YALLAROI’s Sally Poole has been named Athletes’ Athlete at the 2025 Queensland Triathlon Awards, held at the Garden Room, Victoria Park, Brisbane earlier this month.
Sally, a land services officer with Local Land Services in Moree, has competed at local, regional, national and world championship levels in the past 10 years.
The Queensland Triathlon Awards recognise the achievements and contributions clubs, volunteers, coaches, technical officials, athletes and members make to triathlon and multi-sport events in Queensland, with the Athletes’ Athlete Award recognising an athlete who embodies the triathlon spirit, demonstrates good sportsmanship and consistently participates in events while inspiring others.
Sally, who makes the daily commute from Yallaroi to Moree for work, said she was honoured and surprised to be recognised at the Queensland Triathlon Awards.
“This award was totally unexpected and I feel extremely humbled to receive it,” she smiled.
Sally has been part of the Goondiwindi Triathlon Club and Hell of the West committees for 13 years, secretary of Goondiwindi Triathlon Club for 10 years and Hell of the West media and marketing manager since 2021.
She is also a proud member and ally of triathlon club and registered charity, TriMob.
“TriMob is ally-friendly and aims to empower First Nations people to improve their health and wellbeing through triathlon,” Sally said.
Sally has worked tirelessly to improve awareness and develop opportunities to connect with First Nations communities through Hell of the West.
“Through positive relationships, Hell of the West is a strong supporter of TriMob and, in return, TriMob is strongly supports Hell of the West,” Sally said.
“This year we were lucky to have local Gomeroi man, Buddy Hippi, deliver a unique and meaningful welcome, smoking and traditional song ceremony.
“Next year, we hope to support TriMob to deliver programs to local First Nations’ children in the lead-in to Hell of the West,” she said.
As part of the desire to reduce barriers for entry to triathlon, last season Sally organised a Women’s Beginner Triathlon Program, hosted by Goondiwindi Tri Club and made possible with funding from Queensland Sport and Recreation.
“We were also able to purchase a few bikes as part of a Bike Borrow Program we developed,” Sally said.
“We had 20 women and girls from the Goondiwindi community join the Women’s Beginner Triathlon Program, many who just lacked a little confidence to turn up to our weekly mini-tri before taking part in the program.”
Sally arranged for Bec Hoschke, a former professional triathlete and founder of Racingheart Multisport Coaching, to coach a face-to-face workshop that gave the women valuable skills and confidence to take part in weekly club mini-tri events.
“These were followed up with some zoom catch-ups. Participants also received a sprint triathlon training program,” Sally said.
“All the women went on to complete the Firestarter Tri on Super Saturday as part of the Hell of the West weekend, volunteer over the weekend and now, some have joined the Tri Club committee.”
While inspiring others, Sally said her inspiration comes from family and friends, people who overcome significant adversity to participate in sport – especially triathlon and running – and people who are kind, generous and inclusive.
“My mum, Barbara, is 76 and just completed her 15th half-marathon after taking up running a little over 10 years ago,” Sally said.
“My partner, Paul Nixon, managed to recover and undergo rehab following a very serious bike crash last April and compete at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in New Zealand.
“My nieces and nephews, and young cousins are all inspirational and so are beginners in the tri club, especially those who have taken a giant step outside their comfort zones,” she said.
Sally juggles work in Moree, and commitments with Hell of the West and Goondiwindi Tri Club with up to 20 hours per week training.
“This can vary as to where I am in the training cycle. In a typical off-season week, it may dip as low as 10 hours per week,” she said.
Sally, at 48, is now an age group amateur competitor, but eligible to qualify and compete in triathlon world championship events.
In recent years, she has competed in the 2022 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, 2024 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand and the Long Course Triathlon World Championship in Townsville, also last year.
Sally is a nine-times Hell of the West finisher, including several podium placings, and a seven-times ironman finisher, including a podium bronze at Ironman Australia in 2022.
She has collected a brace of thirds from seven attempts in the Ironman 70.3 Finisher and was second in the inaugural Run the Plains Moree Half Marathon in 2024.
In 2022, Sally also competed in three Ironman events and multiple long course events.
“I would typically compete in around six to 10 larger events each year,” she said.
Sally is currently enjoying some down-time during the colder months, but already has a schedule pencilled in for when the warmer weather arrives.
“I’ll probably do some local running events like the Tamworth Ten and Run the Plains Moree and maybe a gravel cycling event in the central west later in the year,” she said.
Meanwhile, there’s also the Hervey Bay 150 Triathlon in November to consider.
“I’m sure there will be much more added to the calendar as the events get closer,” she laughed.
