The Club Coaches

Travis Bentley

In the 1903 play Man and Superman, George Bernard Shaw wrote “He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches.”  Now it’s never been proven that time travel exists but this solitary line of text may indeed be evidence that Mr Shaw had access to it and spent some years observing the activities of coach Trav.

Travis is what mothers the world over euphemistically call a “real trier.”  With a keen interest in sport from an early age his severe lack of co-ordination resulted a broken arm (twice) and a stint as part of a “horse-riding for the disabled” program in spite of the lack of a physical disability.  Eventually his nervous system caught up with his body and he discovered basketball at the age of thirteen where his height, rather than ability, saw him play at a representative level until twenty years later when he scalped himself in a tragic dunking accident and was forced to retire due to an irreparable hairline injury.

After two years of getting fat and unfit Travis finally found the sport he was destined for, where over-thinkers abound and co-ordination is scarcely missed.  While it would be a stretch to suggest that he competes there is no doubt that he participates with a method and enthusiasm that at times both inspires and horrifies others.  Always willing to test his limits he believes that nothing is impossible, it’s simply a matter of working out the how.

A somewhat casual demeanour belies the eternal curiosity under the surface which generally results in Travis being deep in thought or deep in trouble.  A believer in informal education he is a voracious reader and has developed a knowledge base that has been variously described as “exceptional”, “interesting” and “bizarre.”  To supplement this he’s also got a couple of qualifications and is looking ahead to more.

Rob “Slim” Wiles

My triathlon journey began 34 years ago in Brisbane, Queensland — thanks to a friendly challenge from a training partner at the gym. She never showed up on race day, but I did, crossed the finish line, and was instantly hooked.

Since then, I’ve proudly represented Australia twice at the Long Distance World Championships, completed an Ironman in New Zealand, raced over 10 Half Ironmans (70.3), more than 25 Olympic distance triathlons, and countless sprints and enticer events. One of my proudest moments came in 2003, when I was ranked 12th in Australia in my age group for sprint distance racing.

Alongside racing, I’ve given back to the sport as a Level 2 Technical Official for nearly three decades and as a qualified coach for the past 12 years, with a particular passion for helping beginners fall in love with triathlon the same way I did.

Away from the swim-bike-run world, I’m a motorsport enthusiast and a bit of a Lego tragic.

Most importantly, I look forward to helping you chase down your goals, achieve things you never thought possible, and enjoy every step of the triathlon journey.

Brian Stearn

President & Coach – With a deep passion for triathlon and a long-standing commitment to the Perth Hills Tri Club, Brian Stearn now leads the club as President while continuing to inspire athletes as a dedicated coach. Brian brings a wealth of experience, energy, and leadership to the role, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for athletes of all levels. His vision is to grow the club’s community spirit, enhance training opportunities, and help every member achieve their personal best—whether they’re training for their first sprint tri or chasing a podium finish. Under Brian’s guidance, the club is set to thrive both on and off the course.