Meet the Team

Committee

Rob Johnson
Chair

Rob is proud to be the club’s current Chairperson, having lived on the Isle of Wight since 2019 and been involved in the sport of triathlon for over 25 years and swimming all his life. He has been lucky enough to include his passion for sport as part of his career working with global sports brands, federations and Olympic committees – but he has a feeling he’ll get the most reward from being on this committee.

His family are all dedicated to some form of sport, even the dog gets to join in the swims, bikes and runs.

He hopes to be able to give as many kids as possible the opportunity to have a go at triathlon either here on the island or off the island so they too can experience the challenge and enjoyment that multisport can bring.

Ali Jenkinson
Secretary

Ali has been involved in the club since her then 7 year old son joined in 2018. She became Welfare Officer soon after and now holds the role of secretary. She had a brief period of taking part in triathlons before her family came along. It took nearly 10 years for her to compete in another one but was motivated to do so watching all our young athletes train and compete. She will say that speed is not her strength but she is happy to simply finish a race in one piece and hopes this demonstrates to her own children, and the other club members, that it’s the taking part that counts!!!! She has now two children actively involved in the club and has travelled all over the country for them to take part in events.

Neil Brinsdon
Treasurer

Neil is our dedicated Treasurer with a passion for managing finances in the club. He has a keen eye for detail and ensures we are all kept in check. Beyond the world of numbers, Neil has a background as a cycle coach and was inspired to help at tri club when his son joined.

Lisa Guile
Welfare Officer

Lisa’s two daughters are members of the club and she became Welfare Officer in April 2022. Lisa has a wealth of knowledge around safeguarding and welfare within her job as a family support worker.

Coaches

Club Coaching Philosophy,

To help athletes discover a joy and enthusiasm for being active in triathlon in a fun and safe environment. By offering a varied and challenging programme of activity, the coaches aim to motivate our athletes to develop their enthusiasm into fundamental skills. Encouraging a good attitude to training and competing, the coaches strive to instil our members with pride in their personal and club achievements.

Simon Pilcher
Level 3 BTF Coach

Simons involvement with the club began when his daughter became a member and after some time led to him undertaking his coaching badges. He has a keen interest in coaching, Being a level 3 British triathlon coach as well as holding UK athletics and training peaks coaching certifications.

He has has been a keen runner for last 20 years, moving into multi sport later in life. He is currently competing as an AG athlete in middle distance duathlon.

Mark Jenkinson
Level 1 Club Coach

Mark joined the club due to his son taking an interest in triathlons. It obviously runs in the family as Mark has been doing triathlons with his two brothers since 2002. Whilst triathlons had been around since the 80’s, it was still a very new sport in 2002 and not many events were available. In 2003 he did his first olympic distance on what was the Commonwealth Circuit in Manchester. He now had the bug even though he was not very good! It didn’t matter – it was about the variety of training and keeping fit (oh and trying to beat his brothers!). In 2008 he completed his one and only Ironman in Austria. Maybe one day he might do another – watch this space. This is his first coaching role but is keen to get actively involved with the club.

Laura Bunn
Level 1 Coach

Laura has two daughters in the club and as she can’t beat them, she has joined them. She loves running (slowly), swam the Solent long ago, occasionally ride her bike for cake, but had never tried all three together. Seeing the club athletes compete was an inspiration and she felt she should do a triathlon if she was going to be part of the club – Hever Castle standard distance was her tick in that box! She generally prefers supporting to competing and believes that spectating is a discipline in itself! At tri events or XC league, she will be running around the course, hollering encouragement to all the club athletes, much to her girls’ dismay. She loves supporting all the young triathletes in their training and seeing all the fun they have through sport. In a bid to be useful, she became a Level 1 coach in May 2023.