The Indian Triathlon Academy in pursuit of further development and experience in training and racing has established an Australian Training Base in the beautiful Shoalhaven Region on the New South Wales South Coast.

Shoalhaven Heads Home for Academy.

Welcome To Shoalhaven Heads School

The Academy is based at Shoalhaven Heads which is located on the picturesque Shoalhaven River and the southern end of Seven Mile Beach.  Academy athletes will be based here between January and April each year.

The Shoalhaven Region is an ideal area for athletes to train as it offers a mixture of quiet country roads, energy sapping climbs in and out of Kangaroo Valley in addition to some lovely runs around the beach, river or along the quiet village roads.   Seven Mile Beach National Park also offers athletes some quiet and demanding running trails, and swimming is well catered for with the river, ocean and local swimming pool creating an ideal environment for athletes to develop their water skills.

Climbing out of Kangaroo Valley, Australia

The support of the local community at Shoalhaven Heads has been overwhelming.   Shoalhaven Heads Chamber of Commerce, who coordinated the Academy’s activities in the Shoalhaven, organized for athletes of Academy to participate in a number of activities to welcome and introduce them to life in Australia.

Dolphin Cruise on Jervis Bay, Australia

These included a Mayoral Reception at Shoalhaven Heads Bowling and Recreation Club on arrival, a Beach Sports Day at Shoalhaven Heads Beach with the local children, dolphin watching on Jervis Bay and grape picking and wine making at Seven Mile Winery.   

Athletes visited a number of local schools and spoke about life in India and had the opportunity to compare school life in Australia to their own experiences in India.

Kavya Introduces the Team

The generosity of the community of Shoalhaven Heads is something that was very much appreciated by the Academy.

Presentation to Ken Merriefield for his support

Mr. Ken Merriefield, who was instrumental in bringing the Academy to the area along with Mr. John Wells of Shoalhaven Council, managed to secure sponsorship from the Shoalhaven Heads Bowling and Recreation Club to provide the Academy’s accommodation in Shoalhaven Heads.

The sponsorship will also help to establish an exchange program between The Indian Triathlon Academy and Shoalhaven City.   This Sport and Cultural Exchange Program will give 3 young people from the Shoalhaven, the opportunity to visit the Indian Triathlon Academy in Chennai, India and also visit and participate in a number of sporting, educational and cultural activities during their stay.   It is hoped this program will develop long and lasting friendships and also promote understanding and cultural awareness.   This will be a reciprocal arrangement where those young people selected to visit India will host the Academy athletes during their stay in Australia on number of educational, sporting and cultural visits to further enhance their understanding of life in Australia.

The Morgan family of Mick, Razz, Josh and Bianca were wonderful hosts and the athletes very much enjoyed their company, the games of cricket along with all the fun on the river.

Academy Athlete with Host Family " The Morgans "

A Grateful Academy recognise the contribution of 'Mausi' and Daughter Naomi in Australia

A very special mention goes to local resident Ms. Khatoon Wootton or Mausi as the team calls her.   ‘Mausi’ (meaning mother’s sister in Hindi and is a term of affection) and her lovely daughter Naomi welcomed the athletes into their home each evening for dinner.   Mausi had previously owned and operated a very successful Indian Restaurant in nearby Bomaderry and the athletes were the very grateful recipients of her magnificent cooking abilities and appreciated their own little reminder of home in Shoalhaven Heads.

The Indian Triathlon Academy look forward to the next few years, not just training in the Shoalhaven, but becoming part of the local community.   We hope that as we approach the Olympics in 2008 and all the other International Competition leading up to this, that the people of Shoalhaven will have significantly contributed to our program and will feel part of our achievements.

Australian Training Base @ Shoalhaven Heads