British Triathlon create a sisterhood of new athletes to increase participation

They say every big journey begins with a single step, but for an unexpected sisterhood of Leeds women it looked more like the push of a bike pedal. When Fiona Hoare and British Triathlon put out a call for weekly Open Access swim, bike and run sessions in the city's Cross Flatts Park, they didn't expect every single applicant to be female, let alone the majority Muslim. Ad/> Salma Hussain, 36, is one of 12 women who have attended the Sunday lessons which have transformed the group — most of whom were cycling novices — into avid, confident athletes.

TriathlonPeasgood delighted for 'game-changing' Triathlon Series to arrive in Swansea next year18/11/2021 AT 09:16 «When I initially started, I felt like, 'Oh my god, I can't do it. Why am I living in the dark ages?» said the mum-of-two. Hussain lives with Lupus, an autoimmune condition which leaves her fatigued and short of breath.

At first, she had to stop every ten minutes. Four months later, she can complete full laps without pausing. «It was just really daunting.

And I kept asking myself, 'Will I be able to do it? Am I ready for this? Is this the right time?' »But I saw everybody persevere. And there was this bigging up the sisters in the group attitude and mindset, supporting each other and seeing each other triumph. «The moment when I actually started cycling, it was so emotional.

It was such an emotional experience, like a rollercoaster. »And then I said to Fiona, 'Teach me how to do roller skates. Teach me how to get on a hoverboard, teach me how to do an electric scooter.