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About Gold Coast Triathlon Squad

VISION

To be the triathlon squad of choice for multisport athletes on the Gold Coast.

MISSION STATEMENT

To offer a training environment for triathletes of all abilities that is welcoming, encouraging and supportive.  With our expert coaching we offer specific training for all distances and abilities especially beginner triathletes through our 6 week beginner courses right through to our very successful Ironman and half ironman programs.

ABOUT US

Gold Coast Triathlon Squad or GCTS was formed in September 2010 following the success of Brisbane Triathlon Squad. At GCTS we offer a program that caters for all abilities. This ranges from athletes competing at World Championships and Ironman events to those that enjoy improving their times, completing an event and socialising with friends. Our club caters for all abilities and currently has 7 sessions available each week.

To find out more about what GCTS has to offer please contact us.  

About Our Coaches

Our team of friendly coaches are available to assist all of our athletes with their personal goals. They all have years of experience in triathlon as well as balancing the demands of training with family, work and other commitments.

Head Coach | Mark Turner

Level 2 Triathlon
Level 2 Running
Cert IV in Fitness

As an athlete Mark comes from a background of over 20 years competing in endurance sports. He did his first triathlon in the late 1980’s before turning his attention to running where he went on to represent Queensland in cross country running. After many years running he later became a boundary umpire in the national AFL competition, umpiring matches around Australia at the elite level for 7 years. Throughout  this time Mark continued to compete in triathlons and after retiring from umpiring in 2004, he has  further developed his triathlon experience competing in events from sprint through to Ironman.

During his time as an athlete Mark has overcome many challenges and now draws on this experience to assist the athletes he coaches. In 2008 he completed 3 Ironman Triathlons in 3 days to raise money for charity in the event known as the Tour de Tri. In 2009 he was also one of the athletes selected to represent Australia at the World Triathlon Championships on the Gold Coast.

As a coach Mark first started coaching athletes in his role as a Physical Education Instructor at the Queensland Police Academy from 1996-2001. During that time he has had the following coaching experiences:

1. Built and developed his own swim school in 2002 -2006 where he had over 600 students per week from babies through to adults.
2. Fitness and conditioning coach for AFL Queensland Umpires from 2004-2006.
3. Head cross country and track and field coach for Brisbane Girls Grammar for 2007-2009.
4. Head coach of Brisbane Triathlon Squad 2007- present. During that time has coached athletes to World Championship selection including Kona, Long Course and standard distance.

Mark is level 2 triathlon coach and level 1 distance run coach with a Certificate IV in Fitness.

Coach | Suzanne McCarthy

Suzanne comes from a varied sporting background and turned her attention to triathlon over five years ago. Since then she has been represented New Zealand at the Age Group World Championships and compelted three Ironman events in New Zealand, Port Macquarie and Western Australia.

Suzanne has worked with athletes of varied ability from those new to triathlon to athletes training for Ironman and long distance events. Like many in the GCTS squad, Suzanne balances training with work, family and other commitments. All coaches at GCTS understand the difficulties for Age Group athletes to maintain a work/life/training balance and are all available to assist or provide advice where possible.

Jack started coaching age group triathletes in Brisbane in 2002. He has since coached several athletes to Age group World Triathlon Championships as well as spent time coaching international athletes in Hong Kong and France.

Jack has competed in all distance triathlons from the short distance to Ironman and has coached athletes across all levels.

With a background as a physio Jack is a great addition to the Gold Coast coaching team and he combines his time with studying medicine at Bond University full time. Jack loves coaching and getting the best out of motivated individuals and working with those to achieve their goals.

Level 1 Triathlon
NASM personal trainer
Masters swim coach
AUSTSWIM swim instructor

Jocelyn has been working in the fitness industry for the past 10 years, she is both an experienced triathlete and coach. She obtained a bachelor of physical education and psychology degrees in Brisbane, Queensland, while working part-time for six years at the University of Queensland Aquatic Centre. She coached triathlon- specific swim, bike, run sessions for adults, learn-to-swim classes, adult stroke correction, water aerobics, adult fitness classes, school age swim groups and life-guarding. 

Jocelyn has been a triathlete for the past 10 years, representing Australia at the state and international amateur level and competing for Australia and Hong Kong at the elite level in ITU Olympic distance. She qualified for the Australian Age Group World Championship triathlon team in 2003 and again in 2005, where she placed 2nd in the triathlon and Aquathon. In 2006, she turned professional and raced the ITU Triathlon Circuit representing Australia and Hong Kong.