Parcel service provider GLS became official logistics partner and one of the main sponsors of Triathlon Ireland, announcing a four year sponsorship deal to strengthen triathlon and the fast growing community.
The sponsorship commitment was announced in Luttrellstown Golf Club, Dublin by GLS Ireland, and welcomed by Chris Kitchen, CEO of Triathlon Ireland: "Triathlon Ireland sanctions and supports dozens of major events catering for thousands of athletes and members, including the National Series, Super Series and National Championships. The support offered by GLS will be crucial in helping TI support these events for the benefit of the sport", Chris Kitchen said. "Triathlon is unique in sport, not only providing highly competitive racing for the elite in an Olympic event, but also as a sport for all. Whether you are 25 or 75 with five year age bands you only ever compete against people of your own age. More than that whatever your age size or shape triathlon is a personal challenge that is great fun and achievable."
Andreas Rickert, Managing Director GLS Ireland, said the widespread appeal of triathlon for a new generation of health and fitness enthusiasts, and its unique accessibility, determined the backing of the leading logistics business. “The commitment and discipline of triathletes are important elements of parcel logistics too, and we appreciate the variety and different levels and styles, from pool triathlons to relay events, which makes the sport so accessible”, Andreas Rickert said.
Sporting legend and former Dublin GAA captain Bryan Cullen attended GLS sponsorship announcement. The athlete, who has a Phd in Sports Science and works with the Dublin football team, intends to compete in the Dublin City Triathlon in the Phoenix Park at the end of August.
“The diversity of swimming, cycling, and running makes triathlon the ultimate personal challenge, and offers a tremendous health, fitness and social aspect too. Leading businesses like GLS Ireland are to be congratulated for their foresight in backing the health of the nation with sponsorship associations like this”, the GAA sports star said.
GLS Ireland, headquartered in Dublin, is a leading player in Irish parcel distribution, operating here from six locations. GLS offers high-quality delivery services not only to large major dispatchers, but to private individuals and companies who only send parcels occasionally. They can access its services via over 180 GLS Parcel Shops, which also serve as parcel pickup-points.
One of Ireland’s Fastest Growing Sports
Over the past decade, Triathlon Ireland has more than doubled its membership to more than 17,500. At the heart of this are Ireland’s 92 triathlon clubs and the more than 200 multi sport events sanctioned and supported by Triathlon Ireland in locations right around the country.
Ireland has the third highest per capita participation rates in triathlon of any country in the world and at 35%, triathlon has one of the highest female participation rates of any sport in Ireland.
Triathlon Ireland’s junior membership has more than doubled in the past five years and today more than 2,000 children and teenagers are part of a sport that reaches all the way to Ireland’s elite international triathletes and Olympians.