Coaches

CUAC is fortunate to have a team of experienced and committed coaches working with our athletes.

Bob Smith (Hurdles and 400m)

UKA Level 4 Hurdles Bob is one of the country’s top hurdles coaches, having had success at international level, and coached John Ridgeon to World Championship silver in the 110m Hurdles. Bob currently works with former CUAC athletes and current GB internationals Ben Carne and Grace Clements, as well as some of our more technically needy athletes. Bob co-ordinates the clubs circuits and core stability program and is regularly present at circuits sessions. His advice is highly prized by all CUAC members.

Hayley Ginn (Sprints)

UKA Level 3 Sprints, Level 2 Endurance Hayley took control of the sprints squad at the beginning of the 2007-2008 season, and her first year in charge proved to be a resounding success. The same has been true in subsequent years, with both men and women dominating the sprints events in the past three Varsity matches. In addition to overseeing sprints training, Hayley is also a very accomplished Strength and Conditioning coach, and she works full time at the Core Cambridge Strength and Conditioning facility where she coaches several of the club’s top athletes.

Roy Thickpenny (Pole Vault)

UKA Level 4 Pole Vault Notorious throughout East Anglia, Roy has coached CUAC Pole Vaulters for almost a decade and from complete novices to Florence Cavallis! It is through Roy’s coaching that the Pole Vault Squad has been able to develop great strength in depth as was reflected at VFEAR when the combined score of 3 CUAC Men defeated that of the 4 OUAC athletes, and the CUAC Women achieved the Team Record even without their strongest vaulter! He is also the only coach who can translate the strange technical language the pole vault squad seem to talk in. A prized asset by anyone’s standards!

Maurice Benn (Assistant Coach, Middle Distance)

A tenacious and renowned distance runner in the 1960s, CUAC are fortunate that Maurice is willing to work with our Middle Distance athletes. Come rain or shine, Maurice will be at the track with his whistle and trusty analogue stopwatch in hand, implacably overseeing sessions of vomit-inducing intensity.

Bob Broadbridge (Heavy Throws)

Rod Yallop (Javelin)

James Brennan (Horizontal Jumps)