2019-2020 Season Review

It was another successful Season for the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Athletes with some great results. Unfortunately the back end of the season where there were some Major Championship races were cancelled due to the COVID 19 restrictions from 16th March 2020.

Lots of disappointed Athletes with the decision with the Australian School Triathlon Championships, Australian Sprint Championship - Luke Harrop Memorial Triathlon and the Triathlon Queensland Club Championships just to name a few

Below is a snapshot of the success of the SCTA / PA Athletes received
Outright Race Wins - 1st Place x 14 / 2nd Place x 10 / 3rd Place x 13
Age Group Places - 1st Place x 81 / 2nd Place x 47 / 3rd Place x 44
Australian Championships - 1st Place x 2 / 2nd Place x 2 / 3rd Place x 1
Queensland Championships - 1st Place x 8 / 2nd Place x 3 / 3rd Place x 3
ITU All African Champs - 2nd Place Professional Female - Laurelle Brown
World 70.3 Qualifiers x 6
National schools Triathlon Qualifiers x 6
National Cross Country Qualifiers x 5
Australian Duathlon Champion 40-44 Years Female - Tania Gover 
Australian Triathlon Champion 25-29 Years Male - Paul Marchant
World Triathlon Age Group Sprint Champs - 9th Place 16-19 - Ryan Marsh
SCTA 2nd Place ​Tri Club Podium Mooloolaba Triathlon 
SCTA 3rd Place ​Tri Club Podium Sunshine Coast 70.3

​The SCTA / PA Aluminium Junior scholarship Holders Ella Wooldridge and Ryan Marsh had some great results throughout the year.

Ryan Started his campaign at the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Luassane where he was the youngster competitor in the 16-19 years Category, giving away up to 3 years to the older boys, Ryan had  a good go and backed himself with a 9th place just 50 secs off the podium. While some races went to plan, there were a few that didn't, but the experienced gain has shown from the end of season analysis.
Results Include
1st Place 15-16 Years - Rainbow Beach Tri
3rd Place 16-19 Years - QTS # 6
7th Place 16-19 Years - QTS # 5
8th Place Senior Male - Queensland All Schools Champs
First Year ITU Junior Male - AJTS # 1 - 37th Place / AJTS # 3 - Australian Junior Champs - 25th Place 
Qualified for the Queensland Schools Triathlon Team
​Raced his first Open Male at QTS # 3 Kawana Tri. 

Ella had a great start to the season as well. She was finishing off Grade 12 this year. With a mix of exam stress and Schoolies saw her contract glandular fever which put an end to the season for her. She is now nearly recovered from it and looking forward to next season.
Results Include
1st Place 16-19 Years - Rainbow Beach - 2nd Female Overall
1st Place 16-19 Years  - QTS # 2 
1st Place 16-19 Years  - QTS # 4
2nd Place 16-19 Years  - QTS # 1
2nd  Place Senior Female - Queensland All Schools Champs
20th Place ITU Junior Female -  AJTS # 1
​Qualified for National Cross Country Champs
​Selected for National Junior Camp

The other Junior Athletes have done an amazing job this year and we have see plenty of growth and development throughout the year. Not every race goes to plan, but the experience that is gained and then improved on shows they are heading in the right direction.

Mia Wooldridge took 3rd Place at the Australian Sprint Champs in Devonport for ITU Youth Female, while Peyton Craig took out ITU Youth Male and Jazi Coventry took 3rd ITU Junior Female at the opening round at Super Sprint Race Weekend. At the Queensland Schools Triathlon Champs 6 qualified for National schools Tri Champs (cancelled due to COVID 19) Peyton Craig (3rd Intermediate Male), Mia Wooldridge (4th Junior Female) along with Jazi Coventry (selected for National Junior Camp), Erin Wooldridge, Ryan Marsh and Macey Roberts. Jorja Matthews and Jericho Pogany all saw huge improvements this year too.

​SCTA Junior Athlete of the Year - Ryan Marsh
With a top 10 result at the World ITU Triathlon Championships in Lussanne Switzerland with a 9th place from 81 competitors, as one of the youngest Athletes in his category of 16-19 Years where he finished only 50 sec off the podium. It was Ryan's first Year into the ITU Junior Category as well and always a tough transition, but Ryan is being rewarded for his hard work and dedication and great result from the World Triathlon Championships at the start of the season (you will see other results in his brief from the Junior Scholarship Review above). This season saw a journey that he will be able to build on for his 2nd year in the ITU Junior Category. With Self Belief, harnessing the race day nerves, especially at major races, will see Ryan develop as an athlete. Keep up the great work. Well deserved.

Our Senior Athletes have had some great results throughout the year. With some National Titles thru to World 70.3 selection, We have seen a lot of ups and downs but the way in which they have rallied and supported each other shows the comradely amongst  them all. 

Tania Gover (duathlon 40-44) and Paul Marchant (Triathlon 25-29) were our National Champions, while Brett Stalley (Triathlon 55-59) and Nicholas Hull (Triathlon 30-34) took silver medals. Rebecca Howell, Matt Billington. Pauline Ashley were all notable podium place getters throughout the year. Our 70.3 World Champs Qualifiers included Lucy Bowden, Michael Hooper, Matt Wolstencroft, Kevin Hammond, Mick Woodcock and Megan Hawkins. 

​Senior Athlete of the Year - Lucy Bowden
For the 2nd successive year Lucy has taken out this title. She has had a stellar year with some amazing performances. Her most notable winning her category at the Sunshine Coast 70.3, claiming her Worlds Berth, finishing 9th Female overall amongst the Pro Female. She had her maiden break thru Race Win taking out the Rainbow Beach Triathlon and in the Queensland Tri Series, she podiumed in the OPEN Female in all 5 races she contested.

​The back end of the season was cut short with a foot injury. I believe her most notable achievement was during this period where Lucy showed her willingness to support and capture some great images with her camera at training and racing (You will see a lot of Lucy's work in the photos in this report). it showed a real Team Player in an individual sport. It didn't go unnoticed. Another great season Lucy. Keep up the great work. Thoroughly deserved accolade.

2019-20 results include
Race Winner - Rainbow Beach Triathlon
​1st Place 25-29 Female - Sunshine Coast 70.3 - World Qualifier Berth
2nd Place OPEN Female QTS # 1
​2nd Place OPEN Female QTS # 3
​2nd Place OPEN Female QTS # 5
​3rd Place OPEN Female QTS # 2
​3rd Place OPEN Female QTS # 4
4th Place OPEN Female - Noosa Triathlon

Encouragement Award - Jorja Matthews
Its been a bit of an up and down season for Jorja. She is being awarded the encouragement award, as I believe with a bit of self confidence and belief, she could get back to racing and hitting the podium like she did 2 seasons ago. Its there, you just have to want it and believe. I did see a glimpse of it at the Super Sprint Race Weekend when she got angry and starting racing well and backing herself. If you take that attitude into the coming season, who knows what Jorja can achieve. Your choice!! Trust and Believe

SCTA Club Member Professional Athletes have had a great year with some amazing results. Race wins to Carrie Lester, Ryan Fisher, Simon Hearn. Notable performances to Brittany Dutton, Kierra Allen (Sansome), Marion Tuin, Kelly Ann Perkins and Brodie Gardner.

The was some great news for Head Coach Toby Coote as well, being named a Finalist for Triathlon Australia Age Group Coach of the Year. Selected for the Triathlon Australia National Junior Camp and received a grant from Triathlon Queensland for SCTA

Well done to all the athletes that competed throughout the year. A massive thanks to the family and supporters of the SCTA, without you, we don't have this opportunity that we have.

​Finally to the sponsors. Grant Symes from Protector Aluminium, without you, this doesn't happen as the major sponsor for the past 5 years. I am totally grateful for the ongoing support. To Vorgee, Mizuno, CLIF Bar Australia, Cannibal Australia, Davey and Associates Optometrist, McDonalds Sunshine Coast. Tara Leanne Nutrition, Rackley Swimming, Kawana Aquatic Centre, Allez Sport Mooloolaba, Rydges Hotels, Intune Sports and Health, The Recovery Room, PREPD, The Event Crew, Ironman Oceania, Titan Performance Group, Zone 3 Wetsuits