Don Evans – Chairman
“I am married to Elisabeth with 2 sons who are both keen sportsmen and Newark AC athletes. My role as Chairman usually involves speaking with YMCA and England Athletics about policy and processes, as well as helping out other committee members with membership, coaching or facility use when needed.”
Favourite Athlete: Michael Johnson
Favourite Film/TV Show: Apollo 13
Gareth Bagguley – President
“I first ran for the club winter of 1970 and actually joined the club April 1971. My role in the club is basically a figure head. There is no job specification.”
Favourite quote: ‘Facilities don’t make athletes rather athletes make facilities.’
Fun fact: 2020 will be the first year since 1970 that I wont have competed in a race for Newark AC
Paul Jessop – Vice Chairman
“61 years old, married with two children who both used to train and compete for the club. I started to help out when we needed extra volunteers and my job role is to fill in for the chairman when he is not available and to help out wherever needed.”
Favourite Film/TV Show: The Shawshank Redemption
Hobbies/Interests: I like walking, going out for meals and enjoy holidays in the sun.
Emma Jessop – Welfare Officer & Coaching Co-Ordinator
“I used to train and compete for the club when I was younger and then got involved in coaching when we needed extra volunteers to help out with the youngsters sessions. Now, as the Welfare Officer, my job is to ensure all individuals in our environment are safe. My Coaching Co-Ordinator role involves looking after our team of coaches and creating/implementing development plans for us and the club.”
Favourite Athlete: Kelly Holmes and Mo Farah.
Favourite Quote: ‘The world is full of kind people. If you cannot find one, be one.’
Elaine Mills – Facilities
“My daughter joined the club ten year’s ago aged 9. She had a fabulous time and loved training and competing. I started to help out and used to produce the club’s tri-annual newsletter and helped another parent with fundraising. I became a committee member by accident, having attended to discuss events. Now I help with the facility booking, club kit orders and club emails.”
Hobbies/Interests: My daughter gave up athletics to focus on her horse riding and I love watching and supporting her competing. My go-to relaxation is yoga.
Favourite Quote: ‘You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.’
Hazel Pond – Membership Secretary
“I’m 59! Still think I’m 35, I’ve enjoyed all sports and played hockey until our boys came along. I eventually became a helper at swimming, and then a committee member at athletics, and am now the membership secretary. Both boys were club members and it was a natural progression for us to help out.”
Hobbies/Interests: Gardening, walking, seeing friends, or reading.
Fun Fact: I’m a bit of a hoarder, I still have my old hockey club tracksuit (very shellsuit), and it comes out for a laugh every now and then!
Ruth Shivas – Committee Member
“My two sons are keen athletes and joined the club as soon as they were old enough! I have then become involved to make sure other young people get these amazing opportunities.”
Favourite Athlete: Dina Asher-Smith. Incredible athlete and a Historian (I’m a History teacher so it matters!).
Fun Fact: I recently ran my first half marathon in November to raise money for Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Ann Gibbs – Committee Member & First Aider
