“Children across the country have been adversely impacted by the pandemic in myriad ways and it is imperative we do our part in 2022 to help them to continue to get back to participating in sports with their friends in safe environments,” says Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO. With that in mind USA Triathlon plans to invest US$100,000 through its 2022 Return to Racing Youth Stimulus Package.
“The Youth Stimulus Package encourages all our industry professionals to produce more educational clinics, host additional youth events and start new youth and junior clubs,” Harris continues. “We can’t wait to get to work with our community and grow the sport.”
According to a release from USA Triathlon, the package includes:
- Free youth event sanctioning
- Free youth clinic sanctioning
- Free registration for youth clubs
- 10 free youth memberships for every youth sanctioned race and youth club
- Expansion of the Youth Scholarship program
Every youth sanctioned race and club in the United States will receive a donation from USA Triathlon to offer 10 free memberships, which the federation is hoping will be distributed to “underserved and underrepresented youth and communities at their discretion.”
USA Triathlon’s stimulus package has been set up because the federation acknowledges the many barriers to entry the sport has – expensive equipment, travel costs, club fees, etc.
“This stimulus plan is reducing those barriers to make the sport more accessible so kids can get out and release those endorphins at a time when it’s needed most,” says Eva Solomon, USA Triathlon Race Director Committee co-chair.
USA Triathlon also has a Foundation Youth Scholarship Program that allows members to donate USA Triathlon youth memberships to deserving children. The program hopes to provide “training opportunities, equipment and resources to underserved youth and helps create the next generation of mulitsport athletes and leaders.”
