News From Your Club (May 2025)

21/05/2025

Dear Parents, Athletes and Supporters,

Thank you for your continued support of Wycombe Phoenix Harriers Athletics Club. We are incredibly grateful to all the coaches, athletes, parents, and carers who generously give their time to help the club and its members thrive.

We Need Your Help!

On Saturday 29th June, WPH will proudly host a Lower Age Group YDL League Match – our first home event in quite some time! We’re thrilled that our young athletes will have the chance to compete on their home track in front of family and friends.

Hosting this event not only gives our athletes a fantastic experience but also provides a valuable opportunity for the club to raise vital funds, which will be reinvested to support all members.

To make the day a success, we need volunteers from the wider WPH community. No experience is necessary – just enthusiasm and a willingness to help. Roles include:

  • Results recording
  • Equipment support
  • Timekeeping
  • Refreshments
  • Car park coordination
  • Baking cakes for the refreshment stall

If you can spare even a couple of hours, your help would be greatly appreciated. Please sign up via the following form:
👉 Volunteer Form

Spring Review – A Strong Start to the Outdoor Season

Spring marks the start of the outdoor track season, and our athletes have already achieved some incredible results!

One of the season’s key fixtures was the Buckinghamshire County Championships, held on 10th–11th May at the Horspath Track in Oxford. Wycombe Phoenix Harriers were out in force across all disciplines, with fantastic performances and team spirit on display.

Mike Taylor’s Endurance Squad

Mike’s athletes delivered across the board – both on the track and in their unwavering support of one another.

Standout Golds:
🏅 Finn Haywood (U15B) – 1500m & 800m
🏅 Zara Tate (U15G) – 1500m & 800m

Other Notable Results:

1500m:

  • Isla Wilson (U13G) – Bronze
  • Sam Feeney (U15B) – PB
  • Leo Bray (U17M) – Bronze + PB
  • Dylan Leigh (U17M), Rory Crichton (U17M), Louis Filer (U17M) – PBs

1500m Steeplechase:

  • Ivy Uhart (U20W) – SB

800m:

  • Emily Norris, Molly Haywood (U13G) – PBs
  • Charlie Rozelaar (U13B) – Silver + PB
  • Charlotte Curzon (U15G), Woody Rowe (U15B) – PBs
  • Sophie Bell (U17G) – SB
  • Leo Bray, Dylan Leigh, Joel Crook, Louis Bouzidi (U17M) – PBs
  • Dan Cogan (U20M) – PB

Nigel Sanderson’s Sprint Squad

Ten athletes competed, all returning with either a medal or a PB!

Highlights include:

Eva Carsberg & Susanna Hall – PBs in their respective finals

Sophie Matthews – Gold in Senior Women’s 100m

Lisa Fitzpatrick – Silver in 100m, and Gold in 200m, Long Jump and Triple Jump – a sensational championship!

Filippos Akteslis (U15B) – 4 medals + 4 PBs!

Olivia John (U15G) – Gold in 200m, Silver in 100m

Jordan Brown – Gold in 400m (only his second race!)

Olivia Edwards (U20W) – Bronze in 200m

Leanne Wellings’ Sprint Squad

This squad saw outstanding success:
🏅 14 PBs, 13 SBs, 7 Golds, 7 Silvers, and multiple podium finishes.

Key Achievements:

  • Aoife McAuley (U20) – Golds in 200m (PB 26.77), Javelin and Long Jump
  • Harriet Stichbury (U15) – Gold in 75m Hurdles, Silver in 300m & Long Jump, Bronze in 100m
  • Lailah & Gabriele Pope – Lailah took two Silvers (U20 100m & 200m), Gabrielle won Bronze in U17 Long Jump with a new PB
  • Jack Wallwork (U17) – Gold in Long Jump (6.09m, close to PB)
  • Florence Lee Rubis (U20) – Gold in 100m Hurdles (PB)
  • Sorcha McAuley (U17) – Bronze in 100m, 4th in 200m – both PBs in her first season!
  • Sara Moszczynska (U17) – PB in 200m

Special mention to Cristina Poulsen, who had a fantastic BUCS Indoor Championship in February with PBs in the 60m and 200m, reaching the semi-finals and placing in the UK’s top 12. Her outdoor season has also kicked off with PBs in the 100m and 200m!

Masters Athletics Success

March saw a string of impressive international performances from our Masters:

  • Zoe Doyle – Gold in the W45 800m & 1500m for Team GB at the World Indoor Masters in Gainesville, Florida
  • Coach Leanne Wellings – Two new age-group PBs and top-10 finishes in the 60m and 200m for Team Ireland, plus a new Irish Masters X50 Mixed 4x200m relay record. She also claimed Bronze at the British Masters in the W50 200m!

Ed Morris – Jumps Squad 

  • Aoife McAuley – (U20W) Gold and SB
  • Florance Lee-Rubis – (U20W) Bronze and SB
  • Gabrielle Pope – (U17G) Bronze and PB
  • Harriet Stitchbury – (U15G) Silver and PB
  • Jack Wallwork – (U17B) Gold and SB
  • Filippos Akstelis – (U15B) Gold and PB

Club Kit

Club kit, including competition vests, can be purchased via our online Club Shop hosted by Hawkinsport:
👉 https://wycombephoenix.org/kit/

Interested in Coaching or Assisting?

We’re always looking for new helpers! If you can spare time on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you can assist with timing, organising athletes, setting up equipment, or simply encouraging the team. No experience is necessary – and it’s fun, social, and rewarding.

To find out more, head to the “Volunteers” section on our Contact Us page.

Up-coming Important Dates:

Sunday 25th May  – YDL Upper Age Group

Sunday 1st June – YDL Lower Age Group

Sunday 29th June – YDL Lower Age Group

Thank you once again for being part of Wycombe Phoenix Harriers. Let’s keep building something special together.