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BENDIGO’S Australian Diamonds netballer Caitlin Thwaites returned to her former school, Girton Grammar, on Thursday encouraging students to have a go at the upcoming Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYAathlon.
The 2017 TRYathlon will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday, February 26, where around 1000 seven to 15-year-olds are expected to take on the swim, ride and run course.
“I think it’s an awesome message for Bendigo kids to get out there, be active and enjoy sport,” Thwaites said.
“As opposed to having competition there, it’s encouraged just to get the completion of the tryathlon… it’s all about bringing enjoyment to the kids and for them to participate and have fun.”
Thwaites is one of Girton Grammar’s notable graduates given her netballing exploits in which she’s both a Commonwealth Games and World Championships gold medallist with the Australian netball team.
Thwaites, who turns 30 next month, finished her studies at Girton Grammar in 2004.
“There’s a lot that has changed here in the 12 years since my last year at Girton,” Thwaites said.
“To see how much the school has grown is amazing… the sports facilities across the road weren’t here when I was here, so to see the growth in sport within the school is amazing.
“Hopefully, being back here and having that little bit of a positive influence on some of the kids will be really good."
Meanwhile, Thwaites is preparing for the inaugural season of Australia’s new Super Netball competition.
The star goal-shooter will play with Collingwood when the competition, which has replaced the former ANZ Championship in which Thwaites was a premiership player with the Melbourne Vixens in 2009, gets under way in February.
“It’s really exciting being around the club with all the other teams… there’s the women’s footy team, the AFL team and a VFL team, so there’s a real buzz and everyone is really pumped to be able to take bits and pieces and learn off each other,” Thwaites said.
Collingwood will play its first game of the new competition on Saturday, February 18, against the Melbourne Vixens at Hisense Arena.
However, before the Super Netball season begins, Thwaites will be the vice-captain of the Australian team to play in the Quad Series in South Africa and England between January 28 and February 5.
• For more information and to register for the TRYathlon, go to www.tryathlon.com.au
