Triathlon to set up high performance centre in Cambridge

Cambridge is rapidly becoming a focal point for high performance sport in this country with Triathlon New Zealand the latest to establish their national high performance centre there.

Cycling and rowing have also established their bases at the Waikato town and that was a factor in Tri NZ's decision. They will operate out of the new Avantidrome cycling complex from April, sharing facilities there, and will also utilise facilities at nearby St Peters School, including the 25m outdoor heated swimming pool. There is also a 50m pool in town and Lake Karapiro offers open water swimming.

Nelson and Christchurch were also on the shortlist.

"When all factors are looked at Cambridge offers excellent training in all three disciplines and has an outstanding high performance culture ringing throughout its community, backed up proactively by the likes of High Performance Sport New Zealand, surrounding institutions and education, and the Waipa Council," Tri NZ high performance director Graeme Maw said.

"The NHPC will provide the complete professional development for generations of Kiwi triathletes aspiring to achieve success on the Olympic stage. It will be the complete academy for triathlon excellence focused of course on training allied with education in sporting skills and culture, academic support and personal development."

The decision to base themselves in Cambridge comes on the back of last week's announcement of a 14-strong, three-tiered high performance squad for 2013. Three triathletes - Andrea Hewitt, Kate McIlroy and Ryan Sissons - are in the elite (podium) squad with six in the podium development and five the development group.

The podium athletes won't be based at the high performance centre as they follow their own programmes but will train there on a regular basis. The development athletes, who are primarily in the 18-23 age group category, will base themselves there for 30-35 weeks of the year.