PERTH TRI CLUB - Key Persons
Coming from a running background, Andy has been taking part in Triathlon for over two years and has raced for the club at Sprint, Olympic and Middle Distance level. He joined the Perth Triathlon Club coaching team in March 2017 and is keen to help club members improve their performance with triathlon specific training sessions. As well as triathlon he enjoys hillwalking, rock climbing and making sure everyone signs up to Strava!
Much like the McManus above, Ashleigh is primarily a swimmer, zwifter and pizzaaddict. Ashleigh was introduced to Triathlon as part of a team doing our very own Relay Wild event after coming from a swimming background. She immediately caught the bug, bought a road bike about 3 days after the event and started having fun and competing. Being an active coach of a Swim club and with a few years Triathlon experience Ashleigh hopped right into her level 2 Triathlon coaching qualification in 2019 and the British Triathlon High Performing Coach (Level 3) in 2022.
Ben did a bit of weightlifting at university, but almost no other sport for the subsequent 20 years,
Until he moved with his family to Perth and discovered the triathlon club as a counterpoint to both
David was county and district champion on the running track before switching focus to volleyball where he was a member of the famous Kilmarnock team which won many national trophies in the late eighties and early nineties. On retiring from the court David returned to running on a recreational basis before discovering the sport of triathlon, completing his first triathlon on a mountain bike and swimming breast stroke. Triathlon has provided a variety of challenges and David has competed at all distances from novice to long distance. While taking part in events primarily for fun, David also enjoys the challenge preparing for events and the satisfaction from reaching new targets. David has recently completed the first stage of the triathlon coaching programme and is keen to help athletes of all abilities get the most out of the sport by coaching sessions or discussing ways to improve performance and helping athletes set and progress towards achieving their goals.
I was talked into joining PTC by a friend with no intention of ever doing a triathlon, I just enjoyed the training aspect and gettingfit and healthy! There was never any pressure to do a race...however, 6 months in and I took part in my first triathlon in Edinburgh as part of a team on New Year's Day and thereafter took part in numerous sprints as part of a team and some solo events.
In August 2021 I did my first solo middle distance taking part in Starman Night Triathlon in Aviemore.
The club is very encouraging and I have made some great friends through the club and i have been a member for around 5 years now.
After taking 48 coached lessons before he could swim in his younger years, and removing the stabilisers from his bike at some ancient age, John decided it was time to join his local tri club! His favourite discipline is cycling, having recently treated himself to a ‘proper bike', and his least favourite is running, especially when it follows a long swim and bike ride!
He claims to "enjoy" (???) taking part in half iron man events, "at a leisurely pace"!! He completed his first half in 2020, and is working on improving his personal best. In addition to the coaching, John enjoys the camaraderie of being in the Club.
Kyran has been a triathlete for around 20 years. From a young age he has predominantly been a swimmer. Moving into triathlon at the age of 12 led on to his selection for the national junior squad where he competed for 5 years. Since growing old and finding that magical first grey hair Kyran has turned his hand to coaching and obtained his level 2 UKCC triathlon coach in 2015, and the British Triathlon High Performing Coach (Level 3) in 2022.
He also has a ridiculous obsession with pizza.
Rugby was my sport in my early years, and represented Scottish Universities, then Currie RFC in Scottish Premiership. I took up Triathlon in 2015, and joined Perth Tri Club. Following excellent Club coaching and training sessions and I have competed in many events from 'Try a Tri' up to Half Ironman. I'm now living in Isle of Harris, and planning to train for and complete a full Ironman in the future.
Paul started playing rugby at school and continued with the sport until 'retiring' in 2009. After a couple of years doing nothing sports related, he realised something was missing and turned to triathlon around 2015. Since then Paul has taken part in triathlons, running events, and sportives and enjoys the variety of training required.
I have been a member of the club for a number of years now and have enjoyed making new friends as well as training and taking part in sprint triathlons up to now. I am planning to do my first standard triathlon this year. As the membership secretary I look forward to speaking with and welcoming new members to the club.
Shona comes from a swimming background albeit a long time ago! She joined the club as a way of meeting new people and getting fit at the same time. Shona has completed novice and sprint triathlons and last year took part in open water swimming for the first time, which she really enjoyed. She has recently completed level 1 coaching course and says "Triathlon is a fun way of keeping fit and is open to anyone who is willing to give it a go. It is such an inclusive sport that provides opportunities for athletes whatever their aim in the sport may be.
Shona qualified as level 2 Coach earlier this year
After many years of playing Rugby at a social level, and finally succumbing to age and injury, Steve was introduced to triathlon through some friends. After learning to swim and ride a bike, his first series of events in 2007 left him hooked on the sport, following which he joined PTC and gained Level 2 coaching accreditation in 2012. After a short spell abroad, Steve returned to PTC in 2015 and resumed coaching and triathlon activity. Steve prefers to focus on Sprint distance events and is particularly keen on open-water swims.