Triathlon Trust announces first athletes supported through Pathway to Podium pilot programme

The Triathlon Trust has announced the first athletes to receive support through its new Pathway to Podium pilot programme, created to help talented athletes overcome barriers in swim, bike and run.

The pilot has been developed to provide carefully targeted support to athletes with clear potential, helping remove practical and financial challenges that could otherwise affect their ability to progress through the performance pathway.

The first two athletes supported through Pathway to Podium are Emma Warner and Holly Humphreys. Each athlete has been selected following a nomination and review process, with awards designed to support specific areas of need linked to their training, equipment, competition plans and longer-term development.

The programme forms part of the Trust’s wider strategic direction as it looks to expand its role as a grant-giving organisation, supporting people and communities through swim, bike and run, from local participation projects through to targeted support for talented athletes.

Steve Rice, Interim Chair of the Triathlon Trust, said: “Pathway to Podium is an important pilot programme for the Triathlon Trust and reflects the direction we want to take as we develop our wider strategy. We want the Trust to play a more active role in helping people overcome barriers to participation and progression in swim, bike and run, whether that is in local communities or on the performance pathway.

“The athletes selected through this first pilot all have different stories, different needs and different ambitions. What connects them is that targeted support at the right time can make a meaningful difference to their development. Our aim is that Pathway to Podium demonstrates how carefully directed investment from the Trust can help talented athletes continue their journey and, in time, inspire more support so that we can help more people progress in the sport.”

Emma Warner

Emma Warner has been selected for support as she continues her development in paratriathlon.

Emma has a strong sporting background in swimming and running and has also competed nationally as a paracyclist. She was identified through the paratriathlon pathway after attending a Talent Identification event in Loughborough, where her swimming and cycling ability stood out.

Her swim and bike are already at a very high standard and the support from the Triathlon Trust will contribute towards a running blade, giving Emma the opportunity to begin developing her run properly alongside the other two disciplines.

Emma Warner said: “I’m really grateful for the support from the Triathlon Trust. My swimming and cycling are already at a really strong level and the running blade gives me the opportunity to start developing the run properly as well. That is the next important step for me in paratriathlon. This support means I can keep progressing across all three disciplines, work towards performing on the international stage and build towards my long-term goal of taking part in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.”

Holly Humphreys

Holly Humphreys, 17, is part of the Welsh Triathlon Academy and Next Generation pathway.

Holly has loved swimming and running from an early age, swimming with a competitive club and joining Swansea Harriers athletics club as soon as she was able. Her running coach later encouraged her to apply for the Welsh Triathlon Academy because of the strength of her swim and run times.

After being accepted into the academy, Holly arrived at her first triathlon camp on a hybrid bike before being loaned a road bike and quickly taking to cycling. She has since continued to progress strongly across triathlon, aquathlon, athletics, cross country and swimming.

Last year, Holly committed to competing across the British Super Series, spent part of the series ranked second and finished fourth overall, narrowly missing out on a bronze position. One of her standout performances came at the British Super Series Lochore aquathlon, where she raced as a Youth B athlete alongside juniors, finished third overall across the combined field and won the third race.

Her wider sporting achievements include being the highest-placing Welsh athlete at the SIAB Schools International cross country event, winning bronze in the 1500m at the SIAB track international against leading athletes from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and taking gold medals in the 800m and 1500m at Welsh national swimming events.

The support from the Triathlon Trust will help Holly purchase a new bike, receive a bike fit and access turbo/rollers. This is intended to help improve her cycling, support more regular bike training and give her a stronger platform as she progresses in the junior age category.

Holly’s mum, Kate, said: “We’re really thrilled that Holly has been selected for the Pathway to Podium award. She is really passionate about triathlon and trains hard. Thank you so much to the Triathlon Trust for supporting her, I’m sure this will make a real difference.”

Supporting the next stage of athlete development

The Pathway to Podium pilot comes at an exciting stage in the Triathlon Trust’s journey as it develops its role as a grant-giving charity. The Trust hopes the programme will demonstrate how carefully directed support can help athletes overcome specific barriers at important points in their development, while also building the case for future fundraising so that more athletes and communities can benefit from swim, bike and run.