Dan Atkins Appointed Head Coach Of Gold Coast National Performance Centre

Triathlon Australia, May 2, 2014: Triathlon Australia has today appointed former National Talent Academy Coach and AIS Scholarship coach Dan Atkins as the inauguralHead Coach of its Gold Coast National Performance Centre.

Atkins, 39, takes over a senior coaching position left vacant by Olympic gold medal coach Craig Walton who will continue to provide support in the change over.

The former Brisbane-based Atkins has spent the last 12 months in a role as Triathlon Australia’s National Talent Academy coach in Western Australia.

He will take up the new role, based out of Triathlon’s Gold Coast headquarters at Pizzey Park, from May 19.

Atkins will adopt a squad that includes two of Australia’s leading junior men, Calvin Quirk and Dan Coleman, who have already been named on Australia’s Junior Team for the 2014 ITU World Championships in Edmonton and former leading Surf Life Saving Ironman Kelly Ann Perkins – who has made a successful talent transfer over the past 12 months.

With him, Atkins will bring Australia’s number one junior female triathlete, in Jaz Hedgeland – who has dominated the Scody National Series throughout 2013-14 – after finishing fourth in last year’s ITU World Junior Championships in London.

Hedgeland’s sister, Kira, who will join her big sister on the team for Edmonton, will remain in Perth to finish High School, spending time on the Gold Coast during training camps.

Triathlon Australia’s Performance Director, Bernard Savage, welcomed Atkins into the sport’s High Performance team.

“Dan interviewed very well and he will bring his special brand of enthusiasm and knowledge to the role and I know everyone at Triathlon Australia is as excited as he is to accept this position,” said Savage.

“He will take over the whole program and run it his way with plenty of support from Triathlon Australia but Dan will shape and mould the program and put his own stamp on it.

“The Gold Coast HP Centre provides a great opportunity for Dan and the athletes and I’m sure it will be a major attraction to draw other athletes into the program.

“Dan did a great job developing his team while he was in Brisbane and he also brought an instant level of professionalism to the program in Perth and the results over the last 12 months are testament to that.”

Atkins is the first to admit he “has a big set of boots to fill” taking over from Craig Walton, who has left coaching to pursue other business interests.

“I like pressure – I need to test myself and taking over from Craig will be a major test – he has left an amazing legacy,” said Atkins.

“Craig and I have always had a great working relationship and that won’t change. To have his help and guidance will be a major part of me taking over the role.

“But this is a great opportunity for me and another stepping stone in my career – it’s an honour and privilege to take over from Craig and I will continue to aspire to one day joining him as a coach of an Olympic gold medallist.

“I am really looking forward to the role and can’t wait to get my hands on it.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do in a short space of time and Jaz will join the group in the lead up to Edmonton and then make up her mind when she comes back as to where she wants to stay.

“But I believe what this Gold Coast National Performance Centre offers in facilities and support will be very attractive to athletes wanting to take the next step in their international careers.

“It will be like diving in the deep end, holding your stream lining as long as you can and seeing how far you come out in front.”

Issued on behalf of Triathlon Australia by Ian Hanson

 

Ian Hanson| Media Manager Triathlon Australia
Managing Director
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