USA Triathlon has announced the launch of USA Kids Tri Dallas, a six-event youth and junior race series and the next program of the USA Kids Tri initiative, a financial commitment to supporting grassroots programming to grow youth triathlon and multisport by introducing the sport and its lifelong health benefits to a wide range of kids in schools and communities in select markets across the United States.
Supported by the USA Triathlon Foundation, USA Kids Tri is the next step in the organization’s continued efforts to work alongside local events, race directors, coaches and clubs across the country that are increasing triathlon and multisport opportunities and access for current and prospective youth athletes.
USA Kids Tri Dallas is the second program of the USA Kids Tri initiative, which is comprised of four core elements: Introduce multisport in an established setting and format, elevate community connections to provide best-in-class resources, bolster existing race formats with proven records of success, and enable kids from low-to-moderate income households to engage with the sport in a way that works for them and their families.
All USA Kids Tri programs include free USA Triathlon Youth Annual Memberships for participating kids, educational resources, structured time for kids to connect with youth-centric coaches and clubs, or other practice opportunities, and the chance to compete at local youth races.
USA Kids Tri Dallas includes the six-event USA Kids Tri Dallas Race Series and connects local youth and junior triathlon clubs with schools across the Dallas-Fort Worth area to introduce the sport to new athletes. Each race in the series will be accommodating for athletes of all ability levels, from first-time triathletes to more accomplished athletes.
“North Texas is a thriving hub for triathlon with five successful youth and junior clubs in the area. The missing piece was consistent race opportunities for beginner and advanced youth triathletes in the area,” said Emma O’Brien, USA Triathlon youth programs assistant manager. “By creating this race series, we hope to encourage youth and junior athletes and their friends to participate in several local races throughout the year. We have fantastic partners and ambassadors in the sport from our club leaders at Playtri, Bolt Tri Team, Fort Worth TC, Caliber Triathlon and the Tri-Sharks.”
“For all of us at Playtri, helping to bring USA Kids Tri to DFW is an unbelievable opportunity to be part of a broader push to grow and develop the future of our sport. We've seen first-hand the positive impact triathlon has had on kids in our programs, giving them a platform to overcome challenges, develop self-sufficiency, and experience lasting friendships with teammates and competitors alike. These young athletes then graduate to become the next generation of Olympians, age group athletes and industry professionals who continue to inspire and support healthy lifestyles in their communities,” said Morgan Hoffman, head coach of Playtri. “We look forward to sharing our favorite sport with the next generation of DFW youth triathletes in 2023!”
“Bolt Tri Team is excited to see youth triathlon racing back in the DFW area in 2023. This year with the 2023 USA Kids Tri Dallas Race Series we hope to see huge growth to the sport and our local teams,” said Wes Barrett, head coach of the Bolt Tri Team. “Kids and parents in the DFW area are fortunate to be in one of the hottest spots for youth triathlon racing in the country, with five teams and six races right in their backyards. I encourage athletes to look up the team closest to them and start training for their first race — it is a lot of fun!”
The USA Kids Tri Dallas Race Series kicks off at the 2023 USA Triathlon Multisport National Championships Festival on April 23 in Irving, Texas, and continues into September with five local USA Triathlon Sanctioned races in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Each event will include a swim, bike and run clinic before the race, led by a USA Triathlon Certified Coach. Youth athletes will be able to earn points for their participation, and performance, in races across the series.
Community members and multisport leaders who are interested in supporting the USA Kids Tri program can support the program by making a donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation.
Race directors, coaches, club leaders, athletes and brands who want to get involved with USA Kids Tri programming by starting, supporting or sponsoring youth programs and initiatives in their respective communities are encouraged to reach out to the USA Triathlon Foundation at youth@usatriathlon.org or go to usakidstri.org to learn more.
2023 USA Kids Tri Dallas Race Series Schedule
June 10: Cedar Hills Kids Triathlon | Cedar Hills, Texas
Aug. 27: Playtri Little Elm Kids Triathlon | Little Elm, Texas
Sept. 4: Blackland Youth Triathlon | Plano, Texas
Sept. 24: Benbrook YMCA Kids Triathlon | Fort Worth, Texas
TBA: Trifest for MS Texas | Arlington, Texas
Learn More About USA Kids Tri Dallas Clubs
Playtri
BOLT Tri Team
Fort Worth TC
Caliber Triathlon
Tri-Sharks
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