Tobias ‘Toby’ James Powers is a triathlete who was awarded a Tier 3 Scholarship within the 2023 Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program.
Born in Cairns, North Queensland in 2003, Toby was a very energetic child and showed an interest early on in running. After moving to Hervey Bay from Brisbane in 2013, the 10-year-old was soon competing for the local Wide Bay Region in cross country in School Sport competitions.
His school sports officer encouraged Toby to explore his interest in other sports, and when he realised he could run, swim and cycle all in the one event, Toby was sold on triathlon! He grew into the sport and was selected to represent QLD at National School Sports tournaments for several years throughout high school.
In 2019, Toby competed in the Australian Youth Triathlon Championships and won both the Championship Race at Devonport, and the series point score Championship after accumulating enough points in races throughout the series.
In 2020, Toby progressed into the Junior Category (for 16 – 19-year old’s) however, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, which resulted in limited domestic racing opportunities, and it wasn’t until 2022, once he’d finished school and commenced an electrical apprenticeship, that Toby had the opportunity to compete at an international level again.
He competed in Australian and Oceania races, where he produced several podium finishes – culminating in selection (initially as a Reserve) in the Australian Junior World Championships Team that travelled to compete in Montreal, Canada.
In his first ever overseas event, the World Triathlon Sprint Race, Toby was the only Australian to finish on the podium after he capitalised on a good start to be well placed for the final run, ultimately finishing strongly in second position. He then went on to compete in his first relay where they placed seventh in a mixed team comprising Toby and two other junior triathletes, and one U23 triathlete.
These results meant Toby progressed to #288 in Elite Mens World Triathlon Rankings, and #29 in Oceania Continental Rankings – all as a Junior.
“I am delighted to be advised as one of the sixteen successful candidates for the 2023 Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program and pleased for the recognition of my chosen sport of Triathlon. My goal is to achieve the highest level in triathlon, and I am grateful that SAHOF can assist me in my journey with support and access to Sport Australia Hall of Fame Members and financial support.” – Toby Powers on being selected as a 2023 Tier 3 Scholarship Holder.
Honours & Achievements
- 2019: Australia Youth Triathlon Champion
- 2022: Oceania Triathlon Cup (Elite) – 22nd
- 2022: Australian Junior Super Sprint Champion
- 2022: World Triathlon U23 Relay Championships – 7th
- 2022: Oceania Sprint Triathlon Championship – 2nd
- 2022: World Junior Triathlon Sprint Championships Montreal – 2nd
- 2023: Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship Holder
