Likes - running, blueberry muffins, 'Spooks' on TV. Dislikes - swimming, spiders, cider. Competing for 6 years. Competed in all distances from sprint to Ironman. First Race - Stratford Sprint Tri
Best Race - IM UK 3rd in age group, 17th overall. Aims for future - beat 12hr IM, try to get in GB Duathlon team or Qualify for 70.3 World Champs, do sub 3.15 marathon. Other Interests/ Sports-
Middle distance running for county and midlands U15/U17/ U20, played football at Uni and for Bedford Bells in the 4th round of the FA Cup, played Hockey for Northampton Ladies. Support Walsall football club. Like watching detective series/ reading detective books. Coaching qualifications - have taught PE for 7+ years, level 2 football coach level 1 trampoline coach, level 1 Tri Coach hoping to do level 2 Tri coach as soon as possible. Am responsible for the Athletics, Cross-Country and yr 7 Netball teams at school, have also coached women's football academy at college and all other school sports teams - hockey, basketball, rounders, etc. CRB check completed May 2005

I am aged 48, married to Yvonne and we have two children: Sarah aged 22 and Matthew aged 12.  I live in Boughton Vale near Brownsover and have been a member of Rugby Triathlon for 2 and a half years.  I am a Level 1 British Triathlon coach, having completed my course earlier this year (2006).  I am also a Level 2 UK Athletics coach and you can find me at the athletics track (by the Ken Marriot Leisure Centre) between 6:30 and 7:30 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  I have always loved running middle and long distance and now enjoy running the junior middle distance group for Rugby & Northampton Athletic Club. Both of my children have competed in triathlons.  Sarah is now a member of Cardiff Triathlon Club and has completed about 4 sprint events including our own Rugby Triathlon.  She wants to extend next year to open water swimming and to stretch herself on the running side she is competing in this years Cardiff Half Marathon on October 15th.  Matthew, as well as training with the Tri Club and the Athletics Club has taken part in the British Triathlon West Midlands Junior Series and competed at events including Birmingham, Warwick, Stratford, Derby and Leicester. CRB check completed October 2006.

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After spending most of my life playing football and enjoying the occasional run, when it came to the time I decided to hang up my boots I wasn't too sure what to do next. Then a friend suggested that I try a local Sprint Triathlon, held in Banbury. With very little training and a borrowed bike (with only 3 of the 20 gears working) I completed it. That was it, strangely, I was hooked! Within a short time I had joined Rugby Triathlon Club and was preparing for my first season in Triathlon's. 3 years later I had competed in many races and club events, finishing runner up in the Novice Sprint and Third in the Novice Olympic Club Championships in my first and second years respectively. Culminating in 2006 with a finish in the Frankfurt Ironman. Having gained this experience, I wanted to put something back into the club and the sport, so I gained my Assistant Junior Coach - Level 1 qualification in September 2006, where I hope to help develop the junior members of the club and get experience and progress as a coach. CRB check completed October 2006

I started Triathlon about 18 years ago, when fluorescent trisuits were all the rage! After trying out lots of other sports, I ended up getting hooked on Triathlon and in 2002, set about starting a new Triathlon club in Rugby. Together with 5 other like - minded friends, we put together the beginnings of Rugby Triathlon Club and slowly built it up to a thriving concern, with over 60 members. I have been a sports lecturer for 8 years and have a number of coaching qualifications including British triathlon level 2 coach. CRB check completed July 2005

Helen Childs - coach

Hi my name is Helen Childs. I am 44 years old and have been a member of Rugby Triathlon club since the beginning of 2005. I have always had an active interest in sport, playing Hockey and Tennis back in my school days, and then playing Squash for many years. Over the past 2 years I have successfully completed a number of Sprint Distance Triathlons including London Triathlon 2005. I have achieved the Level 1 Coaching Qualification and I am keen to help more young people get involved with the Junior Club and experience this fabulous sport. The regular weekly coaching we receive at the club has certainly helped me improve massively in the Triathlon disciplines and its' great fun. My husband Andy is also one of the Junior Club Coaches, and our 2 children, Emily and Joe have a keen interest in the sport.

Andy Childs - coach

Andy Childs – Grew up in Rugby and although moved around a lot, have ended up back here, age - not quite as old as my wife. Sports background mainly in canoeing where I competed in the top 100 in the country for many years. I am a qualified kayak coach and I coach locally. I ran my first half marathon in 1987, first triathlon in1989 but over the last two years have become more focused on triathlon, although I am still to rise to the challenge of an Ironman. Qualified triathlon level 1 coach who believes sport is for everyone to enjoy no matter what your natural ability.

As a youngster (10-16yrs) I swam competitively with the Rugby Swimming Club.  My best achievement during this period was reaching the Nationals, age 12, doing 100m backstroke.  It was held in Blackpool and I seem to remember it being a salt water pool, I wasn’t high on the leader board but was chuffed nonetheless with my performance. I then took a break from swimming to concentrate on O an A levels (showing my age now!), then I headed to Sheffield to do my nurse training and had a fantastic time in the process!  I have worked within Intensive Care for the last 12years. I joined the Rugby Triathlon Club 3 years ago in a moment of madness and haven’t looked back!  The guys/gals are really supportive, friendly and have masses of knowledge/experience within triathlon, which is a huge benefit. Having never been a runner or cyclist I struggle with those disciplines and although not the fastest kid on the block, I have stuck with it and enjoy triathlon immensely.  My greatest achievement was this year (2006) when I successfully completed the 70.3 in Exmoor.  It was the hardest thing I have ever done mentally and physically but the proudest I’d ever felt about any personal achievement.  I also managed to raise £1500 for Prostate Cancer doing the event. This year I also attained my level 2 swim teachers award and as well as being a volunteer with the Rugby Junior Tri section I also teach 3 yrs and upwards swimming which I find very rewarding.  Currently I am in the process of setting up swimming lessons at Kettering Park Hotel.

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