The 2014 Tata – Kids of Steel triathlon series is launching in Corby, UK, on Friday 9 May. Around 1,100 local children are set to take part in the Corby triathlon event at the International Pool. Now in its eighth consecutive year, the event will be supported by British Paratriathlete Jimmy Goddard
The Tata – Kids of Steel series will visit nine venues across Great Britain between May and July, giving up to 8,000 children the free opportunity to experience triathlon in a fun and safe environment.
The 2014 Tata – Kids of Steel series:
• Friday 9 May – Corby, International Pool
• Thursday 22 May – Scunthorpe, The Pods
• Tuesday 3 June – Workington, Leisure Centre
• Thursday 5 June – Teesside, Eston Leisure Centre
• Monday 9 June – Wishaw (Scotland), Sports Centre
• Thursday 26 June – Sheffield, Westfield College
• Friday 27 June – Mold (N Wales), Alun Leisure Centre
• Tuesday 8 July – Swansea (S Wales), National Pool
• Thursday 10 July – Newport (S Wales), International Sports Village
The Tata – Kids of Steel event at Corby offers an inclusive and accessible opportunity to hundreds of school children aged between 8 and 13, regardless of ability or experience, to take part in a mini-triathlon. The events are organised and delivered on behalf of the sport by the British Triathlon Trust in close collaboration with local schools and community sports clubs.
Employees from Tata Steel’s site in Corby will also volunteer at the event to ensure it runs safely and smoothly.
British Paratriathlete and member of British Triathlon’s UK Sport Lottery funded World-Class Paratriathlon Programme, Jimmy Goddard will be cheering and supporting the children at the event. “I’m really looking forward to being at the Tata – Kids of Steel Corby event,” he said.
“I can’t wait to see over one thousand children swimming, biking and running and having fun doing a triathlon. Tata – Kids of Steel is a brilliant initiative, and helps to reinforce the benefit and fun that sport can be – not just for the ‘sporty and ‘able-bodied’.”
Tata – Kids of Steel is part of Tata Steel’s overall Community Partnership Programme. Stuart Welch, Business Development Director at Tata Steel commented, “Tata Steel is proud to support our local communities with the Tata – Kids of Steel children’s triathlon events – it’s great to see local schools taking part and giving children a fun experience of sport.”
The children take part in a mini-triathlon – swimming 40 to 60m, a traffic-free cycle of 800 – 1,200m, finished with a run of approximately 400m. All equipment is provided including bikes and helmets, so children only need to bring their swimming and running kit. Every child that takes part receives a medal in recognition of their achievement in addition to a t-shirt, swim cap and gym sack.
Ketton Panthers Triathlon Club has been set up following the enthusiasm of staff and children that have attended the Tata – Kids of Steel events at Corby. Over the last two years, the junior club has grown from three or four children at its inception to over 50 kids. Caroline Hattee, who set up the club, has also progressed to a Level II coach.
British Triathlon CEO, Zara Hyde Peters OBE, added “Tata – Kids of Steel at Corby is a fun and accessible way to get young people to experience triathlon – the sense of achievement and pride they get from taking part is amazing. The event team and volunteers ensure the children have a day they will never forget – and hopefully inspire them to get more involved in our exciting sport in the future.”
By 2016, Tata Steel and British Triathlon aim to have given 100,000 children the chance to participate in a Tata – Kids of Steel event.
Tata Steel has sponsored the British Triathlon Federation since 2006, and is continuing its association as its Community Sponsor, supporting Tata – Kids of Steel and having a positive impact on the lives of young people throughout Great Britain.
www.tatasteel.com
www.britishtriathlon.org
