Jolene is the wife of Club stalwart, Alex Wills. A talented triathlete and marathon runner, Jolene had qualified to represent Britain at the European Championship middle distance triathlon in Austria, prior to its cancellation due to COVID-19. The calm behind the storm, here she is:

“I’m working full-time for the first time since before George was born. Alex has been the stay-at-home Dad and has been learning to cook, whilst trying to work full time from George’s bedroom; the boys are definitely confused!

I work as a nurse in Paediatric Oncology, and although we’re not directly affected by COVID-19, it’s definitely had a massive impact, and people have pulled together in a really heart-warming way. A small child was recently diagnosed with an aggressive tumour, and when I saw her mum for the first time, I wasn’t able to comfort her as I usually would. That was heart-breaking.

I’ve been coming to watch Alex for over a decade. While at school, I used to come to watch ‘the football crew’: Matt Cannon, Rupert, Matt Morley and all the rest. Now a lot of our friends have children, it has become a big part of our weekends. The children being able to watch their Dad’s play sport is fantastic, and you know (or hope) there’s always someone looking out for the children.

I remember one lock-in on New Years Eve. Mike had made a vodka luge, and kept it in his freezer all week. Alex had his 18th birthday party at the clubhouse too, but had to be taken home by his parents at 10 o’clock! I definitely feel a bit like I’ve grown up there.
Me and Alex have held loads of quizzes at the Club for various charities, and they’ve been real highlights. The first was in 2012, and we have run one every year since. The Club always gets behind the cause, and that’s great.

You don’t even have to like football to enjoy being there, or feel part of the Club. When I’m there with the other girls, we are often oblivious to the football completely! I love seeing all the parents there too. It is probably quite unique for 20 or 30 year olds to hang out with their parents on a Saturday afternoon! I want to experience that with my boys. I love taking them there. It’s their happy place.”