Swindon Harriers official

THE good news keeps on coming for the club with the confirmation of another exciting sponsorship deal.

We can now reveal that established local wealth management firm Vantreo Wealth Management have signed a two-year sponsorship deal with Swindon Harriers.

Vantreo’s sponsorship will go toward the refurbishment of the athletics club’s track surface. The track surface has reached end-of-life after being laid down in the 1980s and the club is fundraising toward a £300k target.

Club chairman Howard Moscrop said: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks on behalf of the athletes and coaches for Vantreo’s generous sponsorship and the arrangement in place for ongoing financial support for our club through business placed with Vantreo by club members and their family members.”

As part of the firm’s commitment to the club and its future goals, Vantreo are offering for any new referrals or business introduced directly as a result of the sponsorship, a donation of 20 per cent of the net revenue back to the club.

Patrick Van Eady, Managing Director of Vantreo Wealth Management (pictured), said: “Over the last four years, my daughter has trained and competed at the club, giving our family a close connection to it.

“As a result, it felt only natural for me, both personally and as a local business owner, to support such an important facility within our community.

“Health and wealth are closely linked in many ways. We often say your greatest wealth is your health, and many of the same principles apply to both, discipline, consistency, patience, and allowing good decisions over time to deliver the results you are aiming for. There is a real synergy there.

“We hope this helps support the Harriers in reaching their goals even faster and gives something meaningful back to a fantastic club and community.”

Swindon Harriers recently celebrated its return to the National Athletics League with a fantastic win in the opening match.

The athletics club is based at the County Ground Park off Ocotal Way, and has over 500 members.

A thumping victory and some outstanding individual performances sum up the second match of the Wessex Young Athletes League match which we hosted on Sunday.
Windy conditions certainly didn’t help either the sprinters or middle distance runners but the club’s athletes certainly piled up the points across the three age groups - U18s, 16s and 14s - to finish 262 points clear of the field.
“I was really pleased with the result and it's nice to have a squad that can go out and put on a performance like that,” said co-manager Martin Smith, who looks after the U14s age group.
Picking out some of the U14s highlights Isla Van-Eady again narrowly missed breaking 12 seconds for the U14s 75m hurdles, winning with 12.12secs but into a headwind of -1.5mps. That sub 12-seconds is surely coming Isla!
Thea Dowling was runner-up in the 200m (28.67secs) and then linked up with Isla, Andrea Wanjiru and Tamiah Roswell, who won the 100m, for victory in the sprint relay.
Pippa Wall (5:01.34) and Bethany Brien (5:07.44) delivered maximum points in the 1500m.
“Sophie Woolford also cleared 1.30m in the high jump, a PB,” said Martin.
“There were steady points from our throws quartet as well.”
For the U14 boys Elliot Bray (32.70m) and Jasper Philpott (24.28) secured maximum points in the javelin.
In the high jump Jacob Valdery cleared 1.35m in his first competition and Raffery Reesby claimed a great PB to win the long jump with 4.86m.
Kian Maye cleared 4.23m to win the B long jump and helped add useful points in the 200m and relay. Sam Lyne won the B 80m hurdles in 16.50secs.
Corey Cox was back in the 1500m A race finishing runner-up (4:51.94) with Lewis Parker winning the B race (5:05.48).
Jack Saunders was trying a 1500m for the first time in a competition so went into the non-scoring race and won it in a fantastic time of 4:42.64 - eight seconds quicker than the winner of the A race!
For the U16s team manager Craig Scott was full of praise for the 4x100m relay squad of Lewis Belgrave Jayden Messiah, Jaliel Joseph and Ethan Bryon, who won a time of 47.16secs.
“The boys were only 0.16secs off the league record so we hope they break that soon,” said Craig.
Doug Kirby (2:05.57) and Dylan Necrews (2:06.36) did the double in the 800m as did Luka Shankland and Max Malcolm in the 300m.
Jayden (12.50) and Ethan (23.80) looked sharp in winning the B 100m and 200m races.
Thea Scobey won the U16s 300m A race in a PB of 43.80secs with Annabelle Kelly winning the B string (45.21).
Freya McMeeking, Sophie Collis, Olivia Porton and Amy Harris secured maximum points in the 800m and 1500m race respectively.
Focusing on the throws having just recovered from injury Ellie Charlesworth threw an excellent PB of 32.53m to win the javelin. Ellie also won the discus while Esha Bhalerao won the B javelin and B long jump.

For full results see the event website at:

Wessex Young Athletes Track & Field League – Wessex Young Athletes Track & Field League. Covering Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey & Wiltshire. Explore key areas of our league with ease: We’ll guide you directly to essential pages for immediate access to fixtures, results, downloads, and records.

THE club enjoying a thumping victory on home soil. for the second match in the Wessex Young Athletes League.
We won all six age groups - U18s, 16s and 14s both male and female - to ensure a total score of 532 points for victory.
Equal second on 270 points were Radley AC and Oxford City AC.
The U16s age group were once again dominant. The boys won with 106pts, 50 clear of Newbury while the girls had a huge winning margin of 72pts over Newbury scoring 131 to 59.
In the opening match the club finished second to hosts Basingstoke.
More details to follow.

Wessex Young Athletes League, Match 2, Swindon
Overall teams: 1 Swindon Harriers 532 points; 2= Radley AC & Oxford City 270; 4 Newbury 225; 5 Woking 165; 6 Waverley 114.

NEW UPDATED VERSION

COACH Howard Moscrop has praised Teresa Iannatelli after she ran a sparkling personal best at the Midland Counties Championships over the weekend.

In a highly competitive and fiercely-contested senior women’s 400m hurdles Teresa won the bronze medal in a time of 60.97secs, which sliced almost a full second off her previous PB.

“Teresa has worked really hard to go from a 200m to 400m to 400m hurdles runner,” said Howard.

“Her technique and stamina over the winter has improved a lot and there is still more to come.

“Personal bests are always good and with the national championships coming up hopefully she can break 60 seconds.”

Just 0.85secs covered the podium places as the top three women finished well clear of the field at Nuneaton.

The time continues Teresa’s excellent start to the season. She opened up with 61.93secs to win the Southern league match at Woking last month, just outside her 2025 PB of 61.79secs and then followed up that with 62.64secs to win the national League match at Yate.

The 26-year-old’s time cements her place as No 2 in the South West Rankings and now inside the top 20 in the UK. Great work Teresa!

* Middle distance runner Ella Spencer was in action at the British Milers Club Loughborough University PB Classic and the 18-year-old clocked a season’s best of 2mins 16.66secs to finish fourth in the women’s 800m C race.

MORE great news for Swindon Harriers with an exciting sponsorship deal from Swindon’s largest children’s Art activity provider, Let’s Create Art Club.

Following on the heels of the club’s recent first place in the first round of the National Athletics League, the club has agreed a two-year deal with Let’s Create Art Club.

The athletics club was chosen for the sponsorship due to a shared passion to support primary school-age children drawn from a wide community spectrum, with opportunities to succeed, unlock and develop new skills and interests.

A ‘Rising Star’ finalist in the 2025 Institute of Children’s Activity Providers Awards, Let’s Create Art Club’s after school clubs and holiday camps focus on children having the freedom and materials to express themselves in a safe, fun and friendly environment without any expectations or pressure, through a wide variety of art activities.

Their sponsorship will go toward the refurbishment of the athletics club’s track surface. The track has reached its end-of-life after being laid down in the 1980s and the club is fundraising toward a £300k target.

A delighted Howard Moscrop, club chairman, said: “We’d like to share a big thank you from the athletes and coaches for this generous sponsorship.”

The athletics club is based at the County Ground Park off Ocotal Way, and has over 500 athletes.

Rachel Bray, owner of Let’s Create Art Club, said: “As a local, independent business, I think it’s incredibly important to support organisations that create opportunities for young people in our community.

“We’re proud to be one of the first track-side sponsors for the club and hope that it encourages other businesses to get behind the club’s fundraising efforts for the new track.

“Swindon Harriers provides opportunities for so many local children and athletes and as a parent of a Harriers U14 athlete, I’ve seen first-hand the dedication and support of the coaches and volunteers.

“Their commitment helps young people develop confidence, skills and ambition, with many athletes achieving high national rankings in their events, including my own son.

“We're delighted to support the club as a way of giving back and saying thank you.”

Photo: Steve Sparkes with Rachel Bray.

OUR chairman Howard Moscrop today reveals his Member of the Month for May - and admits it was one of the toughest choices he has ever faced.

“May was a very challenging month for me to select my member of the month,” said Howard.

“There have been many excellent performances in the Wilts Championships, in league meetings and other open and British Milers Club races.

“I did not want to give it to someone who has already received the award in the last year, and in the end my decision was arrived at based on commitment of an individual to the club's league/team performances.

“I was still left with three athletes. My final choice came to someone who has been a continual competitor of club athletics for I think 10 years. I believe I can remember cheering her on as an U11!

“She is now at university, and despite having to change trains a few times and cope with bank holiday delays, Freya Davidse made the journey to Yate, and not only won the B string 1500m but then also despite it being a seriously hot day, completed her ‘warm down’ to win the B string 5k as well.

“This helped Swindon Harriers to a win for the first time in a National League competition. As chairman I applaud the athletes of the club (there are many) who go the extra ‘mile’ so to speak for the good of the club.

“Many thanks Freya, you are my member of the month for May.”

TEAM managers Craig Scott and Martin Smith have given their verdict on the club’s performance in the second meeting of the UK Youth Development League, Midland Premier South & West Division.
The squad of U16 and U14 athletes made the trip across the Severn Bridge to Aberdare and in a tough match had to settle for fourth place of the seven competing clubs.
“We were a little disappointed with fourth overall but it really was a high standard of competition, with some excellent performances from all the clubs,” said Craig, who looks after the U16s.
“It still leaves us third in the league table after two meetings.”
Martin admitted he could see where points were lost over the afternoon.
“Obviously if we had filled all the gaps then we could have done better and we were missing a few key athletes for one reason or another,” said Martin.
“But those who turned up really gave it everything and overall there were a lot of good performances.”
The U16 boys’ squad performed the best finishing second to a resurgent Gloucester AC in their age group.
“There were some solid performances across the board and special mention should go to Luka Shankland, who ran a superb 300m to run under 37 seconds for the first time with 36.94seconds to win the A race,” added Craig.
“Also, Finley Kuklinski equalled his PB of 5.59m to win the long jump.”
In addition, Jacob Pender won the shot by over two metres with a throw of 13.80m, was second in the 4kg hammer (45.80m) and fourth in the discus (25.98m).
The pole vault was cancelled as the landing bed was unsafe and that certainly hurt the U16 girls as both Lowri Prosser and Esha Bhalerao have been dominant.
“But both girls stepped up to fill gaps in other events, and a special mention to Esha, who ran an excellent 300m hurdles, for the first time ever, to win the B race in 50.93secs,” said Craig.
“The girls probably suffered from a lack of specialist field athletes in the team, but it was great to see so many of the track athletes stepping up to the throws, to earn some valuable points.”
There were good points in the 800m with Freya McMeeking winning the B race (2:2.27) and Beth Humphrey runner-up in the A (2:19.34).
The U14 girls were third overall with Tamiah Roswell third in the 100m (12.93 (+2.1w) and runner-up in the long jump (4.01m).
Strong running in the 1500m saw Pippa Wall second in the A (5:00.38) and Bethany Brien winning the B race (5:18.59).
“Mistral Lyons had a great high jump winning with a PB of 1.40,” said Martin.
“In the throws our dedicated trio of Emily Wilkins (first hammer 28.90 and second in the shot 7.80m), Iman Assami (third in the discuss 17.92) and Amelia-marie Comley (third in the javelin 18.84) all made valuable contributions.
“To finish third in the age group was very good.”
The U14s were low in numbers and had to settle for fifth spot.
Highlights included Loki Fisher placing third in the 1500m B race (5:04.05) with Lewis Parker dipping inside five minutes for fourth in the A string (4:57.68).
Jack Saunders was third in the 800m (2:18.39) and Jasper Philpott third in the javelin (27.47m.

UK Youth Development League, Midland Premier South & West Division, Aberdare

Overall teams: 1 Cheltenham & County 612.5; 2 Gloucester AC 585; 3 Cardiff AC 548; 4 Swindon Harriers 537; 5 Swansea Harriers 486.5; 6 Cardiff Archers 468; 7 South Wales 456.

U16 boys: 1 Gloucester 175; 2 Swindon 157.5; 3 Cheltenham 138.
U16 girls: 1 Cheltenham 177.5. 4 Swindon 133.5
U14 boys: 1 Cheltenham 134; 5 Swindon 82
U14 girls: 1 Swansea 124; 3 Swindon 108.

CONGRATULATIONS to Lucy Bull who was making her third appearance for England for the Ron Pickering Memorial Throws competition in Loughborough yesterday.
The 15-year-old won the javelin with a throw of 50.25m, over three metres clear of her nearest rival.
“Lucy was also picked for the best athlete award in the female javelin across all three age groups and received a fab goodie bag,” said proud mum Donna.
While Lucy has switched allegiance to Cheltenham & County Harriers she is still a second claim member of our club and we are delighted to share her latest good news with everyone.

MATT Woodward is today celebrating a landmark achievement - his first sub 3mins 50secs for 1500m!

Competing in the British Milers Club Grand Prix at Birmingham University last night Matt ran a time of 3mins 49.61 to finish runner-up in the F race.

Pain and determination was written all over the 31-year-old’s face as he dug deep down the home straight with a barely a second covering second to seventh place.

But soon the pain was transformed into smiles as Matt’s time was confirmed to finally beat the mark of 3:50.48 he ran in Watford two years ago.

“I was aiming to break 3mins 50secs and to finally get it feels great,” said Matt.

“Training has been going really well and I have had some great Saturday sessions with the likes of Harry Woods, Harry Edwards and Simon Byrne.

“The pace was good for me tonight and while it was a bit choppy I really committed hard on the last lap as I knew I was in with a chance.

“I have been waiting for this for a long time so it feels just great!”

Provisionally that time is the fastest in Wiltshire this year and should put Matt in the top 10 of the South West Rankings.

Behind Matt training partner Simon finished 10th in a season’s best of 3:56.02.

NEVER can a photo have said so much as this one below of Ella Spencer and Freya Davidse.
The photo, supplied by their coach John Dill, shows the girls at the start of their running careers at the club.
That they have developed into fine young runners is testimony not just to their talent and John’s guidance but also to the pathway developed by the club to ensure a smooth progress through the age groups.
That’s why it was a wonderful moment last weekend when the pair represented the club on their return to the National Athletics League for the first time in around 25 years.
“I have coached them both since they came out of Quadkids and I think this photo was taken in around 2018,” said John.
“They are fantastic clubs athletes. Freya (19) is now at Warwick University and is their athletics captain while Ella (18) is off the Chicago (on a scholarship) in August.
“From a personal point of view it is fantastic to see how they have developed not just as athletes but as young people.
“I am very proud of them both.”
The pair made a terrific contribution to the club’s comprehensive victory in the opening Championship West match at Yate last weekend.
Ella was runner-up in both the 800m (2:16.85) and 1500m (4:50.94) and then won the 5000m (22:10.46) as part of her warm-down.
Freya won the 1500m B race (5:06.62) and the 5000m B race (22:10.46).
“Don’t read anything into their 5000m times as I told them both to take it easy on the first lap and see what happened,” added John.
“I didn’t want them to get injured.”
Ella and Freya ran together for a convincing double and deliver maximum points.
That was a typical example of the team spirit that helped deliver a momentous return to the national stage and underlines the success of the club.
Well down to Ella, Freya and everyone involved in their journey from Quadkids to senior athletics.