Juniors

Don’t they say “never work with children and animals”?…..

Optima Junior Racing Team, was set up in Summer, 2005. Since then the junior team has grown year on year and is an important part of Optima Racing Team. Optima Racing Team is very proud of what our juniors have achieved over the last 4 years. We’ve watched children who joined 4 years ago as beginner Tristars with no experience in triathlon being coached to competing at a junior elite level. The junior team have achieved some great improvements in individual performance as well as a team. They are both male and female junior national relay champions 2009 making them the most successful junior team in the UK.

TRISTART/TRISTAR (8-14 years*)
For our Tristart and Tristar age groups our philosophy is fun, technique and trying to develop a positive environment for the juniors to train in so they are inspired to carry on with a healthy and energetic lifestyle in years to come and hopefully continue to do triathlon. At this age we encourage children to participate in different sports.

YOUTH (15 & 16 years*)
When our Tristars become youths we are looking for them to step up their commitment a little, as the fun and rewards of training come from dedication and improving performance. As we all know, if you don’t put in some hard yards you end up achieving nothing. For this age group it’s an important time of their school lives with GCSEs so there is an emphasis on time management skills, skills they can take into their adults lives.

JUNIOR (17 -19 years*)
For the 17-19 year olds much like the Youth age group we expect another step up in commitment for the sport so they can reap the rewards of their dedication. This age group forms the link to our senior team and for the talented ones they do some of the training with the seniors – keeping the seniors on their toes!

* All Ages as at 31 December of the relevant year (ie. age as at end of year)