Help Us build the NHS Triathlon Team

Hello, we are Ayana, Jayda, and Leticia and we are forming the Naugatuck High School Triathlon Team! Recently, we learned that triathlons are a heavily white-dominated sport and are seeking to “be the change”.

As of this year, U.S.A. Triathlons said that just 13.3% of its annual members are people of color and less than 2% are Black or African American (NY Times). This underrepresentation is a result of the systematic lack of access that athletes of color face in their communities: In predominantly Black communities there is a lack of lap pools, bike lanes/trails, and community parks to use for training. At the professional level, there is even greater inequality: We’re inspired by Sika Henry (@Sika_Henry) becoming this past May the first ever Black female professional triathlete. As a team of 3 women of color, we want to empower other Black women to join the sport and it can start with us!

In June of 2022, we will participate in the 21st annual Pat Griskus Sprint triathlon at Lake Quassy which consists of a 0.5-mile swim, an 11.6-mile bike, and a 3.1-mile run. We are asking for donations to help pay for our entry into the race and to assist with purchasing the gear we need to complete the race including bikes, helmets, swim caps, etc.

Anything that you could donate would be so appreciated and if you cannot donate please share our page!