News

Wearing the green and gold is every Aussie sportsperson’s dream, and for one talented Blue Dog apprentice, it’s about to become a reality. 16-year-old Jayden Deane is gearing up to take part in the Cross Triathlon World Championships in the Snowy Mountains in November, after finishing third at the X-Tri National Championships earlier this year. While Jayden races against competitors who are up to 19-years-old, he holds his own in a gruelling sport that requires intense training and dedication. He said he was introduced to off-road triathlon early on, and never looked back.

“In primary school I used to do cross country training. Our neighbours were in a triathlon club and I started training with them. In grade 8 I did my first triathlon and absolutely loved it. I’ve been doing it since then,” he said.

While juggling his academic work at Carmel College, intense two-a-day training schedule and school-based carpentry apprenticeship is tough, Jayden said his employer cuts him some slack every now and then.

“I do my apprenticeship with dad, so when I’ve got training, he lets me start work a half hour later so I can still train.”

Jayden’s dad, Jason, said he was happy to organise Jayden’s workload and training to complement each other.

“The days that he’s working with us, we might have less physical days. We try not to put up big steel structures on those days so that when he finishes work he’s still got enough energy to go and swim or ride for an hour and a half,” he said.

Jason said the communication skills Jayden learnt through his sport translated well to a career in carpentry.

“It’s one thing being a good athlete, but the other huge thing is what type of person you are. The athletes that are liked by their peers and respected by their coaches are the ones that you would employ.  A big part of our industry is being able to communicate with people and solve problems with clients. They’ll get one idea on how they’d like something built but you’ve got to communicate with them and say well I can do this, but I can’t do that.”

As the November championships approach, Jayden said he was still feeling calm and focussed, but admitted that the task of representing his country was a huge one.

“I’m not nervous now, but a week away from the event I’ll probably be getting pretty nervous, because it’s my first world event. It’s a big race.”

The world championships will be held between the 17th and 20th of November.