North West Regional Council

Council Members

• Jon Clarke (Chair): West Cheshire AC
• Shelby Williams: Lions Running Community
• Uyai Ikpatt: Wirral AC
• Ronan Kearney
• Brian Copper
• Sarah Hodgson Jones

Jon Clarke (Chair)

Jon was elected on to the North West Regional Council in 2019, and elected as its Chair later that year. Jon is a competing M65 athlete, having returned to athletics in 2015 after 40 years in the wilderness. Since then he has competed all over the country in Masters and open events, plus Cheshire County Championships, and so far also represented GB in two World Masters Championships, plus a European Masters Games. During this time Jon also spent 3 years as Chairman of West Cheshire AC, so has a good understanding of both club operation and its difficulties, plus know what it is like to be a competitor.

Shelby Williams

Shelby has been a runner since childhood, captaining her sports team at junior school and winning her first running trophy at the age of 13. Shelby started her coaching journey with the Leadership in Running Fitness course in 2010, as she has a passion for supporting others to enter the sport she loves and then went on to qualify as a Coach in Running Fitness in 2013 and she was awarded National Run Leader of the Year in 2019.

As a voluntary running coach and leader, Shelby’s approach to running and coaching is inclusive and fun, whilst encouraging people to be the best they can be which is why she believes she has maintained a large core group of runners who are on one hand at the competitive edge of running to the more recreational runner who enjoys running for the more social aspects.  Having trained as a fitness instructor, Shelby also enjoys developing the strength and conditioning aspects of runners, which she believes is key to longevity in running. As a Guide Runner, Shelby is also keen to encourage people with a visual impairment to seek support so they can enjoy running to.

Over the years Shelby has enjoyed running around the world including in London as one of the first runners to cross the finish line at the Olympic Stadium; Las Vegas, Paris, New York and Canada.

Uyai Ikpatt

Uyai started running by joining their work colleagues at lunchtime for social and structured sessions. A few years later after competing at various races from 5k up to marathons, Uyai joined their kids at Wirral AC. They have two girls who are U17 & U20 but have been competing from U9 & U11s. Whilst at Wirral AC, Uyai has represented the club in Northern League track & field events and cross country just to make things interesting.

When not an athlete, Uyai has various roles within the club. A Level 3 Field Judge, a recently qualified throws coach and a committee member in charge of officials. Uyai is passionate about grassroots athletics and a great believer in kids not specialising too early but competing in runs, jumps and throws.

In their day job, they are a Research Scientist. When not involved in athletics, Uyai likes to explore the great outdoors with their hiking group formed during lockdown and still going more than two years later.

Ronan Kearney

Ronan has been involved in Athletics for > 35 years. His children have also grown up in the sport, and 4 have earned international call ups. In common with many of you, Ronan wears other hats as race referee, starter and timekeeper.

In 2023 Ronan and his wife started a new club (Warriors) which has received funding support from England Athletics and the Personal Best Foundation with the aim of delivering athletics and sport outside a track environment in order to expand inclusion in new communities. This has proven very successful in growing athletes to >200, and a demographic profile that >60% female.

Professionally Ronan works primarily at Board level for City firms and was awarded Freedom of the City of London in 2015.