I realize I just recently posted details from the Tri Can AGM and Gala last weekend but feel that I might not have done justice to the real reason for all of the Tri Can Board and Provincial Reps to get together. Did we have fun? Yes. Did we sit in meetings and debate back and forth about topics which, to most people, might be dry as hell? Yes. Was Andrew from NS miffed because there was no bacon for breakfast? Yes :) But I honestly think there was a lot more to it than that.
Something that might have been lost in the shuffle (and the last post)or when speaking to friends, family, athletes and tri members is the amount of passion, dedication and commitment to excellence in our sport that was on display. For myself, it was the first opportunity to mingle with the Tri Can Board and the other Provinces, share best practices, and get a better understanding of what drives each of us and why people "step up" to ensure continual progress in our sport. To sit around a table and hear the challenges and successes from each Province was a real eye opener. We are very similar in most aspects and are all focused on specific goals, be it coaching, funding, club development, race series enhancements and more. It was encouraging to be able to honestly discuss the BIG issues that face each of our Associations and put action plans together to achieve our goals.The beauty is that based on our chats, we are working towards them collectively, leveraging the talent and resources each of us possess in order to be efficient and effective. Sound like a bunch of crap and fluff? Well, it's not...it's the truth. The weekend was very positive in many respects and I feel it set a precedent for future inter-Provincial communication and support for each other.
Speaking of support...please take a minute to consider the work that goes on at all levels of our sport, both in NB and across the country to make this sport what it is today. Without the support of Tri Can, Provincial Sporting Organizations, Sport NB, sponsors, your local bike and sport shops, race directors, volunteers,athletes, families etc., triathlon would be in a world of hurt. What's my point? Good question. All too often we forget about the time and investment made by these players. All of our Provincial orgs have websites and / or blogs, twitter feeds, FB pages and more to stay in touch with their members and the public. Check them out! What can we learn from them and implement here in NB? Support our bike shops, take a spin class,join in on a group ride, race, shop locally and support those who support our sport! Stay in touch with us, share your ideas and get involved.
Enough of my rant. Ultimately, we are all responsible for making things happen and the past weekend was a reminder that triathlon in our country is filled with passionate and dedicated supporters and athletes, something we should be very proud of and continue to build on into 2011 and beyond. We look forward to working with you and wish everyone the best for the Holiday season. Cheers!
There's more than bacon? Well there's sausage and ham and seeing as we were in Quebec there's cretons.
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, I will echo Scott's sentiments. Triathlon is like an iceberg, below the surface there's more going on than meets the age-groupers eye. Most of the time this is entirely transparent to all, and that's the way we like it. Ever seen a true volunteer step up and accept his or her reward? My point exactly!
So, as Scott says, continue to support our sponsors; shop in their shops, train with them and stay connected with the provinicial, regional and national triathlon families thru' the social-media sites we've all set up and before you know it, we'll all meet in TZ again - AD