About us
Coaching Team
Joint Head coach
John Golding
Name & Role
John Golding, Joint head coach
Triathlon Qualifications
British Triathlon Group & Personal coach
Other Qualifications
Diploma in Triathlon
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
You’re faster when your happy, find joy in the process and the journey, fitness and confidence will grow over time
Favourite Race or Event
Ironman Wales, its not one for a PB but the atmosphere and athlete experience in unbelievable
Something People Might Not Know About You
Although now retired, I was a ships captain and was proud to represent my company at the queen’s garden party and onboard the Royal Yacht Brittania.
Proudest Triathlon Moment
Many memories, but crossing the line on my first ironman in Austria with all my family waiting for me was emotional and the journey to get there was enormously rewarding.
Coaching Philosophy
I love helping athletes achieve their dream, some start unable to swim a length without getting out of breath, but then go onto achieving much more than they thought was capable.
Progress is rarely linear, small steps still move you forward, so celebrate the small gains as they add up to big wins.
John Golding, Joint head coach
Triathlon Qualifications
British Triathlon Group & Personal coach
Other Qualifications
Diploma in Triathlon
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
You’re faster when your happy, find joy in the process and the journey, fitness and confidence will grow over time
Favourite Race or Event
Ironman Wales, its not one for a PB but the atmosphere and athlete experience in unbelievable
Something People Might Not Know About You
Although now retired, I was a ships captain and was proud to represent my company at the queen’s garden party and onboard the Royal Yacht Brittania.
Proudest Triathlon Moment
Many memories, but crossing the line on my first ironman in Austria with all my family waiting for me was emotional and the journey to get there was enormously rewarding.
Coaching Philosophy
I love helping athletes achieve their dream, some start unable to swim a length without getting out of breath, but then go onto achieving much more than they thought was capable.
Progress is rarely linear, small steps still move you forward, so celebrate the small gains as they add up to big wins.
Joint Head Coach
Philip Smith
Name & Role
Phil Smith, Joint head coach
Triathlon Qualifications
British Triathlon Group coach
Other Qualifications
British Triathlon Open Water and Indoor Cycling Coach
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
Learn the Sport and enjoy it, have fun, faster and further will come. You don't need to start with a target of Ironman.
Favourite Race or Event
Swindon Olympic 1990, achieved PB which I never bettered as part of preparation for Ironman distance event.
Something People Might Not Know About You
Early 1970's Weight training in same East London gym as Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Proudest Triathlon Moment
Ironman distance event 1990 with Parents marshalling on the run and all the family cheering me on.
Coaching Philosophy
"Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can."
As a Coach I get immense satisfaction and pleasure from knowing I have been involved in someone's journey.
Phil Smith, Joint head coach
Triathlon Qualifications
British Triathlon Group coach
Other Qualifications
British Triathlon Open Water and Indoor Cycling Coach
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
Learn the Sport and enjoy it, have fun, faster and further will come. You don't need to start with a target of Ironman.
Favourite Race or Event
Swindon Olympic 1990, achieved PB which I never bettered as part of preparation for Ironman distance event.
Something People Might Not Know About You
Early 1970's Weight training in same East London gym as Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Proudest Triathlon Moment
Ironman distance event 1990 with Parents marshalling on the run and all the family cheering me on.
Coaching Philosophy
"Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can."
As a Coach I get immense satisfaction and pleasure from knowing I have been involved in someone's journey.
Run Coach
Philip Nicholls
Coach
benjamin hughes
Triathlon qualifications: BTF Group coach (Lvl 2 coach)
Other qualifications: strength and conditioning coach
Best peace of advice for athletes: Work on the basics and you will see progress in time
Favorite race : out of ones I have done it would have to be Blenheim palace, the venue is amazing and the organization was brilliant. But out of local events Gosfield is by favorite.
Something people might not know about me : I used to be a Chef and have worked at both Walt Disney world Florida and for the Royal household at Windsor Castle.
Proudest triathlon moments: completing my first ever triathlon back in 2010 , this was a Born2Tri event in Halstead.
Coaching philosophy / Motto: strip it back to basics and build good form before you try to add speed.
Other qualifications: strength and conditioning coach
Best peace of advice for athletes: Work on the basics and you will see progress in time
Favorite race : out of ones I have done it would have to be Blenheim palace, the venue is amazing and the organization was brilliant. But out of local events Gosfield is by favorite.
Something people might not know about me : I used to be a Chef and have worked at both Walt Disney world Florida and for the Royal household at Windsor Castle.
Proudest triathlon moments: completing my first ever triathlon back in 2010 , this was a Born2Tri event in Halstead.
Coaching philosophy / Motto: strip it back to basics and build good form before you try to add speed.
Coach
melissa dowell
Name & Role
Melissa Dowell Swim Coach
Triathlon Qualifications
British Triathlon Foundation Coach
Other Qualifications
STA level 2 Open Water Swimming Coach
SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
Race with a smile and always thank the Marshalls
Favourite Race or Event
The Norseman triathlon has been a highlight of my triathlon journey … took so many years to get a place and such hard work for a black t-shirt
Something People Might Not Know About You
Took part in the Great North Skinny Dip 2025 alongside 1800 others
Proudest Triathlon moment
Winning my age group at Ironman Austria during a 40 degree heatwave
Coaching Philosophy / Personal Motto
Embrace the pain during racing, it won’t last forever, but quitting does
Melissa Dowell Swim Coach
Triathlon Qualifications
British Triathlon Foundation Coach
Other Qualifications
STA level 2 Open Water Swimming Coach
SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
Race with a smile and always thank the Marshalls
Favourite Race or Event
The Norseman triathlon has been a highlight of my triathlon journey … took so many years to get a place and such hard work for a black t-shirt
Something People Might Not Know About You
Took part in the Great North Skinny Dip 2025 alongside 1800 others
Proudest Triathlon moment
Winning my age group at Ironman Austria during a 40 degree heatwave
Coaching Philosophy / Personal Motto
Embrace the pain during racing, it won’t last forever, but quitting does
Coach
Hayley Lamkin
Name & Role
Hayley Lamkin - Coach
Triathlon Qualifications
Group Coach
Other Qualifications
Strength & Conditioning MCs
Sport, Fitness & Coaching Science BCs
Leader in Running Fitness
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
Consistency beats perfection - it’s not about smashing every session, it’s about showing up and trusting the process. Train with purpose, understand why you’re doing what you’re doing and enjoy the journey along the way.
Favourite Race or Event
Ironman 70.3 Bolton - it was my first middle distance. I was going into the unknown yet I had a smile from ear to ear the whole way and was thrilled with my performance. I finished knowing I wanted to do more, and further!
Something People Might Not Know About You
I played rugby as a kid, but I had to stop this as I was really getting into my athletics where I was a sprinter and wanted to be a heptathlete, I just couldn’t high jump.
Proudest Triathlon Moment
Qualifying for the World Sprint Champs. I didn’t start my triathlon journey thinking I would qualify for a champs, let alone compete in Australia against the world.
Coaching Philosophy / Personal Motto (Optional)
I love helping athletes see what they’re truly capable of by training with purpose and consistency. My coaching philosophy is all about building confidence, enjoying the process and creating long-term progress - not chasing short-term results. It never fails to make me happy seeing someone achieve something they never thought was possible within their triathlon journey, big or small.
Hayley Lamkin - Coach
Triathlon Qualifications
Group Coach
Other Qualifications
Strength & Conditioning MCs
Sport, Fitness & Coaching Science BCs
Leader in Running Fitness
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
Consistency beats perfection - it’s not about smashing every session, it’s about showing up and trusting the process. Train with purpose, understand why you’re doing what you’re doing and enjoy the journey along the way.
Favourite Race or Event
Ironman 70.3 Bolton - it was my first middle distance. I was going into the unknown yet I had a smile from ear to ear the whole way and was thrilled with my performance. I finished knowing I wanted to do more, and further!
Something People Might Not Know About You
I played rugby as a kid, but I had to stop this as I was really getting into my athletics where I was a sprinter and wanted to be a heptathlete, I just couldn’t high jump.
Proudest Triathlon Moment
Qualifying for the World Sprint Champs. I didn’t start my triathlon journey thinking I would qualify for a champs, let alone compete in Australia against the world.
Coaching Philosophy / Personal Motto (Optional)
I love helping athletes see what they’re truly capable of by training with purpose and consistency. My coaching philosophy is all about building confidence, enjoying the process and creating long-term progress - not chasing short-term results. It never fails to make me happy seeing someone achieve something they never thought was possible within their triathlon journey, big or small.
Coach
Anthony Bryan
Committee
Chairman
Philip Nicholls
Secretary
Emma Hodson
Name & Role
Emma Hodson, Club Secretary
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
Keep it fun, Enjoy it or it becomes a chore. You also don't need top of the range equipment, You just need commitment and determination!
Favourite Race or Event
Probably London marathon just for the incredible support all around the course.
Something People Might Not Know About You
Used to be a hurdler at school and competed for South London. Sally Gunnell was my hero!
Proudest Triathlon Moment
Just conquering my fear of open water swimming
Coaching Philosophy / Personal Motto
Smile and pretend it don't hurt
Emma Hodson, Club Secretary
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes
Keep it fun, Enjoy it or it becomes a chore. You also don't need top of the range equipment, You just need commitment and determination!
Favourite Race or Event
Probably London marathon just for the incredible support all around the course.
Something People Might Not Know About You
Used to be a hurdler at school and competed for South London. Sally Gunnell was my hero!
Proudest Triathlon Moment
Just conquering my fear of open water swimming
Coaching Philosophy / Personal Motto
Smile and pretend it don't hurt
Treasurer
David Howson
Social Secretary
Hannah Ritchie
Social Secretay
Michelle Sheridan
Best Piece of Advice for Athletes - consistency beats intensity. Train regularly, master the basics and prioritise staying healthy over chasing big workouts.
Favourite Race or Event - Cotswolds 113. Really friendly event. Swim was lovely, water so clear!
Something People Might Not Know About You - I like to talk a lot haha!
Proudest Triathlon moment - completing IronMan Tallin, August 2025
Personal Motto - I always tell myself to ‘Be bothered’. Take care to do things to the best of my ability.
Favourite Race or Event - Cotswolds 113. Really friendly event. Swim was lovely, water so clear!
Something People Might Not Know About You - I like to talk a lot haha!
Proudest Triathlon moment - completing IronMan Tallin, August 2025
Personal Motto - I always tell myself to ‘Be bothered’. Take care to do things to the best of my ability.
Social media lead
benjamin hughes
Best peace of advice for athletes: Work on the basics and you will see progress in time
Favorite race : out of ones I have done it would have to be Blenheim palace, the venue is amazing and the organization was brilliant. But out of local events Gosfield is by favorite.
Something people might not know about me : I used to be a Chef and have worked at both Walt Disney world Florida and for the Royal household at Windsor Castle.
Proudest triathlon moments: completing my first ever triathlon back in 2010 , this was a Born2Tri event in Halstead.
Coaching philosophy / Motto: strip it back to basics and build good form before you try to add speed.
Favorite race : out of ones I have done it would have to be Blenheim palace, the venue is amazing and the organization was brilliant. But out of local events Gosfield is by favorite.
Something people might not know about me : I used to be a Chef and have worked at both Walt Disney world Florida and for the Royal household at Windsor Castle.
Proudest triathlon moments: completing my first ever triathlon back in 2010 , this was a Born2Tri event in Halstead.
Coaching philosophy / Motto: strip it back to basics and build good form before you try to add speed.
Welfare officer
Paul Spowage
Best piece of advice. Make the decision to train every day … then you must make a positive decision not to train rather than looking out the window and deciding !!
Favourite event is the Xterra off road triathlon
People might not know I was brought up in Hong Kong and held the national marathon record from 1984 for 35 years at 2hrs 21
Proudest triathlon moment was being crowned European age group sprint triathlon champion in 2023
Philosophy : Enjoy every day of training and racing as you never know when you will have to stop .
Favourite event is the Xterra off road triathlon
People might not know I was brought up in Hong Kong and held the national marathon record from 1984 for 35 years at 2hrs 21
Proudest triathlon moment was being crowned European age group sprint triathlon champion in 2023
Philosophy : Enjoy every day of training and racing as you never know when you will have to stop .