Representing all professional non-drafting triathletes globally, the Professional Triathlon Union (PTU) has launched. Originally founded in late 2014, over the past six months a number of key pro triathletes have formed a board with the aim of establishing a single, unified voice for the pro triathlete community.
The PTU issued the following release yesterday:
Dear Global Triathlon Media,
We would like to officially introduce ourselves to you as the Professional Triathlon Union (PTU), launching today, July 29th 2015. The PTU is a new global Union representing all professional non-drafting triathletes and working to improve the sport in its entirety to benefit Pro non-drafting triathletes and all stakeholders.
Background: The Union was founded in late 2014 by the following Board of Directors: Jodie Swallow, Rachel Joyce, Helle Frederiksen, Mirinda Carfrae, Meredith Kessler, Mary Beth Ellis, Angela Naeth, Sebastian Kienle, Pete Jacobs, Dirk Bockel, Dylan McNiece, Tim O’Donnell, James Cunnama, Andreas Dreitz and Scott DeFilippis. We look forward to increasing the diversity of the Board as we grow.
Executive Director Rich Allen, a retired British Pro triathlete based in the US, manages business operations, project developments and acts as chief communicator for the athletes. He is supported by an expert volunteer panel, that includes business advisors, legal advisors, financial advisors and retired Pro triathletes, who have helped Rich build the PTU into an efficient Union model.
The PTU have been in equal positive dialogue with WTC, Challenge Family and the ITU to discuss communications and working together in the future. Challenge Family have been extremely supportive and are likely to announce shortly that they will recognize us in an official capacity. The ITU have also been very receptive. WTC have said that, ‘at this moment in time they are not ready to add any additional commitment and procedure to their professional athlete infrastructure,’ however, they have been supportive and we look forward to building a strong relationship with them down the road.
We have worked very hard on building the foundations of the Union for the past 6 months and moving forward are now focused on athlete recruitment, partnerships and title sponsorship until December, before we embark on developing the sport in 2016.
“Long distance triathlon has been a professional sport for over 30 years and while the amateur side has grown exponentially, it could be said that the professional arena hasn’t changed at all and if anything, has lost its footing and its aura. Imagine where the sport could be, not just the professional side of things, but the sport in its entirety, if a Professional Triathlon Union had been up and running for the last 30 years! Let’s not get 30 years down the track and imagine the same thing. It is time the professionals did their part to help grow this incredible sport of ours, for themselves and for all stakeholders”, said New Zealand Pro Dylan McNeice.
Danish Pro Helle Frederiksen said, “It is an honor to be a part of such a landmark initiative. I feel as a collective group, professional triathletes can aid the global development of the sport. We will be a powerful voice and a great asset to race organizations and the sport on a whole. We must strive to be recognized in all aspects of the sport and successfully achieving this will take time, but I’m confident that long term, membership numbers, recognition, productivity and value of the Professional Triathlon Union will be high.”
“I am delighted to be involved in this exciting endeavor, which is perhaps one of the greatest developments to ever take place in our sport. We look forward to addressing many issues in the professional sport, helping the sport grow in its entirety and building strong working relationships with all stakeholders,” said Executive Director Rich Allen.
We invite you to take a look at our website www.protriunion.com, where we hope you will find answers to many of your questions regarding the introductions and developments we will work towards.
As an integral part of our professional sport we look forward to remaining in very close communications with you. We truly appreciate the support of the global sports media.
Yours in sport,
Professional Triathlon Union
A number of other pro triathletes lined up to add their voice to the new PTU initiative:
Dirk Bockel: “Having been in the sport for 27 years I have seen so many changes, good ones and bad ones. Athlete representation is long overdue and now is a great time to launch the PTU and move forward. This step will help make our sport more professional in many ways and I am proud to be part of such a motivated and knowledgeable group of professional athletes to get it started”
Jodie Swallow: “Long overdue but all the more important the PTU offers a single voice to represents the professional side of our sport. Nobody in the industry is as passionate about, devoted to, and lives triathlon as professional triathletes do. We have much to offer to the development of our young sport. It is an amazing opportunity and one to be involved with.”
Meredith Kessler: “The popular sports such as soccer, baseball, and basketball didn’t get to where they are today without grass roots movements to help boost the visibility of professionals which ultimately has a beneficial impact on the entire sport. The National Football League would not be the juggernaut it is today without the players union balancing the power between all entities involved. The Professional Tri Union can have this type of influence on the sport we all love!”
James Cunnama: “This is a great new endeavor and the start of what is going to be a very exciting phase in the growth of Triathlon as a professional sport. The potential for Triathlon on the world stage is huge and this step of getting the Pro’s organized has been the biggest hurdle, until now!”
Angela Naeth: “The PTU will support all pro triathletes and provide a voice we can all share in our field. I’m excited to be part of the board for this new endeavor.”
Scott DeFelippis: “Long distance triathlon is more then 30 years old but for the past 15 we have yet to make the jump to main street media level or sport! Almost all Professional sports have Unions established to protect the athletes and give them a voice in their sport. This launch of the Pro Triathlon Union has the potential to be the most important event in the history of our sport!”
