Ahead of a home World Championships in October this year, triathlon athletes of all ages are putting in the hard work in hopes they will be given the opportunity to represent their country.
Triathlete from Victoria, Zac Booth, is looking to qualify for the 2025 Australian Age Group Team in the Male 16 – 19 division.
“I first got into triathlon through running and general fitness,” Booth said.
“Then my school put out an advertisement to be involved in a Fun Tri, and I gave that a go and really enjoyed it.
“A friend of mine then offered to join the coaching program I am a part of now and we started training together and the more I did it, the more I loved it and I’ve stuck with it and progressed from there.”
Throughout the years, the chances to travel for competition and create lasting friendships has been what Zac enjoys most, but the potential to earn the green and gold is the end goal.
“A favourite part of triathlon for me has definitely been travelling to national competitions,” he said.
“As well as creating memories racing, spending time with mates and making good connections – the Devonport course has to take top spot so far – it is such a good course.
“To qualify for my first age group team and represent Australia would mean the world.
“That would be just so amazing to be honest, and to think about where I’ve come to get here and to represent my country is a pretty big deal – I think that would be pretty cool.”
Aiming to be involved in both the sprints and the mixed team relay, Zac’s passion for triathlon and appreciation for the community the sport creates is what drives him to improve.
“I am keen to do the sprints, which is mostly what I have done so far and I love it,” Booth said.
“It’s a good distance, and it’s pretty challenging – it’s a good fast pace, which is nice.
“Then in the relay, I think it adds a different element to triathlon, and it can make it a lot more interesting.
“Obviously getting to meet your teammates, or if you already know them, it’s about having that team aspect in an individual sport that almost gives you that extra push.
“The sport has such an amazing community, and some of my best mates to this day have come from triathlon.
“My involvement in the national programs has allowed me to make connections all over the country, which has been so amazing, and now when I travel, I’ve got mates I can go train with. It’s just a really supportive community.”
Having competed in selection races across the country, including Adelaide, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, Zac encourages anyone considering qualifying for the World Championships to dive in and take that leap.
“Just do it – it’s obviously a big leap of faith, but if you don’t give it a go, you never know how it could turn out,” he said.
“You’re always going to find some benefit out of it, no matter what.
“Just knowing that you’ve tried and you might find something new that you love and enjoy, like if I didn’t take the leap I would have never discovered that I love the sport and I think that’s the biggest thing.”
If you are interested in finding your unstoppable, the 2025 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team Expression of Interest Applications will close at 5pm AEST on Monday the 28th of April 2025, click here to find out more.
The Preliminary 2025 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team will be announced on the AusTriathlon website by 5pm AEST on Monday the 26th of May 2025.
