1. family and parenting

Jersey Tristars – off island racing 2015
In line with the previous business plan we are trying to expand our off-island racing during 2015. We
have been building links with the South Central region of the UK and the main target races for 2015
will be the Portsmouth Triathlon and Eton Dorney Triathlon which form part of the South Central
junior race series. In addition we are also including support events in France and Guernsey in addition
to other off-island races where financial support is available. The arrangements for each race will vary
depending on whether we are organising as a club or simply letting you know about other going away
to a race.
At this stage for the main club supported events (Portsmouth and Eton) we would like to hear from
you by the end of this week please to know if you are likely to want to go to this event or not. At this
stage we are not looking for a commitment and likewise cannot guarantee a place on the group
booking, places may be limited depending on demand and availability of transport, in the event that
demand is greater than available places then athletes will be selected based on performance in their
age group.
Main off-island events
Please contact the lead organiser for these events by Friday 6th February to give an indication for each
athlete on likelihood of wanting to go to these events (this is not a commitment at this stage but we
need an idea for planning). If you wish to limit off-island travel for races then we would encourage
participation at these main events ahead of the other events below.
14 June 2015
Portsmouth Triathlon (part of South Central junior triathlon series)
We hope to take a group to this event from Tristars 1, 2 and 3 (no Tristars Start). Bikes would
be taken in a van by ferry and athletes by air or ferry depending on transport availability. The
lead organiser for this event is Fintan Kennedy. This event will attract a subsidy from the club,
we anticipate the net cost per athlete to be in the region of £100 - £150.
Lead organiser: Fintan Kennedy (fintan@juniorjerseytri.com).
5 July 2015
Eton Dorney (part of South Central junior triathlon series)
This is the biggest event in the junior calendar and a must for high performing athletes to
gauge themselves against the top juniors in the region. For this event normally we travel by
family groups and we don’t plan to change that this year, though we may look to take a group
if there is demand. We are also looking into taking a van with bikes on the ferry allowing
individual families to travel by air (travel by ferry usually means time out of school). If you are
unable to attend but have a child who would wish to go there may be some spaces in existing
transport.
Lead organiser: Dave Holmes ( dave@juniorjerseytri.com)
Secondary off-island events
10 May 2015
Rennes Triathlon (school year 7 and above)
This is not a specific junior event but includes a short distance triathlon which is suitable for
our older athletes. The event is easy to travel to from Jersey and is attended by a number of
senior athletes from Jersey. The intention is to take a small group of junior athletes on a group
booking by minibus and ferry staying overnight in Rennes on the Saturday and returning on
the Sunday evening.
Lead organiser: Simon/Della Roderick (della@juniorjerseytri.com)
17 May 2015
Guernsey Granite Kids (up to Tristars 2)
This event has a grass cycle so may be best suited to mountain or cyclocross bikes. We
propose to take a group of younger juniors (Tristars Start to Tristars 2) to this event, likely
format will be travel by ferry as foot passengers with the bikes going by van, out on the ferry
with overnight stay in Guernsey on the Saturday night and returning on Sunday. This event
will be subject to further discussion with the Guernsey junior section. We have existing funds
in the club budget to cover a large part of the travel costs so as long as we can secure
reasonably priced accommodation the cost per athlete should be low (under £50).
Lead organiser: Dave Holmes (dave@juniorjerseytri.com)
Other off-island events
24 May 2015
Lough Cutra (Irish round of the Castle Series)
The Kennedy family travel to this event each year and plan to race again in 2015. With junior
races on the Saturday and a range of senior distances on Saturday and Sunday it is perfect for
families
29 August 2015
Chateau Chantilly (French round of the Castle Series)
A number of families have travelled to this event in the past. With junior races on the Saturday
and a range of senior distances on Saturday and Sunday it is perfect for families. The Kennedy
and Worth families may be taking part in 2015.
26 September 2015
Hever Castle (part of the Castle Series)
A number of families have travelled to this event in the past. With junior races on the Saturday
and a range of senior distances on Saturday and Sunday it is perfect for families. The Kennedy
and Lucas families may be taking part in 2015.
If you intend to take part in any other off-island events during the year, let us know
(info@juniorjerseytri.com) and we can put a notice on the website so that others see the events on
offer and can consider travelling to the same event. Subject to availability of funds at the end of the
season a travel subsidy may be paid for other events – please forward on travel receipts and a copy of
results for any off-island events you take part in to Simon Roderick and this will be considered at the
end of the year.
General information on racing away
Please note that when racing in France it is a requirement to either have a national triathlon federation
licence or have a medical checkup and have your GP sign and stamp a completed declaration (in
French!).
The easiest solution is to take out British Triathlon Federation membership
(www.britishtriathlon.org) which costs only £10 for a junior so is normally cheaper than visiting a GP.
If you require a copy of the medical form (in French with English translation) please speak to Dave
Holmes.
When we take groups away we follow guidelines issued by British Triathlon and coaches/adult
volunteers are police checked.
The cost of junior athletes travelling will be met by parents. We will endeavour to keep costs to a
minimum and to advise in advance of what the cost will be but often the full final cost will not be
known until close to or even after the event date. We receive an annual travel grant from Education,
Sport and Culture which will be utilised to reduce the cost to members (normally £30 to £50 per
athlete per event, unlike some clubs Tristars fully allocates travel grants to the relevant athlete and
doesn’t keep part of the grant) and for some events other club funds may be allocated to cover travel
or accommodation costs.
Responses required
Please could you contact the lead organiser for each of the main club events to let them know of any
athletes who wish to compete (please indicated where possible if it is likely or just being considered
and in relation to Eton if you intend to travel with the child, if you would like to find them a space to
travel with another group or if they can only go if there is a van to transport the bikes).
Indications for Portsmouth and Eton should be provided by Friday 6th February please.
Jersey Tristars
2 February 2015