OPTIMA RACING TEAM IS

committed to creating and maintaining

A safe and positive environment for all people to take part in Triathlon. Our responsibility is to safeguard the welfare of all and protect them from poor practice, abuse and bullying.

A black background with a diagonal black stripe crossing it.
Contact Us
The image is a cover of a documentary titled 'The Tipping Point'. The cover features a stylized black and dark gray background with the title in white text.
Coach Mark Klein kneeling on one knee giving instructions to children during an outdoor training or sports practice in a grassy field with trees in the background, all wearing red sports shirts.
Swimmers in a pool during a swimming lesson, with instructors on the pool deck giving directions.

The club and our coaches place a high emphasis on child welfare and protection.

We ensure we maintain a safe environment for all children wanting to train with us. All of our training sessions are run by British Triathlon qualified coaches and the Club holds a British Triathlon Bronze TriMark Accreditation. The Club has a register in place to ensure coaches and helpers have the necessary DBS checks in place. A number of our team have relevant first aid qualifications.

To further help us keep you safe, we also ask that you keep your emergency contact details up to date and that you let us know if there is any change to medical conditions.

Coaching Staff

  • A man in a red and black shirt looking at his phone indoors under bright ceiling lights.

    James Beckinsale

    MSc, Level 3 Diploma BTA

    Head Coach

  • A coach and three children participating in an outdoor stretching or warm-up exercise on a grassy field with trees in the background.

    Mark Klein

    Level 2 Diploma BTA

    Junior Coach

  • A man wearing a white cap, glasses, a red sports shirt, and black pants standing outdoors near a body of water with boats and kayaks in the background.

    James Marler

    Level 1 Diploma BTA

    Assistant Junior Coach

    Certification

  • Swim coach giving a thumbs-up gesture inside an indoor swimming pool area.

    Simon Griffiths

    Level 2 Diploma BTA

    Assistant Coach

    Certification

  • Smiling man with short brown hair and a beard, wearing a gray t-shirt, standing against a plain white background.

    Dave Ashton

    Level 2 Diploma BTA

    Assistant Junior Coach

    Certification

  • Swim coach demonstrating stretching exercise to young swimmers in indoor swimming pool area.

    John Lambert

    Level 1 Diploma BTA

    Assistant Junior Coach

  • Optima Racing Team logo featuring a stylized red motorcycle graphic and bold red text, with 'Racing Team' in black underneath on a gray background.

    Christina Wouters

    Swim-Bike-Run Leader

    Certification

  • Zoe Hughes

    Swim-Bike-Run Leader

Committee Members

  • James Marler

    Chairman

  • James Beckinsale

    Head Coach

  • Mark Klein

    Head Junior Coach

  • Gillian Sanders

    Safeguarding Officer

  • Tina Wouters

    Child Welfare Officer

  • Virginia Hughes

    Treasurer

  • Vesta Zemaite

    IT and Marketing Manager

  • Betsy Griffiths

    Membership Secretary and Social Media Manager

  • Betsy Griffiths

    Junior Representative

Swimmers and a coach in an indoor swimming pool during a swimming class or practice session.

Any concerns regarding safeguarding should be directed to our Safeguarding and Club Welfare Officers.

Gillian Sanders
Christina Wouters

Optima Racing Team and Tristars adhere to BTF’s Child Protection Policy, which can be found on British Triathlon Federation’s website. Please read more here.