In this We Are Salesian feature, we meet Zac Booth a Year 12 student and College Vice Captain whose triathlon journey began through Salesian College Chadstone. Since competing in his first race in Year 8, Zac has gone on to represent Team Victoria, compete across Australia and pursue selection opportunities at the highest level. He reflects on balancing elite sport, leadership and Year 12 studies, the people who have supported him and his ambitions to represent Australia and compete professionally.
How did you first get into triathlon, and what made you stick with it?
I actually first got into triathlon through Salesian. Towards the end of Year 7 I started running to improve my fitness after going through a bit of a health kick. By the start of Year 8 I had really fallen in love with running and general fitness when the College advertised Race 6 of the 2XU Triathlon Series as part of the ACC Triathlon.
At first I wasn’t sure whether to give it a go, but after I spoke with Mr Loonstra and Mr Peacock, they encouraged me to take the opportunity. I’m forever grateful that they did because that one conversation opened so many doors that I never imagined myself walking through. After completing the race, I absolutely loved it.
Around six months later, after continuing to run, one of my close friends invited me to join a training session with his triathlon squad. I went along that weekend and loved every minute of it. From there, I just kept progressing and continued to fall in love with both the process and the results.
Being selected for opportunities such as Team Victoria, Oceania Championships, Continental Cups and World Championships has also inspired me and given me the drive to keep pushing and see how far I can go in the sport. Overall, though, I think I’ve stuck with triathlon because of the people, the opportunities and the memories it has provided me with. Those are the things that get me through the biggest training weeks. I simply love the sport and everything it has brought into my life.
You have competed across Australia and are pushing for Australian selection. What has that journey been like so far?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to travel around Australia competing in some amazing places. It’s something I never take for granted because I know not everyone is lucky enough to have these opportunities, and I feel incredibly lucky despite the hard work that’s gone into getting there.
At the same time, the journey hasn’t always been easy. There have been some incredible highs, but also some really tough lows. Injuries, setbacks and races that haven’t gone to plan are all part of being an athlete, and they’ve taught me resilience, patience, discipline and consistency.
Whenever I travel to compete, I see it as an opportunity not only to perform but also to experience new places, make lifelong memories and challenge myself. While I’ve been fortunate to have some success along the way, I know none of it would be possible without the support of my family, coaches, teachers and everyone around me.
Competing against some of Australia’s best athletes has pushed me to become a better athlete, but more importantly, a better person.
As College Vice Captain, what does student leadership mean to you at Salesian?
Leadership is something I value very highly. I believe it’s one of the most important life skills a person can develop, and Salesian has given me so many opportunities to grow as a leader.
I’ve been fortunate to serve as Moroney House Captain in Years 10 and 11, and this year as College Vice Captain alongside two amazing co-captains. These roles have taught me skills that I know will stay with me for life and have helped shape the person I am today.
Outside of school, I was also honoured to captain Team Victoria in Triathlon. I genuinely believe the values and leadership skills I developed through my experiences at Salesian played a significant role in preparing me for that opportunity.
To me, leadership is about connection. It’s about bringing people together, supporting others and helping create an environment where everyone feels valued. If I can have a positive impact on someone else’s experience at Salesian, then I feel I’ve done my job.
What have you enjoyed most about being in a leadership role this year?
Being College Vice Captain has been an incredible experience, and I feel very lucky to have had so many amazing opportunities throughout the year.
The highlight has definitely been connecting with students across all year levels and helping create opportunities for everyone to feel involved in the College community. Whether it’s speaking at assemblies, supporting school events or simply having conversations with younger students, I’ve really enjoyed being able to contribute in a positive way.
I’ve also loved being able to represent the student body and act as a voice for students. Along the way, we’ve had the chance to attend some fantastic events and experiences, meet inspiring people and continue building lifelong friendships. Those opportunities have been some of the most rewarding parts of the role.
You are balancing Year 12 academics, leadership and high-level training. How do you manage your time and stay on top of everything?
To be honest, it’s not easy.
Balancing Year 12, leadership responsibilities and around 30 hours of training each week has definitely been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced. I don’t think I’ve always got it right either. It has taken patience, experience and plenty of trial and error to find a balance that works.
The biggest things for me are discipline, balance and enjoying what I do. I’m incredibly fortunate to have the support of my teachers, coaches, family and friends. The teachers at Salesian have been amazing in supporting my sporting commitments, and I’m very grateful for everything they do. I think that’s one of the things our school does best: we support one another and encourage balance.
The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is to be fully present in whatever I’m doing. When I’m training or travelling for competition, my complete focus is on performing at my best. When I’m at school, my focus shifts entirely to learning, making the most of my time and working as efficiently as possible. Without that mindset, balancing everything would be much more difficult.
Most importantly, I think it’s important to do things you genuinely love. When you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it’s much easier to stay disciplined and make the most of every opportunity.
You have spoken about wanting to represent Australia. What would that mean to you, and what are your goals beyond school?
Representing Australia again and hopefully competing professionally would mean the world to me.
When I commit to something, I always want to give it everything I have. For me, representing Australia would be a reflection of the years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice, not just from me, but from the many people who have supported me along the way. It would also be my way of making the most of every opportunity I’ve been given and, in some small way, repaying those people for everything they’ve invested in me.
Beyond school, I hope to continue balancing high-level sport with further study. I’d love the opportunity to attend university and study engineering while continuing to compete, seeing just how far I can take my sporting career and likely spending some time racing in Europe.
I’m incredibly grateful for everything Salesian has provided me. The opportunities, experiences and values I’ve gained here have helped shape who I am, and I believe they’ll continue to guide me wherever life takes me next.
