ONE man is hoping to make Canvey the base for the country’s leading triathletes.

Thundersley-based coach Perry Agass is putting together what he hopes will be an elite training group based at Waterside Farm.

And the squad will receive advice from world-renowned coach Brett Sutton.

Agass has been to visit Sutton – who has trained several world and Olympic champions – at his base in Switzerland and the legendary Aussie coach has pledged to offer support and guidance to the Essex project.

He will even travel to Essex in March for an open day where he will discuss his coaching techniques.

“My job here is to set up a UK squad which will eventually have a number of professionals coming out from it,” explained Agass.

“They don’t have to be from this area but ideally that’s what will happen and we’re trying to get the message out there now that our doors will soon be open.

“It’s incredibly exciting to link up with Brett because, for me, he is the Sir Alex Ferguson of the triathlon world and he’s the best there is in my opinion.

“He has worked with something like 76 champions and it’s crazy and surreal to be able to link up with him.

“But it’s a great opportunity and one that needs to be progressed into something this area can benefit from because the talent is here locally however the guidance isn’t.”

Sutton worked with Ironman world record holder Chrissie Wellington and is currently training World Ironman Champion Daniela Ryf and Olympic champion Nicola Spirig.

However, it was his unique background which first made Agass aware of his achievements.

“I’ve been a triathlon coach for 10 years and competed myself too but throughout my career I had always followed Brett Sutton,” said Agass, 37.

“I read an article about his methods but what interested me was that he was an ex pro boxer, another sport that I had done and that was a big interest to me.

“He was also national swimming coach in Australia before working his way into triathlon and I found that background really interesting.”

As a result, Agass soon began to try to contact Sutton.

And the former Castle View School pupil could not believe his luck when the Australian invited him over to Switzerland to witness one of his training camps first hand.

“I started writing to Brett years ago when I had my own squad because I wanted to confirm that my coaching methods were right,” recalled Agass.

“But I got in contact again asking if I could go over and Brett invited me to Saint Moritz.

“I spent a week with him and for the first couple of days I was like a kid in a sweet shop.

“I was pool-side with Brett and all these top, top triathletes including the Brownlee brothers and it was just incredible.”

During that initial trip, which took place last summer, Agass formed a good relationship with Sutton.

And that led to him being given a life-changing opportunity.

“At the end of the week he asked me if I wanted to go out there again and work together,” said Agass.

“I drove home and although it took 15 hours it was the best journey of my life because I sifted through everything.

“It was a big call because I was passionate about my own squad I had at the time but this was the opportunity of a lifetime.

“From then on I’ve learnt so much and now it's time to bring that back to Essex.”

BOOK TO HEAR SUTTON

BRETT Sutton will be heading to Canvey for an open day next month.

The Australian will be at Waterside Farm on Sunday March 20. Places can now be booked for £125.

The day will include swimming, cycling and running shoes, two talks and a debrief.

For more details, email perry@trisutto.com