Warley Wasps buzzing after securing top award

Warley Wasps Triathlon is only 18 months old but already has more than 100 members competing in events both in the UK and around the globe.

And their success has now seen them named West Midlands club of the year by Triathlon England.

“Things have just spiralled over the past few months and new members are joining all the time,” said Heather Stokes, who founded the club with husband Mark in April 2016.

“We are delighted to win this award and proud of how the club has grown and the work we have been able to do over the last few months.

“We have done a lot in a short space of time.”

Now in contention for Triathlon England’s national club of the year award, the Wasps hold seven training sessions a week in various disciplines, including two open water sessions at Netherton Reservoir.

Indoor swimming sessions take place at Wednesbury Leisure Centre, while runs generally start from Tipton’s Gospel Oak pub.

Training is catered for athletes of all abilities and ages, from nine through to 60.

Dave Ambler, a coach and one of the senior members, will this week travel to Hawaii to take part in the next round of the Ironman Championships, while Chris Gaskin and James Booker recently competed for Great Britain in Rotterdam and Bratislava respectively.

“We do as much as we can to help our members compete in events, whether it be at home and abroad,” said Stokes, who believes the club’s inclusive approach is helping it attract participants in an increasingly popular sport.

“We just try and make people as comfortable as possible,” she added. “We’ve had all kinds of people join, from experienced athletes to those who have seen triathlon on TV and want to give it a go.

“We actively seek and encourage new members to join in and have a go and give those who are nervous or embarrassed the support they need. Our members rally round to help each other.

“A lot of the time it is about people facing their fears. Open water swimming is the one which gets the most questions.

“You get people who have not been swimming for ages turning up and giving it a go. They want to test themselves, push their own limitations.”

“They try it out, find they enjoy it and stick around.”

Both Heather and Mark completed their level one coaching badges in January and together organise training sessions, while a National Lottery grant back in March has helped buy equipment.

Club members have also acted as marshals and helped at regional triathlon events.

“We had a plan in place when we decided to set the club up but we could never see it growing as quickly as it has,” said Stokes.

“I imagined we would have 20 to 30 members in the first year. Now we have 102 fully paid members.

“We love to be able to help people. Seeing the rewards others get from it, when you know you have played a part, is the best feeling.

“You are helping someone on their journey, no matter what their goal might be. To play even a small part of that is really rewarding.”

For more information visit www.warleywasps.wixsite.com/warleywaspstriathlon