Exciting development for the triSASSY programme – February 2024

In late 2019, Triathlon Tauranga partnered with two local intermediate schools (Papamoa College and Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School) to co-design and deliver a new pilot programme called triSASSY for young females who are not currently participating in any organised physical activity. Across 16 week blocks (2 school terms), young females aged 11-13 years were supported to be physically active, in whatever way works for them, by giving them a safe space to explore movement, gain self-confidence and create new relationships through connections with others, ending with the cohort completing the Women’s Triathlon.

Following the success of the initial pilot, triSASSY has gone from absolute strength to strength. Impacting over 400 young females, delivered by four coaches across five schools (expanding to include Wharekura o Mauao, Te Puna School, and Mount Intermediate), resulting in more than 11,000 hours of dedicated time on physical activity and wellbeing over the last four years. Over this time, however, the focus has shifted from the initial pilot to support the increasing emotional, social, and mental health needs of young females post Covid, as well as important changes to the activities, moving it away from its initial triathlon-focus.

Acknowledging the change in focus and to ensure the future success of the programme, triSASSY will be rebranding and moving to a new charitable trust board called, Spark Success Trust under the leadership of Kathy Miller and her coaching team. There are also plans under this Trust to add programmes for other youth sectors, ages, and stages in the future to sit alongside TrySassy that align with a broader remit.

On behalf of Triathlon Tauranga, we sincerely wish to thank our members, funders, and sponsors for believing in the pilot and supporting its success over the last four years and enabling the club to provide this innovative programme for our community. The Triathlon Tauranga committee is incredibly excited to see the programme flourish in 2024 and beyond and continue to support Kathy in her new endeavour.

We look forward to sharing more information on TrySassy and Spark Success Trust in the near future and your continued support.

Suzanne Board, President, Triathlon Tauranga   

&          

Kathy Miller, TrySASSY Coordinator, Spark Success Trust