Dear All,
The COVID-19 impact has already been so significant that everyone will have been affected and it is at times like these that I would like to reiterate that although Warringah Triathlon Club is the greatest Triathlon Club in the world, it is also as much a community club that now we need to be actively part of the community support network and do our part in controlling the spread of COVID-19.
We all have a role to play to support others in our community, look out for neighbours and family and reach out if you need help. Keep connected to your family, friends, work colleagues through phone, email, social media and even strava where possible. The priority is to keep everyone healthy, that means reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19, whilst keeping active and maintaining a balance in our lives to assist with good mental health.
We are, comparatively to a lot of other areas in the world, extremely lucky that we live in Australia, on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, with relatively low diagnosed COVID-19 for which we are thankful and have the ability to continue to exercise.  
I have been so impressed with the daily exercises posted on FB, the weekly strava segments, and the monthly strava challenges, all being done compliantly with social distancing. Great work and thanks to Shannon Quartly and Deanna Waters for their great work setting these up and recording the times! We intend to continue to provide mechanisms to continue engagement, set goals and maintain interaction between members, please get involved and give us your feedback we love to hear from you.
Let’s plan to get through the COVID pandemic with optimism, resilience and whatever is necessary to ensure we remain healthy and assist each other in life and triathlon. Our steps back to training, racing and interaction will follow the National Guideline for Resumption of Triathlon that include: -
Back to Group Training
The COVID order restrictions changed on 15 May 2020 and Triathlon Australia, issued a National Guideline for Resumption of Triathlon on 28th May 2020. The pertinent items for our training are that in NSW are that outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed, use of outdoor equipment with caution and outdoor pools to open with restrictions will. For some of us it’s also welcome that cafes and restaurants are reopening too.
We plan to reinitiate the regular weekly WTC training sessions, subject to controls that will be in place: -
Saturday Cycle – Recommencing 6.00am Saturday 30th May 2020 - Matt Brown as group leader, depart opposite BA, Pittwater Road, Manly.
Mid-Week Cycle Squad (Tuesday /Thursday) – Recommencing 5.30am Tuesday 2nd June - DY to Church Point return, departing DY United, Pittwater Road Dee Why.
Tuesday evening run squad – Recommencing 6.30pm Tuesday 2nd June - Mick Smith coaching the group – meet at Queenscliff Surf Club.
In all these sessions should more than 10 people join, the group will split immediately with a second group leader.
Outside of the WTC formal training sessions we encourage you to continue to create your own groups, where you control the numbers, less than 10 and continue to train safely.
It is imperative that WTC demonstrates exemplary compliance to COVID orders and respect for each other in these sessions to account for the safety of all members;
During activity
• Follow directions as per physical distancing min 1.5m.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Avoid spitting, sneezing, coughing (if you have to isolate yourself at the back of the group)
• Do not share food, drinks, equipment, or towels.
• Maintain social distancing when taking any breaks.
• Wear any gear to the session and leave as soon as possible after finishing and shower/change at home.
After session
• Wash hands or sanitize thoroughly after leaving.
• Clean equipment after each session.
• No groups should congregate before or after training.
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Common sense dictates that if you have even the mildest symptoms, you should not be joining a training group, stay at home. If anyone is confirmed a COVID case that has attended any club session please advise any member of the committee.

Club Races
Under the COVID Framework, return to sport, step 3 is forecast to allow community sporting events up to 100 participants, so its most likely that our club races will be the first type events to be permissible and sanctioned. As such we are working on having all approvals and sanctioning in place for events from August, if step 3 is in place at that time, with additional controls to manage social distancing, that Deanna and I have already been working on, we will be hosting races. The proposed calendar of dates will be available shortly, although bear with us as we must remain flexible dependent on the wider status of Covid Orders in the future.
Club Champs
Club Champs are rescheduled for 19th September 2020, if all goes well, we will be looking to take a huge WTC contingent to Forster to be able to enjoy racing as club and supporting each other. We have rebooked the accommodation for the weekend, but will wait for confirmation of the event before releasing any more rooms, if the event is cancelled those who have paid for accommodation will get a full refund and entry fees will be transferable to future Elite Energy events. I have been in contact with TriNSW who are working on control plans that are aimed to facilitate us all to race. Save the date we need you all and want to have you there!
Other races
We are looking at the ‘way back’ to other races with currently with Ironman Australia, Port Mac 70.3, Western Sydney 70.3, Cairns Ironman & 70.3 all scheduled for September and Wollongong Olympic and Tri Husky Festival in October, of course there are risks these races may not occur, but we keeping close communication with Ironman and Elite Energy as to the status of these forecast races. Subject to controls in place at the time the club will be looking to support WTC members at these races. We will keep you informed of updates when circumstances change.
Membership Renewals
Membership renewals for next season are due 1st July and I am keen that we keep the club (community) together. The uncertainty of racing and individuals’ personal circumstances may provide doubt for some about renewing their membership, but I encourage you to remain part of the WTC family and remember this is your club.
I have been communicating with TriNSW regarding the renewals and lobbied for an appropriate consideration or deferral of the TA annual membership fee. Notwithstanding that the advice received is that TA are offering a 5% discount on renewals in June / July, which can only be considered a token offering. However, TriNSW have also advised me that that they are able to assist and support members, on a case by case basis, for those who wish to renew in season 2020/2021, but have suffered severe, COVID-19 induced, financial hardship by contacting Adam Wicks TriNSW CEO. [email protected]
The WTC component of the annual adult membership will remain at $50, noting that we calculated the benefit of membership if you raced as members the discounted club races, took advantage of the kit discount, free shirts, caps and swim caps members were provided with over $300 each, plus all our supported races, training sessions, social events, information nights etc.
We propose to ensure we continue to offer great value to all members and in the current circumstances the committee is unanimous that we are particularly committed to encourage members to stay connected and supported. As such we will ensure that all renewing members will be provided additional benefit immediately following renewal this year through club race entries or kit discounts.
If you have any concerns regarding renewing your membership or feedback please contact me. 
2019/20 Presentation Awards
We are still keen to have a 2019/20 presentation awards ceremony, but obviously currently restricted, although we are tentatively looking at a date in October. Whatever happens we will ensure we recognise and celebrate the phenomenal achievements of our members in the season and we will keep you informed when we have more certainty.
 
Keep safe and I look forward to seeing you out there!
 
David Wiles
[email protected] or FB Messenger through the WTC member Facebook page.