A sense of family and support from the start has helped Rotorua Association of Triathletes (Rats) score the nation's coveted Triathlon Club of the Year award.
Triathlon NZ presented the club with the annual award in recognition of the outstanding service it provides in the sport.
The national organisation said nominations received
for Rats showed an overwhelming sense of community at the club as well as a warm, friendly and encouraging environment.
One nomination said the club had "become my second family. We train together, race together and socialise together".
Others said it had "a great culture, encouraging all to do well", "it has been the most supportive club I have been involved in" and "just fantastic, friendly people".
The club supports beginners right through to elite athletes, whether it's cheering on Sam Osborne in the elite Contact Tri Series races or helping beginners complete the shorter 3:9:3 events.
Rats also runs a huge variety of training sessions each week and has seen membership numbers continue to boom - it has more than 200.
Triathlon NZ's membership manager Claire Attwood said it was clear that Rats had great support within the local triathlon community.
"I want to congratulate the club, and particularly the hard-working committee who obviously bring a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to all they do.
"This award is certainly well deserved for a club that installs great values and showcases a true sense of community."
Rats organises the Blue Lake Multisport Festival, which this year celebrated 25 years. Its members compete at every distance of triathlon and last season sent a big contingent to races in Wanaka, Kinloch and Ohope.
It also organises the annual Winter Duathlon Series. The second race is this Sunday, based at the Waipa car park.
