Triathlon: Koenders takes on leader's role

It's triathlete Fred Koenders' first foray into team management. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Hawke's Bay triathlete Fred Koenders finds it special to wear the silver fern but on his trip to China this month it will be in a different role.

The EIT dean of commerce and technology is taking time off faculty duties to co-lead a Triathlon New Zealand team to the World Long Course Triathlon Champs in Weihai.

The triathletes will compete over the 4km swim, 120km bike and 20km run distance.

Having competed over the Olympic distance at the 2011 World Championship in Beijing, Koenders has first-hand experience of sport in the Chinese environment. He also works on Chinese university relationships for EIT.

Triathlon NZ took those factors into account in selecting him to jointly lead the team.

The 37 Kiwis travelling to the coastal city in eastern Shandong province will include Tri Hawke's Bay athlete Emma Mackie, who will be competing in the 25-29 age group.

Koenders has been involved with triathlon for 25 years and this is his first foray into team management. However, that doesn't mean he won't continue to compete at a high level.

"I am expanding my involvement in triathlon to include participation in this voluntary management role."

He and co-manager Jeff McGrath, of Taranaki, left with the team on Saturday with competition starting from this Sunday.