DURING the lockdown leading coach John Miller has been researching the profiles of the most successful Winchester & District Athletics Club’s athletes who put the club on the national map – indeed the world.

Sarah Dean, Simone Gandy, Dawn Gandy and Jacqui Parker take pride of place; they collectively amassed an incredible 61 appearances for their country during their athletic careers.

Many Wintonians and Hampshire Chronicle readers of a certain age, will remember these ladies as they were frequently featured in the sports pages of the paper.

Mr Miller tells Belgarum that in particular twins Simone and Dawn, people still mention them to him.

Their comradery and friendship remains to this day – meeting up with their coach on an annual basis for lunch in Winchester.

It is a credit to all four of these fine athletes that they used their University degrees to benefit society as a whole. None more so than Professor Sarah Dean of Exeter University, Winchester’s first lady of the track, she often remarks and is convinced the training discipline she had in her formative years as an athlete, has been paramount in her success in life.

Sport can make and change lives! says Mr Miller, founder member of Winchester & District Athletics Club and former National & Great Britain Coach (motto: coaching for life not just for athletics).