Gulf Coast Tri Initiative
Success in 2019
The Gulf Coast Tri Initiative continues to build. The schools - Oakcrest Elementary, Sherwood Elementary and Sims Middle School and these programs continue to grow with more athletes excited to race. In 2019 the Initiative was awarded grants from Pensacola Sports Foundation and USA Triathlon Foundation. We purchased 8 more bikes and lots of helmets to add to the program. With more athletes this means we paid for a total of 85 entries to the Maritime DeLuna Youth Duathlon and the Sea Turtle Triathlon. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing these youth athletes cross the finish line with a big smile.
Success in 2018
The Gulf Coast Tri Initiative continues to thrive and grow. Both the CHAIN and SISTER CHAIN Tri Teams were able to make financial contributions to the program. We were also able to obtain grant funding from Pensacola Sports Foundation as well as USA Triathlon Foundation. The funding made it possible to pay for a total of 70 race entries and USAT membership fees for the Maritime DeLuna Duathlon and the Sea Turtle Triathlon.
Oakcrest Elementary and Sims Middle School continue to have a very strong participation in their multisport programs. In August, we added a new school, Sherwood Elementary in Pensacola, FL. We provided the school with 8 new bikes, helmets and team shirts. Their first race was the Sea Turtle Triathlon in October.
Oakcrest Elementary and Sims Middle School continue to have a very strong participation in their multisport programs. In August, we added a new school, Sherwood Elementary in Pensacola, FL. We provided the school with 8 new bikes, helmets and team shirts. Their first race was the Sea Turtle Triathlon in October.
Race Day Fun!
Many of our youth athletes have never competed in a multisport race - but you would never know it. They are always excited on race day! We are also thankful to our team mates that come out to support the races as volunteers.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN - GULF COAST TRI INITIATIVE
In 2015, the CHAIN Tri Team (Gulf Coast Tri Team) established the Gulf Coast Tri Initiative.
The program aims to introduce youth athletes to the multisport lifestyle by coordinating with local elementary and middle schools to prepare the athletes for local, featured events: Maritime Youth Duathlon (Pensacola, FL; March), Sea Turtle Youth Triathlon (Pensacola Beach, FL; October).
In its first year, the Initiative raised in excess of $12,000 by way of team member fundraising, partner sponsors (Anderson Subaru, Santa Rosa Island Triathlon), and USA Triathlon Foundation grants.
Throughout 2017 and continuing into the current 2018 season, the Initiative has partnered with Pillars For Promise and funding has continued with matched donations from CHAIN athletes as well as the loyal partner sponsors. Additionally, funding has been provided in the form of a youth sports development, promotion, and education grant from Pensacola Sports Foundation.
With the assistance of Pro Cycle & Triathlon and Tri Gulf Coast, funds were used to purchase quality bicycles, helmets, race entries, bike transition racks, and team jerseys for the school-based programs working with the Initiative.
Sister CHAIN will continue to support the Gulf Coast Tri Initiative through fundraising, volunteerism, organization, and logistics assistance in an effort to help grow the program. The goal is to continue to expand this effort throughout the Gulf Coast, reflective of the hometown geography of the CHAIN and Sister CHAIN membership rosters.
The program aims to introduce youth athletes to the multisport lifestyle by coordinating with local elementary and middle schools to prepare the athletes for local, featured events: Maritime Youth Duathlon (Pensacola, FL; March), Sea Turtle Youth Triathlon (Pensacola Beach, FL; October).
In its first year, the Initiative raised in excess of $12,000 by way of team member fundraising, partner sponsors (Anderson Subaru, Santa Rosa Island Triathlon), and USA Triathlon Foundation grants.
Throughout 2017 and continuing into the current 2018 season, the Initiative has partnered with Pillars For Promise and funding has continued with matched donations from CHAIN athletes as well as the loyal partner sponsors. Additionally, funding has been provided in the form of a youth sports development, promotion, and education grant from Pensacola Sports Foundation.
With the assistance of Pro Cycle & Triathlon and Tri Gulf Coast, funds were used to purchase quality bicycles, helmets, race entries, bike transition racks, and team jerseys for the school-based programs working with the Initiative.
Sister CHAIN will continue to support the Gulf Coast Tri Initiative through fundraising, volunteerism, organization, and logistics assistance in an effort to help grow the program. The goal is to continue to expand this effort throughout the Gulf Coast, reflective of the hometown geography of the CHAIN and Sister CHAIN membership rosters.
For more information: SisterChainTriTeam@gmail.com