Tom Wooldridge: Junior Club Coordinator and Level 1 Coach
Before my older daughter started with CTC in 2017, I hadn’t given triathlon much thought. My sporting interests were primarily running, followed by cycling, with swimming a distant third. However, I rapidly saw how enjoyable and rewarding triathlon can be and started to help out with events and the occasional session. Since the beginning of 2019, I have been helping out on a regular basis with the Saturday coaching sessions, have helped to organise the club aquathlon over the past few years, and managed to complete my first aquathlon. It’s hugely satisfying to see the enthusiasm and effort that the children put into the training and racing, and to be able to help with their progress and improvement. The support from coaches and others involved in the juniors section is fantastic and it’s great to be part of such a positive and friendly club.
Tim Williams: Training Coordinator & Level 3 Coach
I’ve been involved with triathlon since my wife to be, Heather, took it up in the early 1990s. She was a swimmer and I was a cyclist. She went on to become a professional triathlete, National Elite Champion and GB International before she retired, and afterwards was British Triathlon Performance Director through two Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 and London 2012. I stuck to bike racing initially and then, as Heather’s career took off, focused increasingly on coaching: first her and then others. Those others have included children and adults, cyclists and triathletes, novices and World Champions.
I’ve been involved with the Cambridge Triathlon Club for many years. I’m the Training Coordinator and senior coach. I started the Junior Club in 2003 and, though I stepped away from regular Saturday morning sessions in 2008 to set up the (British Triathlon) Regional Academy, I’m still closely involved: particularly with the Dragons. And I still run the Regional Academy.
Away from triathlon, actually I never really get away from it, as I’m a fulltime professional coach.
Tim Sallows: Level 2 Coach
Having dipped in and out of cycling and triathlon in the past, I started to get involved with the training sessions as a parent helper when my eldest son joined the Club in the spring of 2016. Since that time my younger son joined the club, I qualified as a Level 1 Coach and in January 2019 I took on the role of Junior Coordinator. Becoming a Level 1 Coach was a straightforward process and the club has lots of resources to help with the ‘homework’ required to complete the course, which was a great help. I hope to be able to complete my Level 2 Coaching qualification, if time permits.
Taking on the role of Junior Co-ordinator was a little daunting at first, as I’m not always the most organised with my paperwork, but it has proved more rewarding than I thought. I take pride in being able to help develop and support not only the junior athletes, but also the volunteers involved with Club activities. I hope they are enjoying supporting our core coaching team as they are becoming more confident each time they participate. My aim is to build up a great coaching team and volunteer bank to take us forward over the next few years, as we will no doubt lose one or two of our existing coaches as their children grow too old for the Junior Club.
However, my favourite part of being involved in the club is supporting the junior athletes at races, cheering them on alongside their families, and seeing their hard work pay off. It has been very rewarding over the last few years to see the juniors overcome their personal challenges, and sometimes fears, to develop into independent young adults with great sportsmanship.
Aside from coaching, I have volunteered at the many events that the Club hosts including the Rob McLean triathlon, Club Aquathlon and time-trials, as both a parent and a coach, doing roles such as marshal and time-keeper, through coordinating marshals for events, to being a Race Director. I would encourage other parents/carers to get involved with the Club in whatever way they can: it is a rewarding experience.
Finally, my children have taken part in a wide range of local and national triathlons, so I am very happy to pass on my experience of racing in the Regional League, Castle Triathlon series, nation Super-Series and an Age Group qualifiers.
Pam Missenden: Level 2 Coach
I’ve always taken part in sports including ski-ing, fencing, windsurfing, tennis, and squash, but my all-time favourite is definitely cycling. I like nothing more than me and my bike being in (almost) perfect harmony! I came into triathlon in my late 40’s and subsequently took part in several World & European Championships. This sounds very grand but I need to say that I am very much a middle of the pack competitor. I simply love sport and how it makes me feel both physically and mentally.
I have been helping out at the Junior Club for a few months now and thoroughly enjoy being surrounded by such enthusiasm and an abundance of smiley faces (coaches and athletes).
I am delighted to have the opportunity to give something back the sport which has given me so much.
Tracey Brown: Activator
I’ve always been an outdoor sports person, a keen cyclist, swimmer who enjoys a bit of strength and conditioning too. I’ve taken part in various charity events over the years but have yet to put all three disciplines together to give triathlon a go, however, seeing all the young athletes is a huge inspiration to give it a try.
I have been an active volunteer with the juniors since my boys joined in 2016 and 2017. This started out by helping on poolside on a Friday night, this inspired me to obtain my Activator qualification. I’ve volunteered at club events in various roles and more recently held the role of Membership Coordinator.
Being part of the club is a great experience, everyone works so hard (juggling work, family life and volunteering) to ensure that the Club runs smoothly and provides the juniors with a positive experience. I’m very proud to be part of Junior Club and hope that others will consider volunteering too.
John Juckes: Level 2 Coach
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Kjell Van-Paridon: Level 2 Coach
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Rob Fincham: Foundation Coach
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Marian Bentley: Foundation Coach
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Alice Missenden: Welfare Officer
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Julia Johnstone: Membership
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John Moore: Level 1 Coach
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David Bettinson: Swim Bike Run Activator
During lockdown, my youngest daughter added “tryaflon” to a list of activities that we could do in the garden in between school work (swim on trampoline then cycle and run around the garden). I’d been a keen triathlete (one friend said obsessive) and didn’t want to impose this on her, but she wanted to be added to the junior tri waiting list and about a year later she went for a trial. Since then, she has enjoyed the training, racing and making friends, and her older sister has now joined as well.
I help at sessions when I can and took the Activator course last year. The children are a really nice bunch and I’m in awe of how much care and attention the committee put into the club. I really like how the junior club caters for all abilities and how, when racing, the members, young and old, look out for each other.
I had some great experiences and made good friends while a member of Cambridge Triathlon club; I hope the children do too.
Away from triathlon, most of my free time is spent coaching children at rugby. I currently coach and manage the Cambridge Rubies (girls) U12 team.
Caryn Reynolds
Rob King