My work history is primarily in local government within sport and active leisure for over 20-years. At the end of 2020 I left the sector and set up my own sports and leisure project management company, which I still run. The skills, knowledge and experience I gained in the public sector and private enterprise have been really valuable in my role as an Active Communities Manager, particularly in relation to funding programmes, along with club, facility, and place development. This experience enables me to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by voluntary organisations and respond with positivity, empathy and hopefully solutions.
I joined North Yorkshire Sport (NYS) in October 2023 to play a role in administering the UK Shared Prosperity and Rural Capital Funds. The culture at NYS is ‘can-do’ and I love being surrounded by like-minded individuals who want to use physical activity and sport as a vehicle to improving lives and making a real and positive difference to the people of North Yorkshire.
I am particularly passionate about supporting people to engage in sport who face additional barriers and challenges to being active. I have in the past established several initiatives to support people from underrepresented groups, including the Sporting Steps programme in Stockton-on-Tees, which won a national award for innovation.
My personal background with sport and physical activity been one of lifelong obsession, playing primarily cricket, football and golf. Cricket was always my number one sporting passion, and I spent two years with Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the mid 1990’s. But with the sands of time passing, I have moved on from cricket to golf (although I cannot bring myself to get rid of my cricket gear) and walking long distances with my border collie, who has as much enthusiasm for ball sports as I do, albeit with a little more energy.
I am also a Board Member of Tees Active Leisure, a not-for-profit organisation based in Stockton-on-Tees.
My Favourite Quote:
It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer (Albert Einstein).
Who inspires me?
Anyone who overcomes significant barriers to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Why contact me?
I have a wide range of experiences in sport, active leisure and physical activity sector, and if I don’t have the answer, then I probably know someone who does.
Telephone:
07792 030625