AusTriathlon is thrilled to confirm the appointment of Non Stanford-Royle OLY MBE and Brendan Sexton OLY as coaches within the Olympic and Paralympic Programs, strengthening efforts to develop Australia’s next generation of triathlon champions.
Stanford-Royle has been appointed as Ascent Academy Coach, where she will focus on developing emerging triathlon talent, while Sexton takes on the role of Paralympic Pathways Coach, leading the charge to guide Paralympic athletes along their journey to international success.
Non Stanford-Royle joins as Ascent Academy Coach
World Champion and Olympian Non Stanford-Royle has been appointed as the first of two Ascent Academy Coaches.
Currently a Performance Coach with British Triathlon’s highly successful World Class Programme in Leeds, Stanford-Royle has worked alongside some of Great Britain’s most accomplished athletes, coaches, and performance staff.
AusTriathlon High Performance Director, Shaun Stephens, says Stanford-Royle’s appointment is a key step in strengthening the Ascent Academy program.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Non to the AusTriathlon family,” Stephens said.
“Her exceptional athletic background, combined with her growing coaching experience, and outstanding personal attributes and leadership qualities makes her the perfect fit for our Ascent Academy program.
“We are confident that her expertise will inspire and guide our young athletes to achieve their full potential.”
The Ascent Academy is dedicated to identifying and developing Australia’s most promising triathletes, providing them with the resources and support necessary to excel on the international stage. As Ascent Academy Coach, Stanford-Royle will be one of two coaches to lead the development of some of the country’s most promising talent.
Eager to play a role in Australia’s pathway to Brisbane 2032, Stanford-Royle spoke about her passion for mentoring emerging athlete and continuing the nation’s rich triathlon legacy.
“I am incredibly grateful to AusTriathlon for entrusting me with the task of guiding the future talent of triathlon in Australia as we build towards a home Games,” Stanford-Royle said.
“I am no stranger to the rich heritage of the sport in the country, and the huge impact its athletes have had over the years, and I look forward to supporting the continuation of their successful legacy for many years to come.
“I can’t wait to start working with Shaun and the rest of the newly appointed Senior Leadership Team to deliver on an ambitious yet exciting strategy for 2032 and beyond.”
Stanford-Royle will relocate from Great Britain to Australia with her husband, two-time Olympian and Paralympic guide Aaron Royle, and will commence her role on May 3.
Following an extensive recruitment process, AusTriathlon will confirm the second Ascent Academy Coach in the coming weeks.
Brendan Sexton appointed as Paralympic Pathways Coach
Olympian and coach Brendan Sexton has been appointed as AusTriathlon’s Paralympic Pathways Coach.
Sexton’s coaching experience includes currently serving as AusTriathlon’s National Junior Coach and previously as National Talent Development Coach, where he played a pivotal role in identifying and developing emerging athletes.
AusTriathlon High Performance Director Shaun Stephens says Sexton’s appointment will significantly enhance efforts to develop and support para triathletes, ensuring a bright future for the sport in Australia.
“We are delighted to welcome Brendan to the AusTriathlon Paralympic program,” Stephens said.
“His experience and dedication to athlete development will be invaluable as we strive to strengthen our para triathlon program and achieve success on the world stage.”
As Paralympic Pathways Coach, Sexton will lead the Paralympic Pathway Hub, a collaboration between AusTriathlon, Paralympics Australia, and the Victorian Institute of Sport.
He will coach a small squad of athletes, oversee paratriathlon pathway activities and training camps, and work closely with coaches and support staff to foster a high-performance environment for Australia’s future Paralympic triathletes.
Recognising Australia’s position at the forefront of para triathlon, Sexton shared his eagerness to contribute to a program that continues to set the benchmark on the world stage.
“Para triathlon is in such an exciting space and right now the Australian team is leading the charge,” Sexton said.
“I feel privileged to be joining a program that is setting the standard of performance in the sport and excited at contributing to the next generation.”
Sexton will continue in his current role until the end of March, after which he will transition into his new position over the following months, ensuring a seamless handover for the athletes currently under his guidance.
He will relocate to Melbourne, where he will work closely with Paralympics Australia and the Victorian Institute of Sport.
Further strengthening the Paralympic Program is the appointment of Toby Coote in a part time capacity as a Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Gen32 Program Coach.
With the support of the QAS, Coote will be assisting the para triathlon pathway in Queensland with the identification and development of future aspiring para-triathletes.
Both Sexton and Coote are coaches in the Gen32 Program, delivering a structured development curriculum to support their growth as high performance coaches.
