The Meynell Valley Hunters Trathlon Club was formed on the 24th October 2005 by 5 people from the South/East Staffordshire area in order to cater for those triathletes within the area of Lichfield, Uttoxeter and Burton-on-Trent. The Meynell Valley Hunters Triathlon Club had its first meeting on the 24th October 2005. The Club was formed by a group of 5 athletes following on from there first full successful 2005 season. The decision to form a Club was led by its founding member and BT qualified coach - Adrian Williamson, supported by Alex Arrowsmith (BT Coach) and Clare Williamson.
The name of Meynell Valley Hunters is derived from the pub (Meynell Ingram Arms) in heart of the Staffordshire countryside around the Hoar Cross, 'Happy' Valley area. The 'Hunters' part of the name is derived from the sport which was once so prominent within the area, however as this sport is now banned, we thought we would put the name of 'hunting' to better use and use it within our club name.
The club was accepted and affliated to 'British Triathlon' November 2005.
The first club swim training session was held on Friday 6th Jan 2006 at John Port School, Etwall (with Etwall Eagles). The first club bike training session was held on Saturday 7 Jan 2006 in Burton-on-Trent (coach - Brian Welsh) and the first club run training session was held on Sunday 8 Jan 2006 in Burton-on-Trent (coach - Adrian Williamson).
The first race under the new colours and club kit was Wombourbe Sprint Triathlon on Sunday 23rd April 2006.
The open water training facility was opened on Saturday 8th July 2006 at Barton Turns Marina, Barton-under-Needwood.
First MVH - World Championship attendee - Satcey Eccles.
The club won its first title and honour, the relay event at the Carsington Duathlon on the 8th October 2006. Team members included Alex Arrowsmith, Rachel Hall and Adrian Williamson.
In our first season MVH was awarded the National League 2006 title for 'small squads' in November 2006 and finished 13th in the overall National League.
MVH was awarded a sports grant of £620.00 by the 'East Staffordshire Sports Council' to buy turbo's and swimming equipment in November 2006.
In December 2006 at the club presentation and annual dinner Alex Arrowsmith and Clare Williamson became the first MVH Tri Club Male and Female Club Champions repectively for 2006.
Stacey Eccles and Brian Welsh became the first club members to complete an Ironman at the Ironman Lanzarote 2007.
First MVH attendee at the World and European Duathlon Championships - Grant McKinlay.
MVH Tri Club attended the Ironman Switzerland 2007 (including Families - see photo above).
First MVH medalist at World Championships - Abbey Norman.
In August 2007 Brian Welsh, Stacey Eccles, Des Cowie and Ben Starbuck became the first MVH members to enter an MVH team in to the annual National Club Relays held in Nottingham.
In September 2007 the club held its first Aquathlon at Barton Marina. Five members and 1 non member took part on the last day of the 2007 open water swimming season.
Andrew McKinlay became the first MVH Junior Club finisher at the Sutton Bonnington Duathlon on the 14th October 2007. Andrew finished 5th in the Male Tristars 1 catagory.
In only our second season MVH retained the National League title for 'small squads' in November 2007 and finished 9th in the overall National League.
In December 2007 at the club presentation and annual dinner Paul Jurczuk and Rachel Hall became the second MVH Tri Club Male and Female Club Champions repectively for 2007. David Hollyoak and Sam Johns became the first Male and Female Club Novice Champions respectively for 2007.
In December 2007 the club was awarded £9,000 by the 'Awards For All' Lottery Fund to help set up the new Junior Section.
January 2008 - Official link to Plan B cycle racing team formed.
January 2008 - MVH was awarded a further sports grant of £219.00 by the 'East Staffordshire Sports Council' to buy swimming equipment.
February 2008 - MVH awarded the 'STAR' accreditation by the British Triathlon Federation and awarded £600.00 for club equipment.
March 2008 - Junior section launched - Ben Johns is the first member.
First MVH attendee at the European Triathlon Championships - David Hollyoak.
First male MVH medalist at World Championships - Mick Skivington.
July 2008 - First overall MVH individual race win - David Hollyoak wins the Trentham Sprint Triathlon - 27th July 2008.
Rachel Hall wins a gold medal at the ETU Long Course Championships in 2008.
In December 2008 at the club presentation and annual dinner Paul Jurczuk and Stacey Eccles became the third MVH Tri Club Male and Female Club Champions repectively for 2008. Ashley Hurdman and Helen Smith became the second Male and Female Club Novice Champions respectively for 2008. Mick Skivington became the first recipient of the Male Veteran Championship. Keith Dunn received the first Triathletes Triathlete Trophy.
MVH Tri Club attended the Ironman France 2009 (including families approx 50 people!).
The final Open Water swimming at Barton Marina was on Wednesday 30th September 2009.
On the 11th October 2009 the first Duathlon trial event was held at the Rosliston Forestry Centre.
In December 2009 at the club presentation and annual dinner Paul Jurczuk and Grace Gadsby became the fourth MVH Tri Club Male and Female Club Champions repectively for 2009. Ashley Hurdman and Sarah Jemmett became the third Male and Female Club Novice Champions respectively for 2009. Mick Skivington retained Male Veteran Championship and Syvia Franklin won the first female veteran trophy. Sylvia Franklin became the 2009 Female TT Champion and Ashley Hurdman won the male TT Trophy. Sylvia Franklin also won the TT Handicap Trophy. Warren Simms received the Triathletes Triathlete Trophy.
The deal to swim at Kings Bromley lake was sealed in February 2010.
The first open water swim at Manor Park Sailing Club in Kings Bromley took place on Saturday 8th May 2010. 54 swimmers attended.
