NEWS

Interval undertakes 2017 Professional Triathletes Income Survey

Interval has undertaken the first survey of professional triathletes which assesses the cash income from sponsors, other support from sponsors, race winnings and sports funding obtained by the UK’s professional triathletes.  Our survey is based on a significant number of respondents across the professional scene, and includes athletes who raced at Olympics in London & Rio, at World Triathlon Series, World Cups, Ironman, Super League and Challenge races.  The survey uses information from the athletes for the athletes, and all repondents will be provided with a “sponsorship market review” which highlights the trends in sponsorship at various levels of triathlon racing as a pro.  The results are important for established pros, and also early career triathletes racing at short and long course distances, and it highlights the significant challenges of looking to earn a living doing the sport they love.  

One key trend of note is the increasing importance and generosity of corporate sponsors, outside of the traditional swim, bike and run partners, in providing athletes with real cash income.  Athletes are having to work hard to get real cash income from sports brands, with run and apparel sponsors the most generous with the cash, followed by swim brands, with nutrition and bike brands falling well behind, which most likely reflects investment in other areas such as professional cycling.

The information from the survey is invaluable in our work advising athletes on opportunities for them to work with sports and corporate brands.  

If you are a professional triathlete and would like to take part in the survey and receive the “sponsorship market review” get in touch with us.

Interval completes study on Motivations of Triathletes

Interval has completed the UK’s most in depth study of the motivations of triathletes along the pathway from novices, enthusiasts to experienced “Age Group” athletes. Motivations of elite triathletes were also studied including Olympians, 70.3 World Champions and those racing the World Triathlon Series. Undertaken through Loughborough University, the study identified the importance of goal achievement, challenge, personal growth and learning.

Triathlon was seen to become quickly integrated into peoples lives and routines. Analysis of the results found over twenty categories of motivational drivers, which were found to change over time to reflect the athletes’ history and involvement in the sport. The results provide a unique and deep insight into the reasons people do triathlon of use to coaches, sports marketers and sport managers such as British Triathlon who were involved in the study.

Giving Something Back

Interval has provided funding to growing businesses in the endurance sports market. The first recipients of our Sporting Growth initiative being Team Triumph www.team-triumph.com who received a grant to purchase equipment for their triathlon coaching business and providing a working capital buffer to allow them book costly resources and maximise opportunities to provide training days to age groupers.

BTF Annual Report Highlights the Continued Growth & Increasing Diversity of Triathlon

British Triathlon and Triathlon England published their annual report earlier this month https://www.britishtriathlon.org/britain/documents/about/policy-documents/annual-reports/annual-report-2017_digital.pdf. The report outlines how they are working to increase diversity in the sport and comply with UK Sports New Code for Sport Governance.
As far as Annual Reports go, it’s a great read and hits a high standard in communications of these issues, and really demonstrates the importance BTF/TE place on good governance as well as performance. It is their belief that successful management leads to successful performances by world-class athletes and it’s clear that they are setting some firm foundations down. Interval has experience of the benchmarking and improvement of governance practices, and we have seen a real improvement in the year in how British Triathlon are addressing this challenge, and they are clearly positioning themselves well in the governance landscape alongside the improvements in the competitive arena.