Tri NZ Gifted Womens Triathlon Series

Tri NZ is today delighted to confirm that the national body has been gifted the hugely popular TriWoman Series by event promoter Shane Hooks, effective from the end of the current series.

Hooks outlined his reasons for bowing out and effectively ‘donating’ the series to Tri NZ in a typically personal and brutally honest open letter to his database of participants and stakeholders earlier today.

“This, for my wife Chris and I will be the last time we tour the country, supporting you, our Kiwi women. I have always said I would know the moment when it was time to move on and you know what, that's exactly how it played out.

“This series and you have led to the most important, exhilarating, fascinating seven years of my life. I have given everything and I always knew when I could give no more it was time to move on. I also always knew this was a business - but it wasn't. I couldn't sell it, there isn't a section in TradeMe under ‘buying and selling self-esteem’, I can't sell the most important component of the series, you.

“I also knew the answer. We have donated the series, Lock stock and self-esteem to the very sport I love the most - triathlon. The morning after our 90th and last event at Pt Chevalier, we are packing up the beloved campervan and driving off into the sunset.

“As is always, this series is about you and I need to stress with great importance, you need to get behind this series, get behind our Kiwi women and get behind the new owners of this most groundbreaking series and the new owners - Triathlon New Zealand.”

While excited at the prospect of managing the incredibly popular and inspirational series for women, one that has over seven years seen nearly 90,000 women take part, Tri NZ CEO Dave Beeche took time to first speak of his admiration for Hooks and the way he has run his business.

“Shane is a unique guy, a different character. At times that means he can be challenging to work with as he has his way of doing things and is strong in his opinions. But that should never be seen as a negative. Bottom line is Shane Hooks brings passion and dedication to the sport and importantly to his participants like no one else can. Without question the sport is the richer for his involvement and I know anyone who has taken part in this series over 7 years will feel they too are richer for having done so.”

Hooks will continue to manage the current series through to its conclusion with the final race at Point Chevalier in April but will begin a gradual handover process to Tri NZ immediately, bringing the national body up to speed on all aspects of the series.

Beeche says little or nothing will change with the thousands of women who take part guaranteed of a similar experience next year and beyond.

“What Shane is gifting to the sport is not just a series of races; it is an experience and an inspirational one for many of the women who take part. Tri NZ is charged with building on that legacy while staying loyal to the principles of participation and inspiration that has served Shane so well over many years. It is a hard act to follow but one Tri NZ is committed to living up to.”

The series will complement Tri NZ’s renewed focus on participation as the number one objective for the national body and sit perfectly alongside the Contact Tri Series and the recent introduction of events such as the Contact 3:9:3 for beginners and the Contact 1:2:1 for children.

Beeche says the summer of 2009/10 will be a busy and challenging one but rewarding nonetheless.

“Our number one objective in our strategic plan is participation, getting New Zealanders off the couch and into fit and active lifestyles. We still clearly have a strong focus on elite through a dedicated and incredibly successful high performance programme and will continue to chase world championships and Olympic medals.

“But at the coal face we must engage New Zealanders of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to participate in our sport at some level. The Tri Women Series provides us with the perfect vehicle to continue to inspire women throughout the country through participation and the incredible boost to self esteem that all who take part have experienced in the past 7 years.”

“We are indebted to Shane and his team for the work he has done over the past 7 years and for his decision to entrust us with that legacy.”