Coaches
Ian Murphy
Coaching Officer Ian Murphy started cycling in 1982 with Preston Wheelers, competing in Time Trials of various distances. He turned to Road Racing and Criteriums in the mid 80s after joining Ribble Valley CRC and in the early 90s gained his 2nd Cat license with Team Rapide following wins in Criteriums and placings in Road Races. Preston Wheelers Hill Climb Champion for 3 years, Ian has also competed in Cyclo Cross, Track Racing, Tandem Time Trials and Mountain Bike races. He turned to Triathlon in 1998 after a 5 year break from Cycle Racing and is a UEL accredited Personal Trainer and Masseur as well as being a qualified BTA Level 2 Coach.
Ian is the current Triathlon England North West Region Coach of the Year.
Jim Townhill
Chairman Jim Townhill spent 10 years in the Army before leaving to retrain and become a chiropractor. A former rugby player, he started running to keep fit after giving up contact sport. The distances got longer and he completed several multi day ultra marathons before deciding there was more to life than just running and tried swimming and cycling as well! He now competes mainly at Ironman distance but manages to fit in a few olympic and sprint distances to try and be a little more sociable for his long standing supporter and wife Sharon.
Nicola Brookes
Ladies Captain Nicola Brookes was Tri Preston's "Most Improved Triathlete of the Year" back in 2005. Requiring a challenge after years of going to the gym with no particular aim and only able to swim breast stroke badly, Nicola started to have swim coaching and went out for her first group ride with the club in November 2003. After 40 miles in the freezing cold she still wasn't put off and completed her first Triathlon at the Chester Deva Divas in July 2005. Nicola loves the sport and loves the training; so much so that she is starting a BTA Level 1 coaching course in September 2007 with the aim of putting something back into the club by helping new and existing club members.
More Info
Tri Preston are continually looking for additional coaches to assist with the running, cycling and swimming sessions. If you are able to assist on the coaching side or you are interested in taking coaching qualifications, make your interest known to the club committee, as we may be able to help with your future development.
