Meet the Committee

I started on the Couch to 5K program with the Lakers in January 2018 - we ploughed on & completed it despite the beast from the east & graduated into the 5-10K transition. 

By the time I had completed my first 10K I was fully invested in the Lakers family. 

In 2020 I stepped forward to be a run leader but all courses were subsequently cancelled due to Covid-19, so I finally graduated as a run leader in April 2021. I often lead Couch to 5K groups which are really important & have seen some great Lakers graduate from it - which makes me feel proud to have been part of their journey. 

A year later in April 2022 I was elected Lakers Chair which is a great role to be in to help make a difference to the Lakers. To listen to others & steer the club in the direction its members want it to take.

Hi all, I joined South Leeds Lakers in 2015 after meeting people at Cross Flatts Parkrun. I enjoyed the friendliness and vibe of the club and in 2016, when we became affiliated, I was asked to be Run Leader & then 'Run Co-ordinator'. I have seen us move from a bench outside Beeston Co-op, to the Community Centre to the Hunslet Nelson & have seen over 40 Run Leaders come & go. I have been on the committee since 2016 & although it's challenging we have achieved some fantastic results, seeing over 500 people through our doors.

In 2018 we successfully launched a Junior Section & I have trained as a 'Junior Assistant Coach'. We coach 40 children a week running, jumping & throwing. 

As Run Co-ordinator I assign the groups each week, I would love people to come and give me feedback as we can not improve if we don't know. Let's carry this club forward & enjoy our running.

Hello!  I'm Shelly, club secretary & you can get in touch with me for any matters relating to the running club, including membership queries. 

We are a free social running club but you have the option to register as a competitive athlete & affiliate to the club (this costs £17 per year which goes to England Athletics). 

I discovered my love for running whilst training for Tough Mudder in 2018 & joined Lakers in the spring of 2019. There's something so special about this club, the support is amazing & I have met some inspirational people that I now call friends. I enjoy trail running & cross-country & have recently ventured into the world of fell running. My proudest achievements to date are completing Manchester marathon & most recently the Yorkshireman half fell race. Although I'm generally a midpack runner, I like to push myself & enjoy a good race! I like to try out new races & enjoy adventures, new experiences and testing my limits!

Phil is one of the founders of the Lakers & has held the position of treasurer & governance secretary on the committee over a number of years.  He is also a qualified run leader & assists with the junior section on Friday evenings as well as being one of the core volunteer team at Cross Flatts parkrun.  Phil worked as a management accountant at Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire Electricity) for 39 years before retiring in 2020.  He now fills his time with voluntary Director at Hunslet RLFC.

Hello, I’m Mark & I’ve been enjoying running since 2003, when I first ran the Great North Run for charity. I joined South Leeds Lakers in 2019 & decided pretty quickly after 15 or so years of running, it was time to give something back.

As well as being Junior Rep on the committee, I also have the delight of coaching our next generation of athletes at South Leeds Lakers Juniors. I love the inclusive nature of the sport & believe everyone of any ability can get something from running, whether it be to run an Ultra Marathon or just improve their physical & mental wellbeing.

The England athletics courses I have taken include ‘Leading Athletics’, ‘Assistant Coaching Athletics’ & ‘Safeguarding in children’. I plan to continue the pathway taking further coaching courses in the future. Please feel free to contact me for further info reference South Leeds Lakers Juniors.

I joined South Leeds Lakers in Oct 2022 & quickly made a lot of friends. The club has helped me to not only keep fit, but also expand my social circle & improve my mental health.

After doing a few 5k runs, I decided to join our coached 5-10k improver group, graduating at the Dewsbury 10k in Feb 23. In Sept 23 I completed the Great North Run, the biggest half marathon in the world! Raising nearly £800 for charity in the process.

In May 2023 I took the opportunity to join the committee as a Welfare Officer. I wanted to give something back to the club & help to look after the welfare & wellbeing of all members. If you have any questions or concerns about the club, or just want to say how Lakers can help you more, please feel free to contact me using the below email address. Alternatively you can speak to me in person at our Tuesday evening club nights.

​

welfare.lakers@gmail.com

​

I am the club treasurer. Please contact me if you have any comments or queries about the club's finances. Please also contact me if you which to purchase anything using club funds. I am 68 years of age & I joined the Lakers in April 2016. Although I have taken part in the West Yorkshire Winter League, I prefer road running. In May 2018 I took part in my first Marathon in Edinburgh. I have now done 9. I have never been a fast runner but during my time with the Lakers I have been given much hope & encouragement by club members. As an "elder statesman" I hope I can pass that on to others.

I began my running journey in 2013 when Parkrun started up in Cross Flatts Park & got the bug from there. I was an early member of the Lakers joining in 2015 & I completed my Leader in Running Fitness course in 2016. I'm also a qualified Guide for the Visually Impaired.

You'll find me generally leading the steadier groups at distances from 5k through to 10k and I love to see people progress and reach their potential.

As Inclusivity and Diversity Officer I work with the committee to make sure everyone feels safe & included within the club. We welcome people from all walks of life.

This is a great club to be part of, not only for the running & fitness aspect but also the social side too. I've met some great friends through my time here.