kids can get out and release those endorphins at a time it’s needed most.”

Sanctioning events and clinics with USA Triathlon provides a number of benefits, including a direct connection to local multisport leaders across the country, regional and national marketing and promotional support, access to USA Triathlon’s crisis management resources, a public acknowledgment of committing to fairness, access and respect, compliance with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, general liability and athlete excess medical coverage that also protects against damage to property, and more. Learn more about USA Triathlon sanctioning here.

USA Triathlon Official Clubs are included in USA Triathlon’s Find a Club page, have the opportunity to compete for club national and state championships, receive exclusive race discounts and other event-related perks, have access to resources and education from multisport industry and community leaders, including SafeSport training and education, and more. Learn more about the USA Triathlon Official Club program here.

Race directors with youth events and youth clubs that have already sanctioned and registered with USA Triathlon are eligible for a refund by reaching out to service@usatriathlon.org.
The USA Triathlon Foundation Youth Scholarship Program affords members of the multisport community the opportunity to donate USA Triathlon youth memberships to deserving children as each $10 donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation made via this link buys one youth membership. The Youth Scholarship Program is an extension of one of the foundation’s three pillars, Encouraging Youth Participation, which provides training opportunities, equipment and resources to underserved youth and helps create the next generation of multisport athletes and leaders.

About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation was created in 2014 by the USA Triathlon Board of Directors as an independent tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity. Under the leadership of its Trustees and Committee members, the Foundation serves as a means to create a healthier America through triathlon and seeks to transform lives by opening up new pathways to the sport for all, especially those who are otherwise underserved. The USA Triathlon Foundation operates with the belief that every child should have the chance to participate, every adaptive athlete should have the opportunity to compete, and every aspiring elite athlete should be able to chase his or her Olympic and Paralympic dream. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $2.4 million has been provided to worthy causes and organizations that support its mission. Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more and donate today.

About USA Triathlon

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,000 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of World Triathlon and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

– usatriathlon.org –