USA Triathlon Foundation Grant Helps Dialed Juniors Expand
by USA Triathlon Foundation
The Bridget Inspires Grant opens pathways to triathlon for junior female athletes in Washington state.
This grant is a partnership between the USA Triathlon Foundation and the family of Bridget Dawson, an accomplished age-group triathlete and Team USA member who passed away in 2016. Her drive and vitality live on through young women whose athletic goals are supported by the grant, like members of the Dialed Juniors Triathlon Team.
The grant has helped eliminate one of the biggest barriers to youth participation in triathlon—cost.
“With the cost minimized, these girls and families can now begin to experience this sport that has given me so much in my life,” said Evan Price, a pro triathlete who coaches the Dialed Juniors. “I hope it can inspire these girls to develop a lifelong love of triathlon and endurance sports."
In 2021, the grant supported:
- Strength training sessions to prepare for the upcoming season and prevent injuries.
- Open water swim safety gear for new swimmers.
- Goggles and swim caps.
- Omnium trainers for practices and warming up before races.
- Bike racks for learning transitions, practices and races.
- Registration fees to help remove barriers for new triathletes.
- Race kit subsidies for those in need.
- Running shoes for new triathletes.
And it’s also made it possible for the Vancouver, Wash., team to expand.
“It has been inspiring and incredibly fun to share my love of the sport of triathlon with other young ladies,” said 17-year-old team captain Maddy. “The Bridget Inspires Grant has given us the opportunity to start growing our team and bonding with one another.
“I can’t wait for this next season to see the results of this come to life,” she said.
Joining Dialed Juniors has been a great fit for 15-year-old Addy.
“I get to be part of a great group of friends who are supporting of me learning something new and stepping outside of my comfort zone,” she said.
For Jake von Duering, owner and director of Dialed Team, grant funding has been invaluable in growing the team, particularly for young women.
“The financial support is nothing short of tremendous and will have a long and profound impact on our community in so many positive ways,” he said.
About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of USA Triathlon. With its mission to transform lives through sport by providing opportunities to swim, bike and run, the Foundation serves to generate a greater impact on the multisport community through charitable giveback and grants that advance the Foundation’s three pillars: (1) Encourage youth participation; (2) Inspire adaptive athletes; and (3) Ignite Olympic/Paralympic dreams. Since the Foundation was established in 2014, it has provided millions of dollars in grants to organizations and individuals in pursuit of its mission and pillars to create a healthier United States through triathlon.