Our Coaches.
We offer a highly personalised coaching plan for athletes at all levels, from beginners to elites. We are determined to help our clients reach their athletic goals through a balanced and sustainable training plan, while also achieving the highest level of performance in every aspect of life.
A decade plus of coaching experience means we’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to!
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![A male athlete in a red triathlon suit and sunglasses celebrates as he crosses the finish line at the Ironman World Championship in Queensland, Australia.]()
Tim Reed
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![A man smiling and running through a race finish line, wearing a black tank top, colorful shorts, sunglasses, and a cap, with trees and race banners in the background.]()
Clint Rowlings
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![Female athlete crossing the finish line of an Ironman race, holding a black finish line tape above her shoulders, smiling, with onlookers and supporters behind barriers, and a digital clock showing 09:11:48.]()
Liz Blatchford
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![A male athlete in a blue cycling suit with arms outstretched in celebration at a race, wearing sunglasses and a cap, with a crowd and race banners in the background.]()
Sam Appleton
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![Tim Van Berkel]()
Tim Van Berkel
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![A man running outdoors on a paved path, wearing athletic gear, sunglasses, a cap backwards, and a race bib number 589 with the name 'Leigh'. The background has a sky with clouds and graffiti-covered rocks with colorful spray paint and messages.]()
Leigh Johnson
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![A male athlete in a blue triathlon suit finishing a race at the Ironman Australia event, crossing the finish line with a crowd cheering on both sides.]()
Steve McKenna
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![Man crossing the finish line of an Ironman race, holding the banner overhead, with spectators in the background.]()
Kevin Collington
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![A male triathlete emerges from the ocean during a race, wearing a black wetsuit, swim cap, and goggles, with water droplets splashing around him as he runs onto the beach.]()
Nathan Dortmann
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![A male triathlete celebrates with arms raised in victory as he crosses the finish line of a race. He is wearing a white and blue tri-suit with 'RPG' branding, a race belt labeled 'nerd', and bright running shoes. Colorful tropical flowers line the pa]()
Trevor Cotsworth
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![Group of male athletes running outdoors in a race, wearing athletic gear including hats, sunglasses, and a 'nerd belt' hydration pack.]()
Todd Martin
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Penny Slater
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Abi Bayley
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Joe Gambles
Tim Reed.
PERSONALISED COACHING.
While studying to become a PDHPE teacher, Tim became fascinated by exercise physiology and endurance sports. Tim decided early on he was more interested in endurance sports coaching than becoming a teacher and so knuckled down on learning as much as he could about training for endurance sports while casually dipping his toe into triathlon to gain a very thorough understanding of what an athlete experiences as there is a limit to what a coach can learn from a text book.
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This toe dipping transformed into a total belly flop immersion as Tim worked his way through the age group ranks and then turned professional at the relatively late age of 25. From there, Tim established himself as one of the more consistent performers on the world long course triathlon circuit collecting over 90 professional podium finishes, an Ironman Australia victory and multiple Australian and Asia Pacific titles. The highlight of his professional career collecting a World Championship title at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in 2016. Unlike many pros who start coaching as their career earnings drop and they search for alternative revenue, Coaching has always been a part of Tim’s day to day life because he genuinely gets immense joy out of helping others achieve their athletic goals and through the continual pursuit of perpetual learning. Tim has learnt not just through the many athletes he’s coached and the success he’s achieved as an athlete but also from the many mistakes he’s made along the way. We’ve made most of the mistakes so you don’t have to!
QUALIFICATIONS IN BRIEF:
Over 90 Professional Podium Finishes
20+ IM 70.3 Distance Victories, Ironman Champion, 2 x Ironman Asia Pacific Champion, 3 x Australian Champion, 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Champion
15+ Years Coaching Experience
Has coached multiple athletes from rookie right through to Ironman and Ironman 70.3 age group and professional victories and podiums.
Multiple years of experience before turning pro as an age-group athlete balancing work with training.
3 kids and a working wife. A strong understanding of balancing training and recovery with life.
BPDHPE, BEd
CLINT ROWLINGS.
PERSONALISED COACHING.
Having spent his childhood being dragged to every triathlon event on the east coast of Australia watching his dad compete, the triathlon and endurance sport lifestyle was almost a foregone destiny. The spectating soon progressed to competing in kids’ events and dabbling in endurance sport throughout his teens.
Races became a weekly occurrence. Late nights were replaced with early mornings and soon enough the hobby became a lifestyle.
Clint has competed in 70.3 and Ironman events throughout Asia, Oceania and North America.
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Being exposed to the sport from an early age has helped build a broad depth of knowledge in endurance sports and exercise physiology.
After completing the Triathlon Australia coaching course in 2015 and Later on the USAT core coaching course Clint has worked with athletes with superb success at helping them reach their goals.
Guided by the RPG coaching philosophy, Clint’s aim is to build a well rounded athletes who achieve their realistic training goals but not at the expense of the other pursuits or relationships with loved ones.
RESULTS ALONG THE WAY INCLUDE:
Ironman Australia age group champion
Ironman 70.3 top 10 overall placings
Representing Australia at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in 2018 and 2019.
LIZ BLATCHFORD.
Personalised coaching.
Liz has the longest history in the sport of all the RPG coaches having been involved in triathlons since the age of 13.
Liz’s eighteen year professional career included twelve years on the ITU / World Triathlon circuit achieving multiple World Cup victories and podiums. During her short course career, Liz represented both Australia and Great Britain in the Commonwealth Games and over 10 elite World Championships.
For the final six years of Liz’s racing career, Liz switched to long course racing with just as much success quickly establishing herself as one of the best in the world.
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Liz won on debut at both the 70.3 and Ironman distance, and went on to finish 3rd in Kona in her rookie year. Liz accumulated numerous Ironman and 70.3 wins and podiums from 2012-2018 with the highlights being three times back to back Ironman Cairns titles and two podiums in Kona (2013, 2015).
Importantly, from a coaching perspective Liz also has an understanding of balancing racing with other demands competing as a professional and a mum achieving an incredible 2 Ironman titles while while balancing the intense demands of motherhood.
Liz began coaching in 2014 and post retirement gets the satisfaction she use to get from racing through helping her athletes achieve their goals (and beyond). Liz takes particular pride in helping women to work with their cycle and subsequent womanly superpowers to get the very best out of themselves in training and on race day.
RACING CAREER & COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
18 years of professional career.
Multiple World Cup Victories and Podiums
Commonwealth Games Representative
4 x Ironman Champion, 2 of which as a Mum.
2 x Ironman World Championship Podiums.
10 Years + Coaching Experience
Experience coaching athletes of all levels from rookies to guiding athletes to AG and professional podiums and victories.
BSc, GradDipEd (PDHPE/Sc)
2 kids and a working husband give a strong understanding of training and life balance
Tim Van berkel.
PERSONALISED COACHING.
Tim Van Berkel brings a wealth of elite-level experience to the coaching team, with 20 years competing as a professional triathlete at both short and long course distance. As a 5-time Ironman Champion and consistent performer on the global stage, Tim has built a reputation for his resilience, strategy, and deep understanding of what it takes to perform come race day.
As a coach, Tim is passionate about helping athletes of all levels unlock their potential - whether it is their first race or experienced competitors chasing new personal bests or goals, he brings a personalised practical approach grounded in experience. His coaching focuses on building sustainable performances, refining race strategy and developing confidence in training and competition whilst maintaining a balance with your life.
Tim is known for his approachable nature and commitment to his athletes, which makes him a valuable mentor both on and off the course, guiding athletes not just to great results but to genuine love for the sport.
Tim is excited to also implement more hands-on coaching and has recently been seen poolside with local junior and masters swim squads, with the aim of introducing in-person sessions across all disciplines.
Racing career & results
Ironman Asia Pacific Champion
Ironman Australian Champion
Ironman 70.3 Australian Champion
7th Ironman 70.3 World Championship
7th Ironman Ironman World Championship
7x Ironman World Championship finisher
sam appleton.
personalised coaching.
Sam Appleton is a distinguished Australian triathlete and coach, whose passion for endurance sports and commitment to excellence have fueled his remarkable journey in the world of triathlon. With a wealth of experience as a professional athlete, Sam has seamlessly combined racing and coaching, imparting his extensive knowledge to athletes seeking to elevate their performance and achieve their triathlon goals.
As a triathlete, Sam Appleton has left an indelible mark on the sport, with numerous Ironman 70.3 victories and multiple top 10 finishes in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships, highlighted by a career best of 4th place in 2017. His results showcase a relentless pursuit of excellence, characterised by a combination of technical prowess, strategic intelligence, and an unwavering work ethic.
Sam's coaching philosophy is rooted in his personal experiences and the principles that have guided his success in the triathlon arena. His coaching approach goes beyond the conventional, emphasizing a holistic view of training that encompasses not only the physical aspects but also mental resilience and strategic planning.
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With a commitment to individualized coaching, Sam tailors his programs to the unique needs and aspirations of each athlete. Drawing from his own triumphs and challenges, he provides valuable insights into optimizing training regimens, refining race strategies, and cultivating the mental fortitude required to excel in the demanding world of triathlon.
Sam's coaching style is characterized by a balance of encouragement and constructive feedback, fostering a supportive and empowering environment for his athletes. His dedication to their success is evident in the personalized attention and mentorship he provides, aiming not only to enhance their athletic performance but also to nurture a lifelong love for the sport.
As an accomplished triathlete and coach, Sam Appleton's expertise extends beyond the technicalities of swimming, cycling, and running. He understands the intricate interplay of these disciplines and brings a comprehensive perspective to coaching, ensuring that athletes under his guidance receive a well-rounded and effective training experience.
RACING CAREER & COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
17 x Ironman 70.3 Winner
Multiple top 5 finishes at Ironman 70.3 World Championships
15 years racing professionally in triathlon
Exceptional knowledge and understanding of triathlon training and physiological responses.
Young family and working wife, giving experience and understanding of balancing training and other life stress contributors
Leigh ‘Twiggy’ johnson.
personalised coaching.
Leigh’s experience in triathlon and sports started at a young age, competing in junior short course races, cross country, cycling, and team sports. Following this, his focus shifted to competitive offroad motorcycle racing where he gained further experience in training, nutrition, and performance to complete long endurance events at a high level.
With the fire still burning he returned to his roots in triathlon. Working with Coaches Clint and Tim, he has gained valuable knowledge and completed events from sprint, OD, 70.3, and Ironman distances with podium and multiple top 10 AG places.
Leigh’s love for the sport and passion for seeing others succeed brought him into the world of coaching, becoming an Ironman certified coach and joining the RPG coaching team.
His exceptional understanding of what it takes to get the best out of oneself whilst balancing all aspects of life in a healthy and sustainable way is paramount to his approach.
Leigh’s experience & knowledge are backed by the RPG coaching philosophy and put his athletes in the best possible position to reach their full potential and racing goals.
RESULTS & Qualifications:
Ironman Certified Coach
Multiple Ironman & 70.3 AG Top 10’s
Sprint & OD Podium & Top 10’s
2024 IM 70.3 World Champs Qualifier
Victorian Offroad Championship Class Winner
Father to 3 children, business owner, and athlete giving an understanding of the challenges faced balancing life with training, recovery, and athletic pursuits
steve mckenna.
personalised coaching.
Steve McKenna has been immersed in endurance sports for over 20 years, starting as a national-level runner at just 12 years old before transitioning to triathlon in 2015. Throughout his journey, he has sought out expert mentors and dedicated himself to learning everything about endurance training and performance.
Steve trained under Matty White, a highly experienced professional long-course triathlete, before moving on to work with Australia’s ITU Head Coach at the Australian Institute of Sport in 2018. In 2019, Tim Reed, RPG Head Coach, took Steve under his wing, a partnership that led to his biggest breakthroughs as an athlete. Steve credits Tim’s coaching methods with fast-tracking his development, and now he’s bringing that same knowledge and approach to RPG athletes.
As a professional triathlete, coach, and entrepreneur (all while balancing life with two young daughters), Steve knows firsthand the challenges of fitting triathlon training into a busy schedule. That’s why he caps the number of athletes he coaches, ensuring a tailored, high-quality experience for those he works with.
No matter your goals - big or small, Steve is committed to helping you improve rapidly while keeping training fun and sustainable.
RACING career & coaching highlights :
18 years in endurance sports, competing nationally as a junior runner before discovering triathlon at 23 and turning Pro the same year (70.3 Ballarat 2016)
Professional triathlete, coach, and business owner (founder of Nerd Belts)
Completing a law & marketing double degree
Father of two young daughters – firsthand experience balancing training with life
8+ years coaching triathlon, helping athletes reach their potential
Follows the philosophy "Consistency over craziness" (coined by Coach Tim Reed)
10x Full-Distance Pro Ironmans – finishing 1st or 2nd in 7
Key achievements:
Ironman Australia 2023 Champion
Ironman New Zealand 2024 Champion
2nd at the 2024 World Triathlon Long Course Championships
Multiple 70.3 and Half-Distance Pro victories
kevin collington.
personalised coaching.
With over 20 years of triathlon experience - including 18 years as a professional triathlete, Kevin Collington brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coaching. Based in the U.S., Kevin has competed at the highest levels of the sport, earning 12 professional wins and securing three top-10 finishes at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.
Kevin’s coaching philosophy is science-driven and athlete-focused. As a certified expert in metabolic profile-based training through INSCYD, he tailors training plans to each athlete’s physiology, ensuring a personalised, data-driven approach that optimises performance.
Under his guidance, athletes of all backgrounds and ability levels have found success, whether it’s setting a personal best, qualifying for a World Championship, or winning a race outright. While Kevin’s approach is grounded in science and performance, he also believes that triathlon should be fun, fulfilling, and enriching for every athlete.
RACING career & coaching highlights :
20 years in triathlon, including 18 years as a professional athlete
USA Triathlon National Team member (2006–2012), competing on the World Triathlon circuit
12 professional wins, including three U.S. National Championships, three top-10 finishes at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, and the 2017 Ironman 70.3 Pan-American Championship
8 years of coaching experience
Coaching philosophy: Training should fit into your life—not the other way around. Every plan is personalised to your needs, goals, and lifestyle
Certified in metabolic profile-based training (INSCYD), providing detailed insights into your strengths and weaknesses to create a truly personalised training plan
Nathan dortmann.
personalised coaching.
After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Sport Science and Education, Nathan moved to Australia to pursue his passion for triathlon, both as a coach and an athlete. Over the years, he has coached at multiple clubs and founded several successful triathlon teams. He is a Triathlon Australia Performance Accredited Coach who reflects the highly personalised coaching approach we are very proud of at RPG.
RACING career & coaching highlights :
Qualified multiple athletes for the 70.3 and Ironman World Championships
Coached several overall Age Group winners across Japan, Malaysia, and Australia
2020/2024 ITU Long Distance World Champion
3× Kona Finisher, including 1× Top 10 finish
Multiple overall Age Group wins at 70.3 and Ironman events
Winner of 70.3 Cairns
Multiple Top 10 finishes at Full and Half Ironman events
16th place in the Pro Series at Ironman Cairns
Trevor cotsworth.
personalised coaching.
A shoulder reconstruction in his early 20s marked the end of football—but kicked off a love for triathlon that’s still going strong. What began with one race quickly turned into a lifestyle, and over the past 12 years, he’s immersed himself in the world of endurance sport.
Having trained and raced over the years as a uni student, full-time worker, husband, and now father of three, he brings a real-world understanding of how to balance training alongside life’s many demands. This lived experience is his coaching strength—helping athletes build structure, consistency, and performance no matter what stage of life they’re in.
After circa five years being coached by Tim and Clint under the RPG banner, he now brings that same athlete-centred, practical, and performance-driven approach to his coaching.
results & qualifications:
Triathlon Australia Foundation Certified Coach
Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (Physical Education)
Certificate III in Exercise Science
12+ years of racing experience in triathlon
2 x Hawaiian Ironman World Championship finisher (representing Australia)
Multiple sprint and Olympic distance podium finishes
Coached as an athlete under RPG before stepping into coaching
Todd Martin.
personalised coaching.
Todd’s coaching journey began in team sports, where early involvement in football led to FFA coaching accreditations and a passion for helping people. That path later steered him toward strength and conditioning with a penchant for Ergs — focusing on health, longevity, and athletic development — before finding his stride in endurance sport.
Now a competitive age-group triathlete with RPG, Todd is coached by Tim Reed and brings that same structured, athlete-first mindset to his coaching. He’s a certified HYROX Performance Coach and works closely with athletes preparing for HYROX, running events, and fitness racing formats - including those that want to ‘train everything to be ready for anything’ - blending real-world experience with a personalised and grounded approach.
CERTIFICATIONS & eXPERIENCE
HYROX Performance Coach
Cert III & IV in Fitness
Athletics Australia Running Coach
TrainingPeaks Accredited Coach
Penny Slater.
PERSONALISED COACHING.
Penny has been a sports fanatic from a young age competing at a high level in field hockey and equestrian before picking up triathlon in her early 20s. This coincided with Penny beginning her Exercise Science Degree and Bachelor’s of Secondary Education. As Penny was completing her Uni, she discovered long course triathlon and found a deep satisfaction from the work ethic required to compete at a high level.
Over the next few years, Penny began moving through the ranks as a professional, securing multiple Ironman and 70.3 podiums. At the same time, Penny’s fascination with Exercise Science grew and she began research into applying science backed coaching approaches to her one-on-one triathlon coaching. She enjoys the challenge of tailoring training to an individual’s physiology and commitments outside of training
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Outside of racing and coaching, Penny is very passionate about research in triathlon. After struggling with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) and its subsequent consequences, Penny began some postgraduate research to understand more about the topic and its effect on athletes particularly female athletes. Fast forward a few years and Penny is deep into her PhD looking specifically at REDs in triathletes and how it can be managed and prevented, with some of her studies being published in late 2025.
Penny is deeply passionate about wellbeing of athletes being at the front and centre of performance, as a happy athlete is a fast athlete.
abi bayley.
personalised coaching.
Abi has been involved in the running world from a young age and as a junior represented England, finishing second at both the English Schools 1500m Championships and the Home Countries International Cross Country Championships.
Her love of running transitioned to triathlon, becoming a professional athlete and achieving numerous Ironman and 70.3 podiums and representing Great Britain at multiple European and World Long Distance Championships training beneath some of the sport’s greatest coaches.
Following her professional triathlon career, she returned to competitive running, winning Run for the Kids, placing on the podium at events including City to Surf and the Gold Coast Half Marathon, and recording personal bests of 32:49 for 10km and 1:13:39 for the half marathon.
More recently, she enjoyed participating in Masters swimming events contributing to a lifelong passion for endurance sport that continues today.
Abi combines elite-level sporting knowledge and enthusiasm with a highly personalised and empathetic coaching approach. She’s helped athletes of all abilities achieve personal bests, national titles, World Masters medals, Boston Marathon qualifications, and successful returns from injury and motherhood. She strives to build strong relationships and create tailored programs that help athletes balance sport with real life while achieving results they didn't think possible.
Experience & Qualifications
AusTri Foundation Coach
Recreational Run Coach
Athletics Coach Bronze Cert
Austswim qualified swim teacher
Over 30 years in endurance sport, including 10 years of coaching
Winner Run 4 The Kids
Podium finisher at City2Surf, City2Bay, Gold Coast Half Marathon, Launceston 10km
Victorian 5000 and 10,000m Champion
32.49 - 10km, 1.13.37 - half marathon
Ironman and 70.3 Pro Podiums x 6
Australian Long Distance Tri Champ 2008
European and World Long Distance Tri top 10 finishes"
Joe Gambles.
PERSONALISED COACHING.
Joe has been involved in endurance sports for as long as he can remember. At the age of 5, he took part in his first cross country race and continued to run throughout his teenage years-and he is still running at 41!. He excelled at many sports but, at the age of 12, took part in his first triathlon and instantly became hooked although he often remarked about how much easier life would be if he only had to do one sport!
Joe worked hard and did well, rising through the ranks of the Triathlon Australia junior system. He was soon lucky enough to have the opportunity to race against his idols which was a great motivation for him. His first elite race was at the Oceania Championships when he was only 16. He continued to race domestically in Australia while completing his business degree before heading to Europe to race for French, German, and Danish teams. Upon returning to Australia, he turned his attention to long course racing where he found his niche and quickly proved himself against the very best.
In 2008, he moved to Boulder, Colorado to focus on his racing and he quickly became a highly competitive professional with countless wins and podium finishes.
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In 2021, after over 20 years in the sport, Joe retired from racing and is now a triathlon/strength and conditioning coach and regular commentator for Ironman. He is a family man and a lifelong vegetarian turned vegan, being one of the few 100% plant based professional endurance athletes around. He has achieved more than he ever imagined through patience, dedication, and meticulous hard work. Joe brought humor and integrity to every start line, making him a respected pro and a great coach.
“Joe is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with. He is so thorough in covering every little detail regarding training, recovery, strength work, and mindset day to day, but also over the course of a season and beyond. He has an extremely deep understanding of the human body and movement and how to get the most out of it- as well as how to keep strong and healthy. As an athlete himself, Joe can relate to his athletes and seems to always sense ahead of time what is needed- extra recovery, a day on the couch, or a little motivation to go after a big session. Whatever your goals, I cannot recommend Joe’s help and guidance enough.”
Heather Jackson - 6 x Iroman Champion, 16 x Ironman 70.3 Champion
Career Highlights & Qualifications
Bronze Medal Ironman 70.3 World Championships (2013)
5x Ironman 70.3 Boulder Champion (2011,12,13,14,16)
Bronze Medal ITU Long Distance World Championships (2017)
Silver Medal ITU Long Distance World Championships (2011)
Ironman Wisconsin Champion (2010)
Gold Medal ITU Long Distance European Championships (2008
20+ years racing as a professional Triathlete
15 years experience in coaching at all levels and abilities
Current Wahoo Sports Science coach
Level 3 USA cycling accredited coach
National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified (NASM) - Personal Trainer
