Coaching
Athletics Coach
Level 2 Endurance Coach
Lynn – a former Scottish and GB International – turned to coaching after she retired from serious competition in 2001. Although her main success was on roads (10k to Marathon) and cross country, Lynn jointly leads the training group that caters for 800m to Marathon and beyond (all-terrain) and writes bespoke training plans for anyone training for a particular race.
Lynn took early retirement from work in 2022 which freed up time for her to take up the role of Coaching Co-ordinator at the Club and to join the North East Council of England Athletics
Athletics Coach
Lisa was a youth member of the club back in the early 1980’s then took a very lengthy break before returning to the club to be a parent helper in 2004 when her daughters both showed an interest in athletics.
In 2007 Lisa qualified as an Assistant Coach then an Athletics Coach in 2015 and now jointly leads the sprint group.
In addition to coaching at the club, Lisa is our Membership Secretary, processing new member details and dealing with annual membership fees.
Athletics Coach
Level 2 Children in Athletics, Endurance, Jumps, Speed & Throws Coach; Running Fitness Leader
Athletics Coach
Level 2 Endurance Coach; Children in Athletics Leader; Running Fitness Leader
Maureen began coaching in 1984 while expecting her first born. A former athlete, Maureen always knew she would become a coach or mentor, as so many people helped her during her own training/racing years: she always said she would give something back to the sport.
Drawing from her own experience, Maureen helps our young athletes to develop a love for sport, giving them confidence and opportunities to move forward and be happy
Coaching Assistant
Mick started coaching in 2003, having been diagnosed with angina in the September of that year – a hammer blow that put a stop to his running. One of the coaches at the time suggested Mick should take up coaching to keep him involved in the Club.
Mick’s running background was sprinting but, after an operation to rectify his problem, he concentrated on middle distance. He has been competitive in running distances from 100m to Marathon since 1980 and now concentrates on helping to coach the Competitive and Social Running Group over distances between 800m and 10k.
Coaching Assistant
Coaching Assistant
Steve was a member of an athletics club in his youth and achieved moderate success on the track and roads and managed to achieve County standard in cross country. However, from around the age of 20, Steve took a lengthy break as firstly work and then family commitments took over.
Steve returned to running when his young son showed an interest and they both joined Houghton Harriers in 2012. Steve has competed as a Masters athlete ever since, running everything from 800m to marathons and also enjoys the social side of the club very much (a little too much some would say).
Having always enjoyed encouraging the next generation at the club, and knowing how much enjoyment athletics has brought his family, Steve felt he now has the time to give a little back to the sport and is working his way through the coaching qualifications: currently a qualified Coaching Assistant and in the process of achieving his Coaches licence.
Athletics Coach
Level 2 Jumps, Speed & Throws Coach
Simon joined the club in 1984 and competed in road, cross-country and track & field until his retirement from competitive athletics in 2017. He has been part of the Executive Committee for 30 years, taking on a number of roles including captaining the senior team for nearly 20 years. He is a secondary PE teacher and now coaches our youngest athletes.
Athletics Coach
Level 3 Young Athletes Coach; Level 2 Endurance, Jumps, Speed & Throws Coach
Liz joined Houghton Harriers in the mid 1980’s with little athletics experience having been a hockey player at school. Initially Liz competed for the club in cross country and track but, due to work and family commitments, this only lasted for a couple of years.
It wasn’t until her own children started training at the club that Liz began “helping out” and then progressed up the coaching ladder. With a background in primary education, Liz chose to specialise in Children in Athletics and now coaches our youngest athletes.
Liz still enjoys the occasional competition, particularly Masters track & field and multi events.
Coaching Assistant
Athletics Coach
Linda joined the club through her daughter Amy, helping out when required. This led to taking on a more active role and training to be a coach. Linda jointly leads the sprint group and takes an active role with the team for the North East Youth Development League.