Part 1: Hervey Bay women enjoy fun in the sun with a swim, cycle and run

It may not be as well-known as the Tour de France, but the Hervey Bay Triathlon Club's 'Tour de la Femme' has certainly changed the lives of many Fraser Coast women.

Almost 50 local women had a different perspective of Hervey Bay's legendary sand and surf when they participated in the triathlon event on 14 September 2003.

Only four of the women had previously competed in a triathlon, with some unable to swim or ride a bike before the project began.

A Departmental grant of $2920, under the Club Development Program 2003, enabled the Hervey Bay Triathlon Club to hold a six-week triathlon training clinic for the participants prior to the event.

The project is a shining example of the Queensland Government's commitment to local sporting clubs, and is one of a number of projects to receive support under the Club Development Program.

Each year, hundreds of Queensland clubs share approximately $2 Million for a range of participation initiatives or planning, education and training thanks to the program.

The 'Tour de la Femme' initiative certainly helped to attract new participants to the Hervey Bay Triathlon Club.

The club's president Ann Manttari said the women, aged 22 to 61 years, learnt new skills, lost weight, improved their fitness and gained confidence and friends during the clinic.

"I noticed that there was a lack of women in the sport, particularly in the 12-15 years and open age groups and thought a training clinic would be a good way to introduce more women to triathlons," she said.

"The committee and I attended a Sport and Recreation Queensland funding workshop in the area and went through the funding booklet to see what funding was available.

"We then put in an application for the Club Development Program with the help of Sport and Recreation Queensland's Maryborough regional office."

Mrs Manttari organised the project and was one of the women's coaches during the clinic.

"It was a proud day for the women and their families," she said.

"The women are so happy that they achieved what they set out to do and completed a triathlon.

"In fact, 20 women have become members of the club and 10 more women have become members with their families."

Mrs Manttari said the project was so successful that the Hervey Bay Triathlon Club would be holding further clinics in the future.

"We were only going to do a one-off clinic, but some of the participants want to do it again and others that missed out want to be involved.

"The first one was certainly worth it, so I can't wait until we hold the next one."

The Club Development Program helps increase participation among Queensland's not-for-profit sport and recreation clubs.

Each year, Queensland clubs share approximately $2 million for a range of participation initiatives or planning, education and training.

Read more about how the Hervey Bay Triathlon Club coordinated their project and encouraged more women to participate in the sport.