WTC Club Committee

I’ve always lived locally. My background was more focused on cycling and running, as I was never a confident swimmer as a child. I have completed 3 Marathons and still enjoy running the Hastings ½ Marathon in March most years.  Cycling, I’ve completed the Surrey 100-miles cycling event a few times as well taking part in cycling Time Trails, London to Brighton and British Heart Foundation events.  I have also now managed to improve my swimming and completed the Serpentine 2-mile swim in 2021 and collected my first London Classic medal, a thing of beauty. I joined Westcroft Triathlon Club via one of the ‘Couch to Tri’ programmes. Straightaway I felt that the club was a good community club, all are welcome with a very friendly atmosphere and WTC is so supportive. WTC coaches “who are all volunteers” are more than happy to pass on some great knowledge, top tips and encouragement. Which made my first Triathlon at Hampton pool a more enjoyable event. I also completed my British Triathlon Level 1 coaching qualification May 2022 and now coach most weeks. It’s such a good feeling to think you are helping and encouraging others to be the best they can be. When I was asked (Thanks, Sharon Scott) about being WTC Vice Chair. I wanted to make sure that I continued to help WTC club going from strength to strength as it enters its 10th year. 

I have always been involved in sport and have participated in a range of sports over the years. I have been a competitive swimmer since the age of 8, competing up to international level for Wales. I still train with masters teams in Cheam and Epsom but concentrate on open water events competing in 5km and 10km events. In 2023 I trained for and took part in a Channel relay with 2 others, unfortunately we were derailed by the weather on the day, halfway across, and so this is a challenge I am still needing to and determined to complete!

I became involved in Westcroft Triathlon Club in 2019 because my son was competing for them. I offered to take a swim lane once and within the year I was a level 1 triathlon coach!! I am also a level 3 swim teacher and level 2 Open Water coach. I have also completed the strength and conditioning course for British Triathlon. I have a BSc (Hons) degree in sports and exercise sciences and foundation degree in sports therapy, the nerdy side of me enjoys applying sport science principles to the planning and delivering of the swim, bike, run training sessions.

Not coming from a sporting background, I became involved with the club when my son joined as a 9 year old in back in October 2014.
35 multi-discipline events and several years later, he’s still with the club and I’ve moved through a variety of different roles – from parent spectator, to parent helper, to first parent rep on the committee, to taking a Community Tri-Activator course in 2017.
Since then I’ve become Race Director overseeing our Junior Aquathlon event in 2018 and 2019, and then with support and encouragement from the other coaches, I did my Level 1 Triathlon Coach training in December 2019.
I’m also a qualified Ride Leader and Level 1 Cycle Coach and I love helping our youth section with their cycle skills. I’m passionate about getting women and girls out on their bikes and involved in this great sport so I also lead rides for some of the ladies to build confidence and explore different routes.
Rather embarrassingly, I haven’t actually done a triathlon myself – yet – but maybe sometime soon ….

welfare@westcrofttriathlonclub.com
Having completed several triathlons myself, including my one and only Ironman in 2019, I wanted both my daughters to experience the many benefits the sport brings, developing resilience, discipline, focus, and a growth mindset through overcoming physical challenges. I also wanted them to be part of a team that fosters community and belonging, which led me to contact Westcroft Juniors. As soon as they were old enough, they joined, and it has been wonderful to see how much they have gained from the experience.  The coaches are fantastic, supportive, encouraging, and proud of every child’s achievements. I have occasionally helped at the Westcroft Junior Aquathlon, but as a keen swimmer and occasional marathon runner, balancing my own training and events with my daughters’ schedules can be challenging. That’s why I was eager to contribute in a different capacity, one that ensures the safety, wellbeing, and inclusivity of all children in sport. As a Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead, I deeply understand the importance of the Welfare Officer role. So, when the position became available, I didn’t hesitate to put myself forward.

I joined Westcroft Triathlon Club a couple of years ago, not really having much idea about triathlons, egg and spoon race was probably my highest level of competitive sports.  Having said that I’ve always enjoyed swimming but had never ridden a road bike and could count the number of times I’d gone for a jog, although I managed to keep vaguely fit.  With the encouragement and comradery of WTC I’ve completed a few triathlons and Palace to Palace which was a lot of fun.  Through the mentorship of the club, I now consider entering longer events that I previously thought were way beyond my limitations.

 I’m a mum of two young children and strongly believe that everyone should be able to enjoy sports and fun in a safe and inclusive environment.

In my 39th year on this planet I decided to get ‘fit before 40’….slightly later than planned due to a few celebrations (!) I saw an advert for the ‘Couch to Tri’ course and after roping in a few of my lovely friends we all embarked on a 16 week unforgettable journey of fitness and more importantly fun! We ended on a day never to be forgotten and I am so grateful to say that 3 years on we are still loving being part of such an inspiring club. Personal highlights for me have included being chosen as the poster girl for Thames Turbo 2019, the Hever Triathlon Relay and completing the Palace to Palace bike ride. I’m also enjoying being part of the WTC Committee as Membership Secretary for the Adults. The club has given me so much joy that it’s a great feeling to be able to give something back. I would say to anyone ‘Tri’ something new as you never know what could happen….

Growing up as the daughter of a swimming teacher and sporty parents I spent many hours in the pool and other water sport pursuits. I dabbled in a bit running and cycling as a child/teenager but this went to the wayside during my twenties.

My interest in Triathlon began when my friend Jill (Westcroft coach and vice chair) persuaded me to take part in Hampton Chilly Super Sprint Triathlon in March 2022. Convinced this would be just a one off, I couldn’t believe how much I loved the event! There was no turning back, since then I have completed open water triathlon events with my favourite being the Bournemouth Aquathlon. The coached sessions are fantastic, building confidence and ability, not forgetting the social runs, swims and bike rides too!  I love WTC it really is a fantastic community club that provides opportunities for everyone.

I became involved with the club through my children who have been members of the youth section for a number of years. I have seen first hand how dedicated and supportive all the coaches are.

I’m from a running background, and have competed in distance ranging from 5km to marathons, including London, Berlin and Boston. I have also taken part in triathlon relays but my ultimate challenge is to complete in a triathlon! However, firstly I need to learn to swim and cycle! That’s when I decided to enrol on the ‘Couch to Tri’.

What makes our club so unique is that our members are from a diverse background and we’re inclusive of all abilities, whether you’re a beginner like myself or a seasonal pro competing for GB!

Endurance sports have always been part of my life, having competed in running events since the age of ten (cross country, middle distance track and road races). When injuries started to limit my running, I soon got into cycling, initially on a mountain bike but then on the road too. I had an ambition to try triathlon for a long time, but it was only when I started regularly swimming while my son had his weekly swimming lesson that I finally got serious about completing a triathlon. I joined Westcroft Triathlon Club in 2016 with my first training session being a much needed introduction to open water swimming. I completed my first sprint triathlon in 2017 and have since completed a number of sprint and standard distance events. Running remains my strongest discipline, but I thoroughly enjoy the variety provided by triathlon and still get a buzz out of managing to string all three disciplines together in one event! I have been club secretary since the end of 2018.

I’ve always been passionate about sports, hence when I got a chance to do my first triathlon in 2017, I jumped at it. I loved it but also struggled with a lot. I had water leaking into my swim goggles and nearly got a brain freeze! That’s when I realised I needed to prepare better and there was so much more I could learn. So I decided to join Westcroft triathlon club. I’ve always enjoyed running, but the club really helped me improve my swimming and cycling. Since then I have got to do many more events, including triathlons, cycling events and running events. I’ve felt so supported by the club, no matter how slow or fast I was, no matter if the event went well or was a disaster!
Also what I realised was that triathlon is a sport where everyone feels welcome, no matter the background, the ability and the experience. There’s something in it for everybody. And you can really find your place in it. I really  believe that the strength of any team lies in its inclusivity, empathy and shared passion. And the club really supports all of these. Hence when I got the opportunity to be the diversity and inclusion ambassador I knew that was a perfect role for me.