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MEET OUR COACHES

Our experienced coaches are here to help you reach your goals in athletics. From jumps, throws, sprints or endurance, you will find a coach dedicated coach with expertise in your chosen disciplines who can help you be your best

SPRINTS

Sprints Coaches

Nicholas Harris

Known as Nick , he's been coaching athletics since 2004. 

Coaching at School , Club and International levels. 

His credits include:

2017   IPC world championships , silver and bronze. 

2019   IPC World Championships   Bronze.

2021    9th Ranked World Athlete 400m

2023   Welsh International Championships Gold.

Since 2016 Nick has been working with and trained by British Athletics on the British Athletics Futures Programme . His continued goal is to develop athletes within Bristol and surrounding areas in sprints to 800m coming from a 400m 800m background. 

Nick offers Sprints (plus 800m) sessions for primary, secondary and para-athletes on Mondays (7pm, by invitation – Street 2 Stadium), Tuesdays & Thursdays (6pm Primary, 6.30pm Secondary), Fridays (6–7.30pm One-to-One, by invitation), Saturdays (10am Club, 10.30am Street 2 Stadium – by invitation, 12pm Para Athletics), and Sundays (10am Pre-club & Primary).

Eugene Hechavarria

Eugene is an enthusiastic, UKA qualified coach with years of experience. He is still ranked 4th all time in the u15 triple jump and holds the best ever Intermediate boys English Schools performance for since 1978. Eugene uses his experience as an elite level athlete combined with years of coaching athletes of all levels to help you reach your potential.
Eugene coaches on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Whitehall track.

HURDLES

Hurdles Coaches

Julie Alexander

Julie Alexander is a UKA qualified coach, offering Hurdles and High Jump sessions for 11 yrs+ on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bath University (by invitation only)

ENDURANCE

Endurance Coaches

Chris Elson

Chris is responsible for guiding a broad spectrum of club runners to achieve their potential in endurance and middle-distance running. He conducts sessions at Whitehall on Tuesdays (endurance 6.15pm warm up and middle distance 7.10pm warm up), Thursdays (7.10 warm up) and Friday evenings (6.00pm at Whitehall and at WISE on Wednesdays (6.15pm), the last two with Nick Crewe.

Ali Hurford

"Sport has been an extremely important part of my life & I have been a member of several athletics clubs since aged 10. Initially I began my athletics career as a successful sprint hurdler followed by an interesting transition to middle distance & cross country running when I joined Bristol & West AC. I consider myself extremely lucky to have experienced both how to train as a sprinter & endurance runner. I have been coaching the junior boys endurance group since 2004 & apart from a lot of fun it has kept me young at heart. Spending time with young athletes & their parents can be hugely rewarding & I continue to learn & adapt to the needs & requirements necessary to produce successful athletes competing for Bristol & West AC"

Nick Crew

Nick Crew is a UKA qualified coach and personal trainer who specialises in endurance sessions for senior runners. Sessions take place on Mondays (6.15pm) and Wednesdays (6.15pm warm-up for a 6.30pm start) at WISE.

Nick began his coaching journey after completing an England Athletics Leadership in Running Fitness course, which led him to set up a local running group and pursue full coaching qualifications. He is passionate about making running fun, inclusive, and structured, helping individuals improve their technique, fitness, and confidence—whether they’re aiming for a specific goal or simply enjoying the journey.

Nick believes running is for everyone and takes pride in seeing people achieve their goals, supported by a welcoming and encouraging group environment.

David Taylor

Team Taylor has undergone three distinctive phases:

The first phase, up to 2009, involved training twice a week working with the U13 Girls - U17 Ladies. This brought various successes but mainly in cross country.

2009–2013, and largely thanks to a conversation with Hilary Nash, the team changed direction.

In this time, the team produced 13 separate representatives at English Schools from 800–3000m, resulting in four silver and one bronze medals at 800 and 1500m, a silver in the English Schools Games, and one member representing England in the SIAB.

There were further riches as the team also took 5 Midland Championship titles along with 9 SW Schools titles. There was a second England call-up for cross country.

Team Taylor’s final phase, 2013 to present day, is ‘The Age of the Masters’ (and some seniors). With the assistance of Clare and Sarah, this phase has probably been the most fruitful—with over 10 British Masters titles, 3 further Midland Senior titles including the 2k Steeplechase, a team silver medal in the European Masters 5k road race, 2 Welsh Senior medals, and a Senior British Championship 3k Steeplechase bronze. Several of the team have rightly been rewarded with England and Welsh Masters call-ups, which has produced a further 3 England team medals.

Throughout Phases 2 & 3, eleven of the team have been listed inside the top 22 in the National Power of 10 rankings for their age group.

Chris Palmer

Chris Palmer is a UKA qualified coach, offering Endurance (Middle Distance) sessions for seniors on Mondays and Wednesdays (7–8.30pm) at Whitehall.

Dave Bedwell

David Bedwell is a UKA qualified coach, working with both junior and senior middle- and long-distance runners. He currently coaches our U15, U17, and U20 boys in endurance, supporting them to individual and team medal success.

David offers sessions on Tuesdays (6.15pm warm-up at The Downs or Harbourside) and Sundays (10am at Ashton Court Pavilion), with additional main sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Whitehall.

The junior boys’ endurance group is team-managed by Emma Withers. Please contact David and Emma to find out more.

Dan Lambourne

Dan Lambourne is a UKA qualified coach, offering Endurance sessions for youth female athletes on Mondays and Wednesdays (6.30–7.30pm) at Whitehall.

THROWS

Throws Coaches

Ken Holmes

Ken Holmes is a UKA qualified coach, offering Throws sessions for U17s and older on Wednesdays (5.30–7.30pm) at Whitehall.

Hilary Nash

A level 3 sprints and development coach with wide experience of coaching sprints, jumps and throws but in recent times has concentrated on introducing young athletes to throwing events.

JUMPS

Jumps Coaches

Paul Weston

Paul Weston is a UKA qualified coach, offering Jumps sessions for various age groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays (6–7.30pm) and Sundays (10.15am–12pm) at Whitehall (by invitation only).

Eugene Hechavarria

Eugene is an enthusiastic, UKA qualified coach with years of experience. He is still ranked 4th all time in the u15 triple jump and holds the best ever Intermediate boys English Schools performance for since 1978. Eugene uses his experience as an elite level athlete combined with years of coaching athletes of all levels to help you reach your potential.
Eugene offers Sprints & Jumps sessions for various age groups on Mondays (7.15–8.30pm), Tuesdays (6–7.30pm, by invitation only), and Wednesdays (7.15–8.30pm)

ASSISTANT COACHES

Assistant Coaches

Tim Down

Rob Draper

Aaron Carter

Aaron is an Assistant Coach assisting Nick Harris.

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