WTC Club Committee

Sharon Scott

Sharon Scott

Chair

I’ve always been involved in sport, starting in athletics, then onto playing club netball, followed by korfball and then into marathon running. I’d never cycled and swimming was a leisurely breast stroke in a hotel pool on holiday!  So signing up for a tri was most definitely something new.  Now 3 years on I have completed a number of triathlons, have come first in my age group and am now looking to gain the London Classic medal which includes cycling 100 miles as part of Ride London and swimming the Serpentine which is 2 miles distance to add to my London Marathon medals. I’m a firm believer in having fun, particularly as part of sport and took on the role of social Secretary in 2019 and was approached in 2020 to become Chair. 

Andy Long

Andy Long

Vice Chair

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. 

Simon Bailey

Simon Bailey

Head Coach

I came into Triathlon a decade ago after a 20 year gap from sport while focused on family and career. It started with a friend asking me to join her for the Thames Turbo, which I enjoyed so much I wanted to join a club and found Westcroft Tri Club when I overheard Rachel talking in the poolside shower! 10 years later and I’ve completed (not competed) many more Sprint, Olympic and Half-Ironman distance events, and, more importantly, helped others to do the same. I first volunteered to help out with the kids coaching in 2016 when we had an average of 5 attendees. Since then I have completed my level 1 and level 2 coaching and now, as head junior coach, I am lucky enough to be supported by a fantastic team of coaches. We’ve grown the kids section tenfold in size by focusing on fun and participation. I brought that same ethos to the adult section when I came up with the idea of “Couch to Sprint Tri” aimed at getting novices or lapsed athletes across the line at the end of their first triathlon. One of the highlights of my triathlon career to date was cheering on the first cohort of 20 new triathletes at the Thames Turbo where it all started for me a decade ago. And I’m looking forward to doing the same with our second course later this year.

Angela Smith

Angela Smith

Race Director & Junior Head Coach

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 ….

Steve Snook

Steve Snook

Diversity & Inclusion and Social Media

I decided to join westcroft triathlon club after my brother had completed an Ironman triathlon with his tri club in Portsmouth and said how much fun they are. I have never been very good at sport, having dyspraxia my coordination has never been good, but I love participating in it. I could jog, swim and cycle short distances before joining the club in 2019. Unfortunately I suffered a serious back injury early on but after spinal surgery I finally completed my first triathlon in 2021. My positive outlook on life definitely has helped and this triathlon club is one of the friendliest and most diverse around. I am a special needs teacher and I am very keen to ensure the club continues to have a diverse and inclusive culture throughout which it does in abundance. 😀

Steve Clancey

Steve Clancey

Club Secretary

I have a long background in enjoying sport, having played, coached and refereed football, played korfball and run marathons before discovering the trinity of triathlon.

I’m all about participation and encouraging people to enjoy such a wonderful sport. Also London Region Committee Member responsible for Welfare. Proud to be WTC Secretary.

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Jen Rimoldi

Jen Rimoldi

Welfare Officer and Junior Membership Secretary


welfare@westcrofttriathlonclub.com
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, so when I was approached to take on the role of Welfare Officer I happily agreed. 

 

Sam Dalziel

Sam Dalziel

Senior Membership Secretary

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….

Mike Eaton

Mike Eaton

Treasurer

I am not a triathlete! When my wife, Rachel, was chair of WTC, she took me out for a curry and persuaded me to be the treasurer, which I enjoy as the members are a great crowd.  I have supported Rachel’s triathlons in France, Holland, Switzerland, USA and all over the UK.  I am an expert on where to get a good breakfast at some unearthly hour of the morning at these triathlons and if any fellow supporter wants advice on this, please drop me a line.  For my own sport, I am a keen tennis player and I enthusiastically continue to try to be the best I can be and improve my age-group world ranking.

Graham Scott

Graham Scott

Covid-19 Officer

I ran a half marathon in around 2010 which I was really proud to have done. However that was it for me so for the next 8 years I did nothing. So when it was suggested I join “Couch to Tri” I thought it was time to get up and do something. (Much to my wife’s surprise)
Anyway, despite being somewhat overweight, I started albeit slowly. The coaches have been brilliant and I can say with total honesty there has been no judgement on ability or pressure to be something I’m not. It has been the most brilliant time being able to take part with my wife and a lovely group of people. I am probably as fit as I have ever been, have lost weight and love it all.

Shun-Lai Chan

Shun-Lai Chan

Kit Manager

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!

James Hibbert

James Hibbert

Events Captain

I joined Westcroft Triathlon Club via one of the ‘Couch to Tri’ programmes the club runs, after seeing my wife join the club in the previous intake. Both my wife and I competed at County and National levels in our chosen sports back when we were younger, but life and children took over, and the couch to Tri programme was perfect for us, giving us a real focus for getting fit again.
My background is predominately cycling, competing in many National, regional and club time trials, road races and on the velodrome over the years. Cycling remains my passion, although I do enjoy mixing it up with the other triathlon disciplines.

Annick Chan

Annick Chan

Social Secretary

I first heard about the ‘Couch to Sprint Triathlon’ programme that Westcroft Triathlon club ran from my friends and fancied a new challenge. I’ve always enjoyed cycling and completed many bike events over the years such as the Norwich 60 and cycling in Holland. However, I lost my confidence in cycling but after joining this club it gave me the push I needed to get back on the bike. With my running I’ve done a half marathon and completed the virtual London marathon in 2020 which was a great achievement for me. The only problem I had was I couldn’t swim well at all! I joined Westcroft keeping my fingers crossed with the swimming and even after 4 weeks of training with the amazing WTC coaches I felt my confidence grow in the water. Along with getting to know so many friendly, amazing people it is a lovely club to be part of. I am now looking forward to completing my first triathlon and running across the finish line. Being the WTC Social Secretary is loads of fun, I have always enjoyed organising social events and seeing everyone having a great time.

Rachel Eaton

Rachel Eaton

General Committee Member

I took up triathlons after I retired from synchronised swimming – probably not a lot of people say that! My first event was the trusty old Thames Turbo in 2006. Since then I have been very gradually getting more serious,  so that in the past couple of years I have managed to qualify for the GB age group team at standard distance.

I was a founder member of WTC, taking up the position of Treasurer on the first committee. I followed up 5 years as Treasurer with 3 years as Chairman before handing over into Sharon’s very capable hands. I’m currently enjoying supporting Sharon as Vice Chair and watching the club go from strength to strength.

Elinor Nippard

Elinor Nippard

Coach Administrator

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.

Katrina O'Brien

Katrina O'Brien

Parent Representative

I became the parent rep a year ago. I have two sons in the club who are at local primary and secondary schools. I don’t take part in triathlons myself but have recently completed the couch to 5k. I strongly believe that there are huge benefits in sport for children for their physical and mental well-being. Since joining WTC the boys have taken place in a number of triathlons including Crystal Palace, Westcroft Triathlon and Trinity Triathlon and more have recently taken part in virtual challenges. It’s a friendly junior club for all abilities.