Three (Olympic sized) cheers for Natalie Van Coevorden
Natalie is a Glen Alpine based athlete and active member of Macarthur Triathlon Club who has been competing in the ITU WTS for the last eight years
Natalie sent us a great message and answered a few of our questions while she was in Portugal.
What starting you on your journey towards Triathlon ?
I grew up swimming at Bradbury Swimming pools from a very young age and committed my teenage years to a structured swimming schedule before and after school. I was also a talented runner whilst I was swimming and my friends always told me about this sport called triathlon. I did one of my first triathlon for a bit of fun through Macarthur Triathlon Club and never looked back. I have always loved the challenge and doing three different sports gave me the ability to do that. In 2010, I was picked in a national development program through the AIS and my old coach and by early in 2011 qualified for my first junior world championships in Beijing.
Who has been the most influential/ inspirational person in your sports life?
I really can’t just name one person. It really takes a village of people that have got me to where I am today and I am grateful for everyone who has big or small involvement in my career. Every time I see a great sporting performance especially in triathlon, I really thrive to have that feeling for myself.
What do you miss most about home?
I miss lots of things. I miss seeing my family, my friends and my dog. I miss my local training locations and the ease that home brings to that. This winter overseas was brutal and I really missed summer in Australia.
What’s your best advice for young kids with sporting dreams?
Be patient, be persistent and really chase what you love. I was never the “best” but I kept showing up and that consistency and discipline has really made me the athlete I am today.
Cant wait to shout you a schnitzel Natalie! Yo are amazing and Wests is so proud to watch and be part of this journey.
