Alison Shanks - Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Ambassador
After graduating from Otago University in 2005 with a BCom Hons Marketing and a BSc Human Nutrition Alison took the risk
and threw all her energies into becoming a New Zealand cyclist. Five years later she is now a full time professional
cyclist, specializing in track racing. Alison's training and racing has taken her all over the world from America to Europe
and many places in between.
In 2009 Alison recorded her fastest time ever to become 2009 World Champion. Alison's most recent achievement was winning the
Gold Medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. The next two years she will be racing on the World Cup circuit
with the pinnacle focus being the 2012 Olympics in London.
Career Highlights:
- 2010 Commonwealth Games Champion, 3000m Individual Pursuit, Delhi, India
- 2009 World Champion - 3000m Individual Pursuit, Poland
- 4th Olympics Games - 3000m Individual Pursuit, Beijing
- National Record Holder & 3 x National Champion
Look out for Alison at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlons:
- Auckland - North Shore
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
Debbie Tanner - Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Ambassador
Debbie's career in triathlon began with the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon when she was just 9 years old.
Debbie has now been a professional Triathlete for the past 6 years, over which time she has been ranked in
the top 10 female triathletes in the world. She has won and placed at World Cup events and has
represented NZ in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, most recently the Beijing Olympics.
"I love coming down to Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlons because I get to see kids of all ages having fun
doing such an exciting sport. I get such a thrill watching them swim, bike and run and then
finish with the biggest smiles on their faces. Some of them even look like they want to do
it all again! It's awesome!"
Look out for Debbie at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon:
- Nelson
- Hastings
- New Plymouth
- Hamilton
Aaron Barclay - Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Ambassador
Aaron took part in the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon when he was 10 & then started triathlon more seriously when he was about 14.
In his younger days he was a swimmer and a runner, but wanted to do something new and more exciting so started triathlon. He competed in all the secondary school events and as he improved, he started to win some big titles, such as the Southland Championships, the Southland Otago Championships and the South Island Championships. Aaron then won his first National title in 2008 and again in 2010.
The highlight of his career was winning the first ever Youth Olympic Games triathlon in Singapore in August 2010. Aaron has also raced at the World Champs in Budapest in the elite u19 race and finished 24th.
His goals for the future are to one day win World Championship and win gold the Olympic Games.
Look out for Aaron at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlons:
- Wellington
- Nelson
- Dunedin
Maddie Dillon - Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Ambassador
Maddie completed her first triathlon as an 8 year old at the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon in St Heliers.
She became serious about competing in triathlons at secondary school and in 2007 she won the
National secondary school triathlon, duathlon and Multisport as well as 3 cycling titles.
Since 2009, Maddie has been selected for 2 World Triathlon Championships in the U19 Elite category, in both Budapest and Beijing. Maddie is currently a member of the Triathlon NZ 2016 Olympics Development Squad. She continues to finish in podium positions in National competitions including National Duathlon Champs and National Triathlon Champs.
"It is always such a joy to watch the future of triathlon compete in the Weet-Bix races. Triathlon is a passion of mine, and being able to share it with the kiwi kids in an event like this is really special. I feel so lucky! I wish everyone the best of luck, but most of all - enjoy it!"
Look out for Maddie at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlons:
- Hamilton
- Auckland - North Shore
- Auckland - St Heliers
- New Plymouth
Temepara George
Mother-of-two Temepara George is a battler having to toil hard to win back her place in the
Vodafone Silver Ferns line-up. George knows all about patience, waiting four years from the
day she was first selected for New Zealand until she made her on-court debut against Australia
in 2000. The shortest of the Silver Ferns (at 1.7m) makes up for a lack of height with her
explosive speed and stunning aerial skills. George - of Maori, Samoan and European descent -
describes the highlight of her netball career as beating Australia, any time.
Look out for Temepara at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlons:
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Auckland - St Heliers
Jo Lawn
Wellington born, Auckland raised, Lawn has taken a roundabout route to the top of triathlon racing.
She played every sport ever invented during high school. Joanna was a member of the New Zealand
cycling team for the Commonwealth Games in 1998.
For the past four years she has been improving from
a 4th placed in her first attempt at the distance to winning Ironman New Zealand for the past six years.
She also holds the course record at 9:16. In 2007 she finished 4th in the world championship held in Kona, Hawaii.
"TRIATHLON is all about TRYing, TRYing 3 great sports with the support of your family and friends around you... priceless"
Look out for Jo at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlons:
- Palmerston North
- New Plymouth
- Tauranga
Cameron Brown
Cameron Brown is one of New Zealand's most accomplished Ironman contestants. He has won the New Zealand
Ironman Championship 10 times, the NZ half Ironman 8 times, and placed in the top 3 at the World Ironman
Championships 4 times. He has also competed successfully in many other places around the world including
Japan, Hawaii and Europe. He has two boys who compete in the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon.
"Seeing the kid's faces as they cross the finish line is a real buzz as I know what they're feeling inside.
The Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is an event that challenges their bodies as well as their minds, and they get a
great sense of accomplishment that can only help them achieve bigger and better things later on in their lives."
Look out for Cameron at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlons:
- Palmerston North
- Auckland - St Heliers
- Tauranga
Pero Cameron
Cameron has been a pivotal player for the Tall Blacks since making his debut in 1994, culminating with his selection in the All-Tournament Team at the 2002 FIBA World Championship as the Tall Blacks finished fourth and stunned the world.
There is no one better in Kiwi basketball at making the big shot, and with experience around the globe Cameron will provide guidance to his young team-mates.. Cameron has won ten New Zealand NBL titles and individually earned five Kiwi MVP awards.
He has also played professionally in Malaysia, England, Turkey, Iran and Australia. This NZNBL season he entered the coaching ranks and led the Wellington Saints to the championship.
Look out for Pero at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon:
- Wellington
- Palmerston North
Corney Swanepoel
Corney has been competing on the world stage for NZ since 2003 when he was he competed in his first World Championships in Barcelona. Since then he has competed in two Olympic Games, one Commonwealth Games and four long course and two short course World Championships. As well as being the current NZ record holder in the 50 and 100 Butterfly (long and short course) he has also won 34 national tittles. He was also part of the 4x100 medley relay team that got bronze at the World Short Course Championships in Manchester in 2008 and the first NZ swimming relay to ever make an Olympic final, finishing fifth.
Look out for Corney at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon:
Melissa Ingram
My three most memorable moments in swimming are qualifying for my first Olympics in 2008, winning a bronze medal at the World Short Course Champs in 2004 and out-touching Canada by .02 of a second for the bronze medal in the 4x200m Freestyle relay at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. My most unique swimming experience was traveling around the world by myself in 2008 competing in the World Cup circuit. The best thing about swimming is that it has taught me fundamental lessons that I will use throughout my life - discipline, dedication and overcoming obstacles.
National Teams: 2002/2006 Commonwealth Games. 2008 Olympics. 2005/2007 World Championships. 2004/2008 World Short Course Championships. 2002/2006 Pan Pacific Championships.
Major Achievements: Bronze Medal World Short Course 2004. Silver Medal World University Games 2005. Bronze Medal Commonwealth Games 2006. Silver Medal World University Games 2007. 11th at Beijing Olympics 2008. Winner of 9 Gold Medals on 2008 World Cup Circuit.
Education: A Bursary at Epsom Girls Grammar School. Nearly completed Bachelor of Arts at University of Auckland.
Sophie Pascoe
Sophie Pascoe is undoubtedly one of the most successful swimmers New Zealand has ever produced.
At the age of 13, Sophie competed in her first major competition at the IPC World Championships in South Africa where she claimed a bronze medal in the 200m Individual Medley.
2 years later and at only 15 years of age, she competed at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, claiming an astounding 3 gold medals in the 100m breaststroke, 200m individual medley and 100m backstroke. She also boasted a World Record time for the 100 Backstroke along with a silver medal in the 100m butterfly. Not surprisingly, she was awarded the IPC’s best debut performance at Beijing’s Paralympic Games.
Since Beijing, Sophie has competed in the 2009 IPC World Short Course Championships in Brazil and the 2010 IPC World Swimming Championships in Eindhoven where she has claimed 5 gold medals, 3 silver medals, 3 bronze medals and 5 world records.
Determined to improve her performance even more, Sophie is currently training hard in Christchurch to qualify for the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
Look out for Sophie at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon:
Anna Scarlett
Raised in the small settlement of Karamea on the South Island’s west coast, Scarlett first made the Silver Ferns back in 2002, travelling to the Commonwealth Games with the team as a training player.
She made her debut for the Silver Fern in 2002. She went on to play 39 caps for the Ferns and was part of the teams?that won the 2003 World Championships and 2006 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal. At the end of 2007 she left netball to play beach volleyball on the World circuit, where with partner Susan Blundell gained the highest ranking a New Zealand woman’s team has on the World Tour of 32nd and had a best finish of 9th at a World Tour event. She returned to netball in 2010 and now has over 60 caps for the Silver Ferns and another Commonwealth Games Gold Medal under her belt as she was an integral part in the Silver Ferns win over in Australia in Delhi, 2010.
Scarlett has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Otago University.
Look out for Anna at the following Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon:
- Hamilton
- Hastings
- Auckland - North Shore
- Christchurch
Please note: The above represents the planned celebrity schedule of appearances at the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon events.
This is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or other. In all cases, Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon
will endeavour to ensure the published celebrity presence at events.