Triathlon New Zealand High Performance Director Graeme Maw has announced today that he has resigned from his role, effective from Christmas, after a four-year tenure that has seen the implementation of Tri NZ’s 2020 HP Strategy.
Maw made the call after considerable thought and discussion with those close to him.
“After four years of leading change, I feel I have taken the HP programme as far as I can. I recognise that performances and culture are not yet where they need to be, and it is time for someone else to take the reins for the next step.
“With the help of many excellent colleagues, we have achieved many of the operational priorities of the 2020 HP Plan including: establishing a National High Performance Centre with full-time coaching and expert support (in Cambridge); launching a National Talent Programme with eyes and ears around the country, healthy domestic competition and athletes now transitioning to the international stage; and challenging and evidence-based parameters for talent development and selection.
“With the framework of this performance pathway in place, allied with a growing network of forward-looking coaches and a fertile partnership in Japan, I have no doubt that success is not very far away. It has been a privilege to hold the position with Triathlon New Zealand, and encourage everyone to keep raising the bar for the future.”
Triathlon New Zealand President Arthur Klap acknowledged the work put in by Maw and others over a four year period, a time that demanded change and investment in the infrastructure and pathways necessary to return the sport to the top of the world in what is now a hugely competitive and truly international sport.
“Graeme came to Triathlon New Zealand with the big challenge of developing a high performance squad base and building an emphasis on talent development. This was a major change from how the triathlon High Performance Programme had operated previously and he had to overcome a number of obstacles over his four years in charge.
“Much was achieved by Graeme and he brought a very analytical and systematic approach to the training programmes that gave the Tri NZ Board a clear understanding of how our athletes were progressing.
“Unfortunately, our results have not yet followed, including this year in Rio and Cozumel, and that has been a disappointment for Graeme and the High Performance team. It is to Graeme’s credit, that he is stepping aside to allow someone else to come in to develop the athletic performances we all want to see in Tokyo in 2020. The establishment of the talent pathway and the regional coach network by Graeme has set the sport up well through to 2024.
“We wish Graeme all the best in whatever he now moves on to and thank him for his total commitment to triathlon in New Zealand.”
The sport will continue to plan towards 2020 and beyond on the back of that strong infrastructure, with the Regional Academies, National Talent Squad and National High Performance Centre providing the framework for athletes and coaches to learn, thrive and develop towards elite status from a young age.
The partnership with the Japanese Triathlon Union is also amongst the highlight of Maw’s time as HPD, with strong ties established with the hosts of the 2020 Olympic Games, in particular at junior and development levels with coaches and athletes enjoying an open exchange of ideas and gaining vital international experience.
