HUUB Academy Launch Supports Sporting Ambitions

HUUB Academy Launch Supports Sporting Ambitions

A new club for budding youngsters and adults looking to enter their first triathlon has been launched in Derby.

The HUUB Academy is the brainchild of Dean Jackson the owner of triathlon wetsuit and kit company HUUB Design and long-established triathlon coach Hilary Johnson – the mother and coach of elite triathlete twins Tom and David Bishop.

Based at HUUB Design’s offices at the Park Bikeworks in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, The HUUB Academy already has more than 20 junior and adult members and a weekly training programme.

Hilary Johnson is a former social worker who has run her own personal trainer and coaching business HJ Coaching for the past three years.

A former cyclo cross national champion, she is also the team manager for the East Midlands Inter Regional Championships Triathlon Team and a level three British Triathlon coach and mentor for the organisation.

She has been joined by Jason Jones who is also a highly-qualified coach and has represented Wales in the Commonwealth Games’ triathlon events.

She explained: “The aims of the HUUB Academy is that it is a friendly and inclusive club – supporting youngsters and adults alike to develop their skills and compete in the growing local triathlon and duathlon calendar.

“Many of our members want to train with all three triathlon sports of swim, cycle and run but others prefer to concentrate on one discipline which is fine.

“Our main objective is for everyone to enjoy their sport and to break down the barriers to them participating at whatever level they choose.”

HUUB Design’s Dean Jackson continued: “As triathlon kit designers, we work with some of the top triathletes in the world such as the Brownlee brothers and have always been keen to support younger sports people as part of their elite pathway – including the Bishops.

“I have been keen to develop this further and set up an Academy to introduce more young people and adults into the sport and support them on their development journey.

“Our sister company HUUB Events is the driving force behind the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon which will be held at Markeaton Park on Sunday July 23 and the new Staunton Harold Triathlon on Sunday June 11.

“Many local people are joining these and other events and had asked us to help with their training.  We have also incorporated junior competitions at both of these events to make it something for everyone to enjoy.

“I am therefore delighted that Hilary and Jason have agreed to lead The HUUB Academy. They have the perfect combination of coaching skills, passion for the sport and a great sense of fun to ensure that everyone achieves their own personal goals and really enjoys the whole experience.”

Hilary Johnson added that the HUUB Academy was also important to support young people onto the triathlete elite pathway and following in the footsteps of her sons Tom and David Bishop.

Twenty five-year-old twins Tom and David Bishop are both accomplished triathletes and Tom came second in the first ITU event in Abu Dhabi.  He is part of the GB triathlon squad which is training for Tokyo 2020.

Hilary said: “The East Midlands is extremely strong in triathlon and we have a number of young athletes who are on the elite pathway with their sights set on international competition.

“To maintain this momentum, it is important that we support and coach children in the right way and help them to develop on the sporting pathway if that is their goal.

“Tom and David will be coming to some of the sessions to work with the Academy members and I know they will be an inspiration to the youngsters and adult members.”

The HUUB Academy is working with HUUB Events and Peak Performance triathlon club to stage a Junior Duathlon event of cycling and running at Darley Moor race track in Ashbourne on Saturday May 27.

Hilary concluded: “This event is a perfect example of our whole ethos.  There are different distances for different age groups and, as well as being a qualifying event for the East and West Midlands’ regional triathlon series – it will be a great introduction for children new to cycling and running.”

The Junior Duathlon on May 27 is open to youngsters aged eight to 16. Anyone can enter and do not have to be a member of a club.  All they need is a pair of trainers, a roadworthy bike and a bike helmet.

Families also have the opportunity to camp overnight free of charge at the race track so that adults can take part in a duathlon for 17-year-olds and over at the venue the following day organised by Crazy Legs Events.  The adult duathlon consists of a 5km run and 20km cycle finishing with a further 5km run.

Juniors aged eight upwards can also be part of the first Staunton Harold Triathlon on June 11.  They will tackle a shorter circuit - swimming 100m in the before running 1.5km around the estate to finish in front of the house.

Competitors in the adult triathlon have a choice of two different distances. The Super sprint will start with a 400m swim in the lake and then a 14km bike ride and 4km run through the estate. The Sprint distance course will be a 750m swim, 28km bike and 8km run. A junior event with shorter distances is also being planned.

The Jenson Button Trust Triathlon is the opportunity for elite, seasoned and novice triathletes as well as teams of three in the Team Challenge, to compete alongside Formula 1 McLaren Honda racing driver Jenson Button in a day of sport.

Everyone will get the chance to race twice. The preliminary will consist of a 200m swim in Markeaton Lake; 10km cycle from the park and on closed roads into the city’s Cathedral Quarter before returning to the park to complete a 2.5km run.

In the individual event, the top male and female performers will then go on to the finals – completing a 400m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run, with the runners up entering the wooden spoon race.  

The Team Challenge participants will race again in the afternoon over the Super Sprint distance and the team with the fastest average time will emerge victorious.

Youngsters can tackle a shorter course of 50m swim, 2.5km cycle and a 750m run alongside an adult free of charge – crossing the finish line under the giant JBTT gantry.

For more information about entering all these junior and adult events this spring and summer, please visit www.huubevents.com

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