The Gold Coast has officially been announced as the new home of AusTriathlon, following a landmark 7-year partnership with the City of Gold Coast. The agreement marks a pivotal step for the sport, spanning all aspects of AusTriathlon’s operations – from grassroots pathway programs to elite high-performance training and national events.
The announcement comes at a significant time, with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon and the Gold Coast flagged as the host city for the triathlon events. This partnership will not only bolster the growth of triathlon but also inject millions into the local economy and position the Gold Coast as a central hub for Australia’s top triathletes.
AusTriathlon CEO Tim Harradine, Mayor Tom Tate, and top athletes including two-time Olympian Matt Hauser, Paris Paralympian Jack Howell, and rising star Tara Sosinski were on hand for the official unveiling of the partnership.
A New Era for Triathlon in Australia
Tim Harradine described the move as a game-changer for the sport, emphasising the opportunities the Gold Coast presents as AusTriathlon’s new headquarters.
“We are excited to announce that the Gold Coast will be our new home of triathlon in Australia,” Harradine said.
“The Gold Coast and southeast Queensland region present a number of unique and exciting opportunities for our sport to grow and prosper, especially on the green and gold runway to Brisbane 2032.
“In the coming weeks, we’ll unveil our new High Performance Strategy. Relocating to the Gold Coast is an integral part to helping us deliver on this.
“But this partnership branches across all aspects of our organisation – headquarters, staff, high performance, pathways and events.
“We’re very grateful for the support from the City of Gold Coast and look forward to making it our home over the next 7 years.”
Harradine’s words underscore AusTriathlon’s commitment to fostering talent and ensuring success at all levels of the sport, from budding junior athletes to elite professionals aiming for Olympic gold.
World-Class Facilities and a Boost to the Local Economy
Mayor Tom Tate expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the benefits it will bring to both the sport and the city.
“We are pleased to welcome AusTriathlon and their athletes to the City where they will benefit from world-class facilities and a great climate for training and competition,” Mayor Tate said.
“The partnership, which runs until 2032, provides 14 new jobs, more than $30 million in benefit to the local economy and will support more than 90 national pathway athletes to regularly train on the Gold Coast.
“With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Triathlon event proposed to be held here on the Gold Coast, it is the perfect springboard in assisting our Aussies going for gold.”
The partnership is part of the City of Gold Coast’s long-standing Sports Attraction Program, which has injected over $200 million into the local economy over the past decade. It further cements the Gold Coast’s reputation as a premier destination for elite sports and active lifestyles.
Athletes Welcome the Move
Two-time Olympian and Gold Coast local Matt Hauser praised the decision, reflecting on the training advantages the region offers.
“It’s super exciting to put pen to paper and the Gold Coast is going to be the home of our sport,” Hauser said.
“It’s been my home for the last 8 years and I’ve certainly benefitted from the training facilities here and having the ocean so close.
“It gives me variety, and there are so many options for all different types of training that we’re doing.”
Paralympian Jack Howell echoed Hauser’s sentiments, sharing his experience since relocating from Melbourne earlier this year in preparation for the Paris Paralympic Games.
“I’m a Melbourne boy. I made the move to the Gold Coast earlier this year so I can really attest to the lifestyle that it creates,” Howell said.
“Moving from Victoria…training half the year down there is quite a challenge, but moving to the Gold Coast the athlete lifestyle but also the culture here has been extremely valuable.
“Bringing everyone here is a great move, and a path that I can’t wait to see people come along.”
For rising star Tara Sosinski, a Gold Coast local, the announcement signals an exciting future for up-and-coming athletes.
“Having the older athletes here on the Gold Coast to learn from is going to be great,” Sosinski said.
“Matt and Jack have both just come off the back of Paris, so if you’re in the same environment as them every day, it rubs off on you.
“The climate here on the Gold Coast is fantastic – we’re very fortunate to be training all year round in sunshine.
“You only have to walk down the Esplanade in the morning, and it’s flooded with people, promoting an active lifestyle.”
AusTriathlon Looking Towards Brisbane 2032
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, the timing of this partnership couldn’t be more perfect. The Gold Coast is not only set to host the triathlon events but will now serve as the training and development hub for the nation’s best athletes as they prepare to compete on the global stage.
This move is a significant step in ensuring Australia’s triathlon program remains competitive, well-resourced, and primed for success over the next decade. With a thriving community, world-class facilities, and a climate tailor-made for training, the Gold Coast is poised to play a central role in the sport’s future.
