Tri NZ Chief Executive Officer Pete De Wet has vowed to “advance our sport across the South Pacific” after being elected the new President of Oceania Triathlon.
De Wet succeeds Australia’s Michelle Cooper in the confederation’s top role and will represent the region on the World Triathlon Executive throughout the four year term.
Tri NZ President Natalie Smith was also elected to the confederation’s new look, five-board during Saturday evening’s Oceania Congress, held virtually.
The board, headed by De Wet, features new Vice President Lani Wendt Young (Samoa), Smith, Tim Harradine (Australia) and Athlete Representative Manami Iijima (Guam).
Wendt Young is Secretary General of Tri Sports Samoa, Harradine CEO of AusTriathlon, while Iijima created history when she represented Guam in the women’s individual at the Paris Olympic Games.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Oceania Triathlon Board, and want to thank the national federations across the region for their support,” De Wet said.
“We have a very strong board, and I am looking forward to working with them, and the wider region to continue to advance our sport across the South Pacific.”
De Wet’s win in Saturday’s election was greeted with enthusiasm by new World Triathlon Antonio Fernandez Arimany (pictured below).
“We congratulate Pete on his appointment as the new President of Oceania Triathlon,” Arimany said in a message from Spain.
“We look forward to working with him and his team to advance the sport in the region, following the inspiring example set by Manami Iijima from Guam, the first athlete from Oceania, other than those from Australia or New Zealand, to qualify for the Olympic Games.”
De Wet continued the mutual appreciation game, thanking Cooper, also the immediate past President of AusTriathlon, for her service to the region.
“I want to thank Michelle Cooper, and the rest of her board, which included New Zealand’s Shanelle Barrett, for leaving a solid foundation that we can continue to build on.
“There is lots for us to do, including continuing to build towards the Mini Pacific Games taking place in Palau in the middle of next year. We’re determined to hit the ground running, knowing we will have strong support from the World Triathlon Development Team, led by Zita Csovelyak.”
De Wet is closing in on three years at the helm of Triathlon New Zealand. He is also a Board Member at He Toa Taua – Harbour Sport.
