Our Coaches
At Cardiff AC, our mission is to combine high-quality coaching with competitive opportunities. We provide structured training for athletes of all disciplines, helping them reach their full potential in a safe, supportive environment.
The Cardiff Athletics Academy
All young athletes begin their journey in the Cardiff Athletics Academy. Rather than rushing into a specific event, new members gain a well-rounded introduction to track and field.
The Academy focuses on:
-
Exploring a wide variety of athletic disciplines.
-
Learning safe and proper training techniques.
-
Mastering vital warm-up and cool-down routines.
-
Understanding track etiquette and safety.
Discovering Your Hidden Talents
We often find that new members join with a specific event in mind—like sprinting—only to discover they have a natural talent for something entirely different, such as hurdles or long jump! By experiencing a broad range of events early on, athletes can uncover their true strengths before choosing a specialist pathway.
Once an athlete is ready, they will transition from the Academy into a dedicated training group led by one of our qualified club coaches.
Commitment to Competition
Because our primary goal is to foster both development and competition, members who progress to a specialist training group are expected to represent Cardiff AC in club competitions and enter relevant championship events when selected.
Group Availability & Waiting Lists
Our dedicated coaches volunteer countless hours of their personal time to support our athletes. To ensure high-quality, safe coaching, we must maintain manageable group sizes.
-
Waiting Lists: Occasionally, a training group may reach maximum capacity, meaning a new member might have to wait before officially joining that specific group. We will always keep you informed if this happens.
-
Club Access: If you are on a waiting list for a specific coaching group, you are still a valued member of Cardiff AC! You can fully utilize the club’s facilities and remain completely eligible to compete for club teams.
Alex Jachontow
Qualifications: UKA Level 2 Speed/sprints.
Events Coached: Sprints.
Robert Hooper
Qualifications: UKA Level 3 Performance Sprints coach.
Events Coached: Sprints.
Steve Knight
Qualifications: UKA Level 2 Endurance.
Events Coached: Middle Distance.
Steve Knight is a prominent former distance runner and current endurance coach for Cardiff AC. During his competitive career in the 1990s, he achieved a 1500m track time of 3:49, regularly competed in events ranging from the 800m to the steeplechase, and consistently ran sub-30-minute 10K road races, alongside a 23:13 performance over 5 miles and 63:57 for 1/2 Marathon. He secured multiple top-10 finishes at the Welsh National Cross Country Championships, contributing to Cardiff AC team victories, represented Great Britain and won the AAA 10 mile championships.
After retiring from competition, Knight transitioned into coaching at the club, where he currently develops junior and senior athletes for Welsh national titles and international selection.
Helen James
Qualifications: UKA Level 2 Speed/sprints.
Events Coached: Sprints.
Helen was a successful sprinter winning Welsh Championships, and representing Wales in International competitions. Following retiring from sprinting, Helen became a sprints coach, and has been successful, winning Sport Wales Coach of the year, a few seasons ago. Helen continues with her coaching, bringing through many young sprinters to represent Wales.
Alana Barnes
Qualifications: UKA Level 2 speed/sprints.
Events Coached: Sprints.
Andy Barnes
Qualifications: UKA Level 2 Jumps.
Events Coached: Sprints & Long/Triple Jump.
Mike Williams
Events Coached: UKA Level 2 Throws.
Events Coached: Shot put,discus/hammer/javelin.
Mike has represented Wales in strongman,powerlifting and motorcycle racing.
Connor Lane
Qualifications: UKA Level 3 Sprints and hurdles coahc.
Events Coached: Sprints.
Lorraine Mulvaney
Qualifications: UKA Level 2 Sprints/Jumps coach.
UKA Level 2 Photo finish official.
Events Coached: Multi-events.
Lee Farmer
Qualifications: UKA Level 2 Sprints coach.
Events Coached: Sprints.
Lee has represented Wales at Junior and Senior level in both the 400m and 800m. He was a member of the current Welsh Junior record 4x400m team and was Senior Welsh 800m Champion in 2002.
Leon Gregson
Qualifications:
Events Coached: Highjump.
Ceridwen Daniel
Qualifications:
Events Coached: Highjump.
Luke Harry
Qualifications:
Events Coached: Sprints.
Richard Edge
Qualifications:
Events Coached: .
Richard Munn
Qualifications:
Events Coached: .
Steve Mosley
Qualifications: Assistant Coach
Events Coached: Middle Distance.
Ran 1:51 / 3:47 as an athlete. BMC race organiser
Philippa Harries-Salman
Qualifications: Assistant Coach (currently completing Level 2 qualification)
Events Coached: Academy/combined events/sprints.
Philippa is a professional dancer, Level 3 Personal Trainer, and athletics coach who began volunteering in 2020 and qualified as a Coaching Assistant in 2022. Currently working toward her full Coach qualification, she transferred to Cardiff Athletics in September 2024 and has loved being part of the supportive club.
“I am passionate about helping athletes of all ages and abilities enjoy athletics, develop confidence, and achieve their potential in a positive environment.
I also have a daughter who is a current combined events and throws athlete at Cardiff Athletics, which gives me a great appreciation of the athlete journey from both a coach and parent perspective”
Chris Shepherd
Qualifications: Coaching Assistant
Events Coached: Long / Triple jump and sprints.
Chris is a current masters athlete, former Welsh U20 international, and the reigning Welsh champion in both the 100m and long jump (indoors and out). He is also a British silver medalist in the long jump for both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
