Sporting Pride are delighted to partner with Triathlon Ireland to introduce both beginners and long term athletes to the wonderful sport of Triathlon through our upcoming tailored training programme. With swimming being more difficult to engage with due to COVID restrictions we will begin with a duathlon. This means that participants will train for a run-bike-run event, making it the perfect opportunity to take a step into the world of triathlon without having to dive into the cold winter seawater!

This six-week training programme will account for possible further restrictions in the new year, and completeable within a restricted radius if needs be. It kicks off in January so there’s still a few weeks to dust off the runners and ask Santa for that bike.

The end goal is to complete a duathlon in early 2021 (restrictions dependant) at an event that will be inclusive of all members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies who signed up. This event is made possible through the Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together fund and the generous support of Triathlon Ireland.

We are hosting an online event with Triathlon Ireland in early December that will cover the finer details of the programme, with the video available on the Sporting Pride website for anyone who misses the live event. Nikki Bradley from Triathlon Ireland states that “the programme is aimed at anyone interested in trying something new and exciting in the New Year. There are huge benefits to regular exercise especially now with many working from home. Having some time to yourself to work on your own goals makes all the diff erence.”

So what are you waiting for? Take up the challenge and push yourself to try something diff erent in 2021! Contact info@sportingpride.ie for more information.

Let’s Walk and Talk in Limerick

Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Limerick and their allies are invited to join a new Walk and Talk group which will begin in early December. The aim is to provide a safe space to get active and support physical and mental wellbeing during this difficult time. Walking is an accessible form of exercise that can be as intense as you make it and most forms of movement can promote a sense of increased wellbeing for participants. Furthermore, the opportunity to connect with peers and have a chat when the opportunities to do so are rare will provide a much needed boost to one’s sense of connection to our community!

This group is being established in partnership with Sporting Pride and GOSHH. If you would like to sign up or have any questions please contact lgbt@goshh.ie

Get Running with the Cork Frontrunners

Cork Frontrunners are partnering with Athletics Ireland and one of Ireland’s top runners, Aoife Cooke, to roll out a training programme for 2021, starting Monday January 11 in Cork City. The programme is targeted at beginners and intermediates, with a particular focus on the recruitment of female/other runners. The Frontrunners have a high number of male runners at present and want to make sure they are diversifying and representative of the wider community. All details will be on Eventbrite in December and also on their Facebook and Instagram pages. For more information and for coaching under the guidance of Aoife Cooke, contact frontrunnerscork@ gayproject.ie

In addition to this, on November 23, Sporting Pride and Athletics Ireland hosted a webinar with Aoife Cooke, facilitated by the wonderful Anna Nolan! Visit the Sporting Pride website to access the full interview and get to know more about Aoife’s journey as an LGBTQ+ athlete.

Keeping Fit With AMACH! Galway

AMACH! Galway are still running their online fitness classes every week through the Teach Solais Instagram page and will continue to do so until December 10. Beginners bodyweight HIIT classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1pm, no equipment necessary. Those looking for a more advanced class can join in on Tuesdays at 1pm and Thursdays at 7pm. Some light weights would be ideal for the advanced workouts but can be replaced by something you have in the home, such as large water bottles!

They also hope to get the Galway running club back out there in January so keep an eye on their social media for updates.