Triathlon Ireland has announced two key appointments as part of its ambition to create a world-class High-Performance programme.
Mark Buckingham is coming on board as Triathlon Ireland’s National Programme Coach, while Ailbhe Carroll is set to take up the position of National Pathway Coach and Programme Co-ordinator. Both will start their roles in early 2023.
“Over the past 18 months, we have worked diligently on implementing the recommendations of the Sport Ireland Tokyo Review,” said CEO Darren Coomes.
“We recognised that we had to undertake a systemic and cultural transformation within our High-Performance Unit in order to keep pace with the highly competitive global triathlon circuit.”
“We are enormously grateful for the support and guidance of our partners in Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland as we implemented these changes.”
“These latest appointments complete the Performance Team, in Mark Buckingham, we have appointed a world-class coaching practitioner to support our athletes. Mark has an extensive track record of global success, and his skillset, credibility and cultural fit with our team will be key as we embark on the qualification path to the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.”
“We are also delighted to appoint Ailbhe Carroll to what is an exciting role with a long-term vision for how we identify, develop and support our future Olympic athletes. Ailbhe returns to the Triathlon Ireland Team and is well placed from both an athlete understanding and coaching perspective to drive this programme.”
Triathlon Ireland High-Performance Director Gordon Crawford was appointed in July, having previously coached the Swiss Triathlon team and at Motherwell Football Club.
“Mark and Ailbhe will have an immediate impact on the performance pathway but also on the road to LA 2028,” he said.
“With them both as part of the team, we can start to develop and shape our culture from participation to performance whilst impacting on the journey of the athletes and coaches in a high performing environment.”
Buckingham was the Team England triathlon coach at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. He has also worked as British Triathlon Performance team coach and Para Triathlon Academy coach.
He has a distinguished career as an athlete spanning a decade in which he won multiple British Triathlon Championships, World Cups and European Cups.
“As we approach Paris 2024, I will strive to add value and experience to athletes on the National Squad and make sure they have the best support possible,” he said.
“One area that I will be looking to develop is the Mixed Team Relay (MTR). As an athlete and coach, I’ve been lucky enough to experience how instrumental the MTR can be in creating the feeling of ‘team’. I think there’s a fantastic opportunity to harness the culture and passion of Triathlon Ireland, bring together the squad and really grow that area of the sport.”
Ailbhe Carroll will work in the newly created role of National Pathway Coach and Programme Co-Ordinator. She has previously worked as Triathlon Ireland’s Women in Sport lead in a maternity cover capacity and has competed as an elite triathlete since 2014. In September she won the Irish Draft Legal National Championships at the Vodafone Dublin City Triathlon.
“Using my experience as an athlete and coach over the years, I believe I can bring a lot to the role and help create an environment nationwide that provides athletes with an opportunity to train and race at a world-class level, whilst developing and growing as young athletes and people simultaneously.”
