Breaking Barriers in Triathlon: Meet Fund Her Tri UK
We sat down with Bianca Fernandez-Clark, co-founder and Chair of Fund Her Tri UK, to learn more about the incredible community she’s building to empower women in swimming, cycling, running, and triathlons.
Let’s dive into our conversation!
1. Can you share a bit about how you came to found Fund Her Tri UK?
I first heard about Fund Her Tri (our sister charity in the U.S.) while racing at the Ironman World Championships in Kona in 2022. Lynn Mattix founded it to support women doing their first triathlon, with both financial help and mentorship. I knew I had to bring that vision to the UK! As a woman of colour, I’m passionate about advocating for diversity and breaking down the barriers we face. Once we decided to create Fund Her Tri UK, things just took off! We’ve since built a vibrant, supportive community of over 250 women of all ages and backgrounds. We’re also partnering with Cycle Sisters to inspire and support Muslim women in sport.
2. Some of your members took part in the Blenheim Triathlon last year. How did it feel to see them at the event?
We had both first-timers and more experienced athletes take part in this year’s Blenheim Palace Triathlon. For those new to the sport, it was the perfect event - so welcoming, with beautiful scenery and lots of women participating. It was amazing to see the ‘sisterhood’ that formed in the lead-up, with everyone helping each other with logistics, advice, and encouragement. The sense of community was really heartwarming.
3. What do you think they gained from participating?
Our mission is to get more women into triathlon, and Blenheim Palace Triathlon was such a confidence booster for everyone. The beginner-friendly setup made sure they felt comfortable and included. It was so impactful that all of them are coming back in 2025!
4. One of Fund Her Tri UK’s main goals is to create a supportive community. Could you tell us about a time when this made a real difference?
We have so many stories of members who wouldn’t have signed up for an event if it weren’t for Fund Her Tri UK’s support. Whether it’s removing financial barriers, providing mentoring and coaching or just having a community cheering them on, everyone here lifts each other up. Some of our members couldn’t swim, cycle, or run when they joined, and now they’re triathletes!
5. What can event organisers do to support initiatives like Fund Her Tri UK in breaking down barriers for women in sports?
We’re incredibly grateful to the organisers of Blenheim Palace Triathlon for their support. They’ve committed to increasing gender diversity and have implemented some great policies we suggested. Representation matters, so seeing more women at the starting line encourages others to join in. They’ve also helped us tackle financial barriers, which is huge.
6. What’s been your proudest moment with Fund Her Tri UK so far?
This year has been filled with proud moments! We’ve had over 400 entries from our community across various events in swimming, cycling, running, and triathlon. Reaching this milestone and seeing the impact we’ve had on so many women has been incredibly rewarding.
7. Looking forward, how do you see Fund Her Tri UK evolving in the next few years?
We want women across the UK to feel welcome in the world of swimming, cycling, running, and triathlons! We’re a small, 100% volunteer-run organisation, and we’re in it for the love of the sport. We just want more women to feel the same passion.
8. Could you share a personal highlight from any endurance events you’ve participated in?
I recently attempted Ride Across Britain - 970 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in nine days! It was easily the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I battled injuries and couldn’t complete all the stages, but I learned so much about my own resilience. I’ll be back in 2026 for a rematch! Here’s a link to the blog about that event if you’re interested in reading more.
9. For women thinking about joining a triathlon club or signing up for an event, what advice would you give?
Triathlon clubs can feel intimidating at first, and it might take a while to find the right one - that was my experience too! Do some research and chat with club members to see if it feels like your ‘tribe.’ And that tribe might just be Fund Her Tri UK! As for events, my advice is simple: just go for it! We often underestimate ourselves, but life happens outside of our comfort zones. So, take that first step!
If you’d like to learn more about Fund Her Tri UK and the incredible work they’re doing, please head to their website and get involved!
Are you ready to make 2025 your best triathlon yet? There’s really never been a better time as if you sign up before 30 Nov you’ll automatically be entered into a draw to win a £400 Zone3 Training Bundle! Find out more about the competition here.
If you’ve got an interesting story you’d like to share please get in touch with us - hello@blenheimtriathlon.com - we’d love to hear from you.