UK Athletics Athletes’ Commission Members

ANDREW HEYES (ENDURANCE) – COMMISSION CHAIR

Andrew is a middle to long distance runner who has competed for Great Britain on both track and cross-country. He was British Indoor Champion in the 3000m in 2018.

Andrew holds a master’s degree in medical sciences from the University of Oxford, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tulsa, a master’s degree in sport psychology from Sheffield Hallam University, a master’s degree in psychology from Manchester Metropolitan University, and has just completed his PhD thesis in sport psychology at the University of Birmingham.

Andrew has been a member of the UKA Athletes’ Commission since 2019, taking on role of Chair from November 2021. In addition to this, Andrew also sits on the UK Anti-Doping Athlete Commission and the WADA Social Science Research Expert Advisory Group.


HETTY BARTLETT (T38 LONG JUMP)


COLUMBA BLANGO (T20 400M)

Columba Blango is a 400m athlete and the current European record holder and European champion in the T20 400m, and a Paralympic bronze medallist from Tokyo 2020.

He also works part time in retail along side training in East London Mile End full time. This includes additional self studies in several European languages like Spanish and Portuguese as experience in being an athlete.

Columba has joined the Athletes commission in hoping to inspire the next generation of athletes in athletics. Though his first sport was tennis which he played for 4 years from age 12-16, athletics is something that he was particularly passionate about and has excelled in up to this point.


ASHLEY BRYANT (DECATHLON)


NATHAN DOUGLAS (TRIPLE JUMP)

Nathan is a Double Olympian in the Triple Jump. 2x European Medallist and 8x British Champion.

He is enjoying an athletics career spanning over 22 years at world-class level, showing a wealth of resilience to achieve such longevity.

In 2016 he was made the GB Team Captain, a reward and recognition of his resilience over the past few years in times of difficulty.

Nathan is a sports scientist from Loughborough University, a certified Executive Performance and Resilience Coach – working with corporates to look after their physical and mental well-being – helping them to perform at their best. He is an NLP Practitioner and has been trained in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy at The Oxford University Mindfulness Centre.

He is on a mission to stop people from just functioning and to help them flourish and perform at their very best.

A member of the UK Athletics Athletes Commission since 2020, using his experience and expertise to collaborate with the national governing body to create the best possible environment for welfare and performance.


JOE FUGGLE (400M HURDLES)


ADAM GEMILI (200M)


MARIA LYLE (T35 100M AND 200M)


MHAIRI MACLENNAN (ENDURANCE)


SHELAYNA OSKAN-CLARKE (800M)

Shelayna is six times British Champion, World Indoor Bronze medallist and European Indoor champion over the 800m and has also represented Team GB at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

She is a Sport Science graduate from Brunel University, qualified athletics coach, and personal trainer. In 2018, she captained the Great Britain team which she says, “being asked to be a captain and lead my fellow teammates in a home championship was such an honour and is testament to my commitment and tenacity in my career”.

Shelayna is passionate about equality and inclusion. She joined the athletics commission to help create the best possible environment for athletes to thrive in. She has a wealth of experience and is using her knowledge to advise and work with the national governing body to improve the support for athletes and ensure that the athletes’ perspective is being listened to.


STEPH TWELL (MARATHON)


VANESSA WALLACE (F34 SHOT PUT)

Vanessa is a Paralympic thrower and the current triple British record holder for shot put, javelin and discus in the F34 class.

She is a student at the University of East London doing her undergraduate in Sports & Exercise Science and is studying for her Athletics Coach licence.

Nessa was appointed to the Inspiration Programme Board for the London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships, playing a key role in the organisation ahead of the Championships.

She has joined the Athletes’ Commission to be a vocal advocate for all athletes and to encourage and support positive changes within our sport, including in areas such as coach support and the welfare of athletes on the development pathway.