Helen Rowbotham CEO Expand Helen joined Access Sport as our new Chief Executive in January 2022. She is passionate about making inclusion the norm in community sport and is also a Non-Executive Director and Trustee of the British Paralympic Association. Before joining Access Sport, Helen was Director of Innovation and then Director of Rowing Community and Strategy at British Rowing where she had a remit to support the rowing community, broaden the appeal of the sport and drive growth. This included leading British Rowing’s equality, diversity and inclusion work, as well as creating the Go Row Indoor programme, and forming Love Rowing, British Rowing’s new Charitable Foundation.Helen previously worked in sports management consultancy for 17 years including five years as Director of Consulting at CSM Strategic, where she led their major sporting projects work with a focus on strategic planning, innovation and organisational transformation. Her clients included the International Paralympic Committee, Commonwealth Games Federation, LOGOC, as well as multiple National Olympic Committees, cities, national sports agencies, and Sports Federations.In her spare time Helen enjoys running and cross fit and has two sports mad children so typically spends her weekends on the side of a pool, pitch, court or athletics track!
Hayley Barton Delivery and Impact Director Expand Hayley is Delivery and Impact Director at Access Sport, responsible for the charity's Changing Places and Changing Sports delivery programmes. She is passionate about creating equitable opportunities to access to sport and physical activity in local communities across the UK. Hayley leads Access Sport's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work, which is supported by Staff, Trustees and the Youth Board. Hayley completed a PhD in Sport Psychology and worked on several physical activity and childhood obesity research projects. Hayley is committed to using her previous research experience to ensure the collection of high-quality data that provides insight into getting more disadvantaged and disabled young people active in sport and physical activity. In her spare time, Hayley enjoys staying active, and is often found playing football, cycling and exploring the countryside with Indy, a regular Access Sport office dog.
Nia Rowlands Finance Director Expand Nia joined Access Sport in 2021 and is responsible for the sound financial management of the organisation, including financial reporting to senior leadership, to the Trustees, and to funders, as well as providing support and advice to all staff about budgeting and fundraising proposals. Nia’s background is predominately in public sector and charity finance, having spent 9 years as Head of Finance at The International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2 years in the Commercial Business Partnering team at Action for Children and 5 years at an NHS Trust. In her spare time, Nia enjoys looking after her garden wildlife haven, plus keeping fit on two wheels – mainly mountain biking and in recent years taking part in some BMXercise sessions.
Sue Wheeler Administration Director Expand Sue’s background is in sport from degree courses to working in Sports Marketing on the agency side representing sponsors and running large events for various corporates including drinks brands, insurance companies, newspapers.Sue has worked at Access Sport since it was founded by Charlie Beauchamp in 2006, having previously worked together in Sports Marketing.Her role at Access Sport over the years has covered all areas of the charity but Sue is now responsible for the charity’s operations and administration including HR, governance and financial management working with the Finance Director.In her spare time she enjoys playing golf, keeping fit, gardening and socialising with friends and family.
Tom Dixon Fundraising and Communications Director Expand Tom is Director of Fundraising and Communications. His role is to involve as many people and companies as possible in opportunities to fund vital, inclusive and transformational sporting programmes and to communicate the positive impact these have on the communities they serve. His goal is to increase our fundraising to match our growth ambitions and the scale of the need.Tom has 20 years' experience in charities, mainly focused on disability, inclusion and equality. He has worked across a range of fundraising and funding streams, most recently as Head of Fundraising and Communications at a disabled children’s healthcare charity.Tom's passion for sport comes as a keen runner, cyclist and cricketer and he coaches children and young people at grassroots clubs in athletics, cricket and climbing in his spare time. Tom’s claim to fame was holding the Guinness World Record for the fastest book character to run a half marathon… until Harry Potter pipped him to the post a year later!
Adrien Parry Development Manager Expand Adrien is a Development Manager at Access Sport working in conjunction with Nuffield Health to help promote and develop new and excited offers within the local community of East Manchester. Adrien spent 3 years working for ‘City in The Community’ leading and delivering on a number of outreach and summer-based programmes. This experience alongside his MSc in Nutrition and Public Health has made him passionate about creating equal opportunities for all, improving engagement, and educating on the importance of practicing healthy habits. In his spare time Adrien likes to stay busy, mainly through boxing, rugby, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
AJ McMinn Community Coordinator Expand AJ brings with her over 10 years of sports coaching experience. She began coaching Basketball as a young leader at 14 and from there her love of coaching grew. AJ began focusing on SEN coaching and found that creating new opportunities for disabled youth was where she found her main passion. During AJ’s BSc in Sports and Exercise Science, she was able to conduct two placements, one as an SEN PE student teacher and another as an Intern with a charity working with youth across Belfast developing their junior programming focusing on sport for change and conflict resolution. From then her career has focused on sports development and creating new opportunities for youth, ensuring that everyone has a chance to try a newsport or continue with the sport that they love. She is now completing her MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition, and her dissertation is focusing on women in sport, another one of her passions. In AJ’s spare time she enjoys watching Ice hockey, walking her dog, and playing golf. She also spends as much time as possible going to concerts, travelling and sometimes both with her partner. When she can, on her weekends off AJ likes to travel home to Belfast to see her family and friends.
Alex Claydon Young Leaders Academy Manager Expand Alex is the Young Leaders Academy Manager working across Greater Manchester. This involves delivering sports leadership courses to disadvantaged young people and coordinating our bespoke training opportunities within the community. Alex has a wealth of experience in youth leadership and development following various roles with The Prince’s Trust, Manchester Metropolitan University, and The FA. He has a BA in Sports Business and Finance and is currently studying a Masters in Sport Business Management and Policy. In his spare time, Alex enjoys playing football, going to the cinema, and learning Spanish.
Amy de Broise Corporate Partnerships Manager Expand In her role as Corporate Partnerships Manager, Amy focuses on building relationships with Access Sport’s supporters and bringing people closer to the charity’s work.As a corporate partnerships specialist, Amy has spent over 10 years developing purpose-driven partnerships between charities and organisations from a variety of industry sectors. She is passionate about creating partnerships that help companies meet their business objectives whilst also having a positive impact in the community.Amy is a qualified solicitor and her first experience of the charity sector was as a secondee to The Prince’s Trust from a city law firm. After returning to the world of law for a few years, Amy realised that her heart lay in the charity sector. She has been at Access Sport since 2019.In her spare time, Amy can be found surfing in Cornwall, researching ideas for holidays or trying to squeeze in a workout before her children wake up!
Andy James Senior Development Manager Expand Andy is the Senior Development Manager for Access Sport’s Changing Sports cycling inclusion work. Andy’s role has a national remit, developing a network of inclusive cycling clubs across some of country’s most diverse and deprived neighbourhoods. Andy has a degree in Landscape Architecture and remains passionate about the role good design plays in shaping people’s behaviour. Before joining Access Sport, Andy led the growth of Ping! – a street table tennis project that took ping pong to parks and public spaces across the UK. In his spare time, Andy enjoys getting around by bike, goalkeeping and playing cricket. He runs a nomadic team called the Old Grumblers who play the game in beautiful places across the UK and overseas.
Ben Humphrey Senior Programme Development Leader Expand Ben is our Changing Sports Senior Programme Development Leader, working directly with national governing bodies and other providers to develop, deliver and embed inclusive programmes which provide greater opportunities for children with a disability and young people to access and enjoy sport and physical activity.Ben joined Access Sport in 2022. Having completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Development, he worked for several years in local authority sport development and public health, achieving success in developing and managing inclusive sport, physical activity and health programmes. Ben has a passion for equality and positive social change using sport as a tool. In 2011, Ben founded Swindon Shock Wheelchair Basketball Club and is still involved in the running of the club today. Ben is a family man with two young children and in his spare time he enjoys playing 5 a side football, open water swimming (in the summer!) and cycling. Away from sport, Ben enjoys podcasts, live comedy, live music and getting away for family trips in his camper van.
Camille Redfern Community Coordinator Expand Camille is a Community Coordinator for Access Sport’s Changing Places activity in London, working in communities to support the development of more inclusive sports and activities for D/deaf and disabled young people and their families. Camille is passionate about the transformational benefits of community sport and its impact on physical and mental wellbeing. Her varied and valuable work experience in the sport, business and leisure industry has equipped her with a unique skillset that compliments her role with Access Sport. Having studied her BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, she then achieved a distinction in her MSc, Sport Business and Innovation with Loughborough University – specialising on the effects of community sport on wellbeing.
Charlotte Barnard Senior Community Coordinator Expand Charlotte is a Senior Community Coordinator at Access Sport managing our Changing Places work in Birmingham. Charlotte works with Sport Birmingham and local community groups to support the development of more inclusive sports and activities. Charlotte graduated university with a bachelor’s in sports development and has worked for an NGB prior to this job. With a strong passion for inclusion Charlotte joined Access Sport hoping to have a big impact in Birmingham, to create long lasting change to make inclusion the norm and for all individuals to feel a sense of belonging. In her spare time Charlotte enjoys an early morning hike to see the sunrise and loves to go to the gym to workout and get stronger. Charlotte is a social butterfly and loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Ella Carolan Fundraising and Events Coordinator Expand Ella joined the Administration and Fundraising Departments and her role involves support in running events, fundraising and corporate volunteers. Having completed a year as a Physical Activity and Health Intern at Enable Leisure and Culture, she has experienced first-hand the transformational benefits that sport can bring to underserved communities. Studying a BSc in Geography and Sport Science at Loughborough University, Ella is passionate about helping create sustainable solutions to access barriers within the Sports realm. During her studies, she volunteered as a grassroots netball coach and organised multi-sports activities through her position as sports secretary. Her previous sporting experience includes tennis coaching and managing children’s multi-sport camps. In her spare time, she enjoys playing netball, tennis, and golf. She treasures time with friends, family, and her dog. Lucky enough to complete a ski season in the French Alps, she loves adventurous activities and travelling, most recently visiting Southeast Asia!
Elsie Josland Active Environments Development Manager Expand Elsie is the Active Environments Development Manager for Access Sport’s Changing Sports programme. She is responsible for delivering new inclusive community sports facilities and enhancing existing ones, focusing mainly on cycling facilities and basketball courts. Elsie is passionate about transforming the aspirations of clients and stakeholders into attractive, sustainable, and functional schemes and has over 20 years of experience delivering community facilities. Elsie started her career as a landscape architect at Groundwork, before moving on to work in private practice where she has worked on schemes such as the 3G pitches and park at Mabley Green in Hackney, the Hackney Marshes Cricket Pavilion, and improvements to the Brixton BMX track. Elsie spends her spare time looking after a small area of woodland in the New Forest and volunteers for biodiversity projects in her local area.
Farrell Mahon Communications and Marketing Manager Expand Farrell joined Access Sport as a Communications and Marketing Manager in June 2023. He is very enthusiastic to work with young people to make inclusion the norm, as well create great content that reflects Access Sport’s positive impact. Before joining Access Sport, Farrell has worked in a variety of communications and marketing roles for charities such as the Black Swimming Association, Football Beyond Borders and the Considerate Constructors Scheme. In his spare time Farrell teaches swimming in his local community to a range of ages, abilities and backgrounds. Farrell is also a keen football fan and supports Liverpool.
Fran Burns Community Development Officer, Cycling Expand Fran has just completed her 9–month University Placement with Access Sport. During this time she has contributed to the development of both the BMX Outreach Programme and the Ignite Bristol Project. She has also played a significant part in the development of the emerging Basketball Programme and took a lead on progressing the Disability Inclusion Swimming club. Fran currently attends Bournemouth University, where she studies Sport and Exercise Science. Before continuing with her final year, she was offered a role over summer with the Access Sport Cycling team. Alongside supporting the Cycling Programme, Fran will continue to develop the up-and-coming swimming project that feeds into her passion for swimming. As a member of the Bournemouth University trampolining team, previously working as a lifeguard and having previously competed in swimming and running competitions, Fran has always been involved in sport. She is grateful to have experienced the transformational benefits that sport has had on her and during her time at Access Sport, she has been able to further her understanding of accessibility in sport and the need for it. With this further knowledge, she wants to continue creating opportunities for people less likely to engage in sport.
Georgina Gouch Outreach Development Manager Expand Georgina is the Outreach Development Manager for our Changing Sports Cycling Programme. She leads the outreach programme which delivers cycling to schools, pupil referral units, SEN provision and community groups across diverse and underserved areas of Bristol, London, Manchester and Sheffield. Georgina has spent most of her adult life working in sports. With a background in safeguarding and six years’ experience as an Outdoor Instructor in different parts of the U.K., France and the U.S., she has seen the positive impact adventurous activities and an active lifestyle can have on young people and their mental health. In her spare time, Georgina is often outdoors doing activities such as cycling, climbing and hiking. She loves being creative, exploring new places and discovering the best new food spots!
Hayley Sanders Access Sport Oxfordshire Manager Expand Access Sport Oxfordshire is a new collaboration between Active Oxfordshire and Access Sport, with generous support from Mark Beard, High Sheriff for 2022-23. The collaboration will support vulnerable children and young people in the area to improve their health, well-being and life chances through sport. Having worked for three years as Development Manager for Access Sport in Oxford, Hayley joined Active Oxfordshire at the start of 2022 to run their inclusive sports programme and manage Access Sport Oxfordshire. She is looking forward to working with community sports clubs and groups to enable them to open their doors to everyone. A keen netballer, Hayley also brings with her experience in competitive sport, having worked for a number of years as Event Manager for British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS).
Heidi Blunden Programme Leader Expand Heidi is Changing Places Bristol Programme Leader. Heidi’s role is to support the delivery of Access Sport’s strategic growth and development of place-based work across the city, with a focus on disability and social inclusion. Passionate about the broader outcomes of sport and physical activity, Heidi’s experience spans several charity and not-for-profit sectors including; youth, community, health and fitness and a national governing body. In her spare time, Heidi enjoys running and cycling. Heidi is also a cycling coach who supports the development of youth, women and para-cyclists, both locally and nationally.
Helen Brandley Trusts, Foundations and Statutory Funding Manager Expand Helen has worked in Trust fundraising for over 12 years, most recently for a homelessness organisation and prior to that for a disabled children’s charity. From an early age she has volunteered to work with disabled young people, and is passionate about inclusivity and that everyone should get opportunities to participate in activities. Outside of work Helen can usually be found exploring the natural world with her daughter, gardening, knitting, drawing or trying to do some yoga.
Jamilla Dauda Cycling Community Coordinator Expand Jamilla is the Community Coordinator for our London Cycling team. She supports the development, growth and sustainability of community cycle clubs to enhance their offer to engage more disadvantaged and disabled children and young people. Jamilla has loved sport from a very young age but grew up facing barriers that prohibited her ability to pursue her sporting passions. Despite this, she volunteered to lead sports sessions for young girls and has developed experience in facilitating athletics sessions for young women with a focus of creating inclusive and supportive environments. Jamilla has joined the Access Sport team to be part of breaking down the barriers that hinder different communities from benefiting from sport. In her spare time, Jamilla enjoys being active, traveling to new locations, hiking and swimming. More interests include cycling, running and basketball and being creative through different mediums like photography.
Jason White Head of Programme, Changing Places Expand Jason White joined Access Sport in October 2023 as Head of Programme, Changing Places. Since graduating from Teesside University in 2012, all of Jason’s roles have involved using sport and physical activity to achieve broader outcomes related to health and wellbeing, something that he is hugely motivated by. Subsequently, Jason has then worked for a range of different organisations working across the sport for development agenda, comprising of third sector, local authority, national governing body, schools and colleges. In his spare time, Jason’s primary form of physical activity comes through walking his dog (Stanley), hiking, running - when not injured! - and cycling, but also enjoys watching sport, particularly football as he is a season ticket holder at Manchester United. LinkedIn Profile – Jason White
Jayde Ellis Inclusive Training Lead Expand Jayde is the Inclusive Training Lead for Access Sport. She is passionate about empowering people to create inclusive environments for every individual, led by the wants and needs of participants, so that everyone can enjoy sport's transformational benefits. Jayde's background spans sport, education and community development, with a diversity and inclusion focus. She has worked particularly with the LGBTIQ+ community, women and girls, and within areas of deprivation. Jayde is a trained PE teacher and has coached cricket, softball and a smattering of other sport for 15+ years. Prior to Access Sport, Jayde worked out of Lords Cricket Ground to increase access to cricket for underrepresented groups, and most recently co-founded an charity enhancing women and girls' experience of cricket. Originally from Australia, Jayde is happiest on the beach or any water-based activity. In her spare time, she can normally be found on long walks with her Labrador, binging a box-set, or seeking the sun.
Jay Kinyera Development Manager Expand Jay is a Development Manager working on the Changing Sports Basketball programme with a specific focus on social inclusion. Jay will be supporting the development, growth and sustainability of community basketball clubs and groups to enhance their offer to engage more disadvantaged and disabled children and young people. Although Jay is relatively new to the field of charity work, he was part of a yearlong program to raise £27,000 and then go to Uganda to teach tag-rugby to children in poverty. He has played football at a professional level and basketball at a national level, although basketball has been Jay’s passion for nearly 10 years and will continue to be forever. Access Sport has allowed Jay to harness this passion and use basketball to drive change for local communities. Jay is a young father with a 2 year old daughter and just for some proof of his love for basketball, her middle name is Kobe! He loves watching NBA highlights or live games but spends most of his time doing family activities such as swimming and basketball (of course!) as well as going to basketball events across London to either spectate or support.
Jessica Harrison Access Sport Oxfordshire Manager Expand Jess joined Active Oxfordshire in March 2023 as a maternity cover to run our inclusive sports programme, a collaboration between Active Oxfordshire and Access Sport. The programme will support underserved children and young people to improve their health, well-being and life chances through sport. She is looking forward to working with community sports clubs and groups to enable them to open their doors to everyone. Making sure that the benefits of sport are accessible for children, county wide. Jess has worked within the charity sector for the last 10 years helping young people and families using physical activity as a tool to help them overcome challenges and running “sport for good” projects. Through this, she developed a passion for overcoming the barriers that girls face in being active and championing co-produced creative solutions to make sport inclusive to those with disabilities.
Joe Hawkins Community Coordinator Expand Joe is a Community Coordinator on Access Sport’s Changing Places London team, working in communities to support the development of more inclusive sports and activities for D/deaf and disabled young people and their families. After graduating from University of Bath with a first in Sport and Social Sciences BA (Hons), Joe joined Sport for Development charity Sported as a Regional Support Officer. Having previously worked with Access Sport as Community Development Officer placement student, Joe is excited to have now re-joined the Access Sport team, following his passion for inclusivity in sport. In his spare time, Joe enjoys watching football, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family.
Jonny Fenner Development Manager Expand Jonny is the Development Manager for Acez, our pan-disability tennis programme. Jonny has a passion for inclusive sports and believes anyone and everyone should have access to the transformation benefits sport can have to individuals and communities alike. After graduating with a degree in Sport, Leisure and Culture Jonny spent time in America over 6 seasons developing an activity programme for a large summer camp. Previously, Jonny has been a community tennis coach in Bristol and Bath, running sessions such as walking tennis, mental well-being tennis, tennis for refugees and inclusive disability tennis. In his spare time Jonny enjoys a good coastal hike with his rescue dog, camping and pretty much any sport! He also enjoys coaching inclusive tennis sessions in Bristol parks!
Julia Wright Fundraising Manager Expand Julia has more than 20 years’ experience of fundraising in the charity sector, having worked for a variety of local, national and international charities both large and small. Some of the organisations Julia has worked with include The Big Issue Foundation, CancerResearch UK, the Mines Advisory Group and the OnSide Youth Zone network. In that time, Julia has gained a wealth of experience in all things fundraising and particularly enjoys nurturing relationships with companies and individuals to make significant gifts to support great causes. Julia is passionate about equality and how philanthropy can improve prospects and opportunities for all.
Katie Crook Community Coordinator Expand Katie is a Community Coordinator at Access Sport supporting our Changing Places work in Bristol. Katie works with community sports clubs based in Bristol to develop and deliver inclusive offers, enabling greater opportunities for disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent children and young people to access sport and physical activity. Before joining Access Sport, Katie had experience working and volunteering with children and young people in various settings, including coaching football and youth work. During her time at Loughborough University, Katie was involved in introducing and delivering a variety of new sports to the recreational sport programme, including new age kurling, seated volleyball and pickleball. Katie previously worked for Access Sport on her university placement year and is excited to be back with Access Sport! In her spare time, Katie enjoys anything active and outdoors, particularly trail running, bike touring, football and climbing!
Kelly Smith Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Expand Kelly is the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at Access Sport, responsible for the charity's monitoring and evaluation activity, as well as our wider research related activity. Kelly’s role provides evidence and insight to support the ongoing develop of Changing Places and Changing Sports programme delivery and to inform the strategic direction of the organisation. Prior to joining Access Sport, Kelly has worked in research-based roles within the Sport for Development and wider third sector where she worked on numerous research, evaluation and capacity building projects supporting organisations to better understand and evidence the impact of their work. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys running on the trails of the South Downs or exploring the sea by Paddleboard.
Lewis Dixon Programme Leader, Cycling Expand Lewis is responsible for leading our Changing Sports - Cycling team delivering inclusive cycling programmes in London, Bristol, Manchester and Sheffield. We believe that every young person should have access to a bike, the skills and confidence to use it, and somewhere local, safe and exciting to enjoy riding. Lewis was previously a community rowing coach before managing life skills and social integration programmes for young people. He is passionate about developing purpose-led and impactful partnerships across sport, charity and social enterprise sectors. In his free time Lewis loves travelling, long bike rides and live music.
Libby Hawkins Cycling Delivery Manager Expand Libby brings a huge wealth of experience. With 15 years hands on experience delivering inclusive BMX and cycling opportunities across communities and supporting the growth of her local cycling clubs. With a passion for cycling and specifically BMX, Libby believes everyone should have access and gain the benefits of cycling. Libby’s role is to deliver cycling sessions to schools and the community across Sheffield, with a key focus on engaging with disadvantaged and disabled young people and to support the activation of bike tracks and clubs across the city, including the pump track that Access Sport opened in Hillsborough. In her spare time Libby likes to enjoy the outdoors with her little boy and family, riding, hiking and attending BMX racing competitions.
Lucy Jalland Community Development Officer Expand Lucy’s role of Community Development Officer follows her 9-month placement with Access Sport and is based in the London and Bristol offices. She will be continuing her work within the Changing Sports team before returning to university for her final year. Lucy is currently at the University of Bath taking BSc Health and Exercise Science where she focuses on physical activity within the public health sector. Before joining Access Sport, Lucy has had experience working and volunteering at her home sports club, coaching in Hockey, Cricket and Netball, as well as working in children’s sports holiday camps, looking after children with a range of ages and abilities. Having worked alongside her younger sister, who is autistic, she has joined the Access Sport Team to help create a wider awareness for disability inclusion in sport. Over the past two years at university, Lucy has been involved in University of Bath Hockey Club, in both competitive and recreational teams. Other interests of hers include Formula 1, and rugby, but you will often find her travelling!
Margarida Oliveira Active Environments Development Manager Expand Margarida is the Active Environments Development Manager for Access Sport’s Changing Sports programme. She is responsible for delivering new inclusive community sports facilities and enhancing existing ones, focusing mainly on cycling facilities and basketball courts. Margarida is passionate about the use of innovative and inspiring design as a tool for enhancing and improving character, identity and inclusiveness of schemes and believes strongly in a holistic approach of working with stakeholders and clients. Margarida has over 20 years of experience working as a landscape architect at several private practices designing and delivering public parks, schools, community gardens and other schemes such as the 3G pitches and park at Mabley Green in Hackney and the new MUGA pitches for Fieldings Primary School in Ealing. In her spare time, Margarida enjoys outdoors activities such as sailing or long walks with her dog. She loves tending to her garden and growing all sorts of plants and being creative.
Megan Barwick Community Development Officer, Placement Expand Megan is a Community Development Officer on Access Sport’s Changing Places London team, working in communities to support the development of more inclusive sports and activities for D/deaf and disabled young people and their families. Megan currently attends Brunel University, where she studies BSc Sociology. A key area of interest is young people, and the different barriers they can face in all aspects of life. Having been involved in the rugby pathway from grassroots to performance level, she wants everyone to experience the range of benefits community sport has to offer. In her free time, Megan enjoys rugby, running, and the gym. In addition to travelling, and spending time with friends and family.
Mike Power Programme Leader Expand Mike is responsible for leading Access Sport’s Changing Places work in Greater Manchester. The programme increase access to sport and upskilling opportunities in the most underserved communities of the county. Mike has been with Access Sport since 2014, where he has developed a network of community sports club that he has helped grow and more sustainable. Many of these have become hubs within their local communities. He developed Access Sports Young leaders Academy and devised the Coach Clever Award, which provides upskilling opportunities for disengaged young people. Mike’s previous roles have included, Schools Games Organiser, Behaviour Mentor and Community Sports Development Officer. In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his family and getting out for walks and bike rides. He is also a hockey coach.
Reginald Mpawulo Finance and Systems Officer Expand Reginald has joined Access Sport as the Finance and Systems Officer and will be responsible for assisting the Finance and Fundraising teams with the administration of the accounts. Reginald has several years’ experience working in transactional finance within the not for profit and charity sector. In his spare time, Reg enjoys martial arts and holds a 2nd degree black belt in Jujitsu and Green belt in Judo. Reg also practices kickboxing. Reg also coaches in Jujitsu under a head coach in Tottenham.
Rob Hawker Cycling Delivery Manager Expand I’m the Cycling Delivery Lead in Greater Manchester. My role is to deliver cycling sessions to schools and community groups across Greater Manchester, with a key focus on engaging disadvantaged and disabled young people. With this I help to activate the bike tracks across the city, including the pump track that Access Sport opened in Little Hulton, Salford.I raced BMX from a young age to my mid-20s and have volunteered at my local BMX club since the age of 15. I qualified as a British Cycling Level 2 BMX and MTB coach at 18 and have coached for Manchester BMX Club ever since. I became a professional cycling coach with British Cycling and was recently a full-time coach at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.In my free time I really enjoy riding my BMX and MTB bike, especially with my son who recently took up BMX racing. I love being with the family, going away camping and anything to do with sport.
Sarah Jones Senior Development Manager Expand Sarah is the Senior Development Manager for our Changing Sports programmes. Her role is to inspire and enable sports clubs across the UK to become more inclusive. Sarah is passionate about supporting all young people to have access to sport and its life-changing benefits, particularly those young people who are unable to access traditional sport activities. Sarah’s professional background has mostly centred around disability inclusion across several sectors. She has worked in adult social care, SEN teaching, the charity sector and, most recently in disability sport development. She has worked with young people with a range of complex needs, disabilities and from varying backgrounds. Her own sport background is climbing, both indoors and outdoors, and has been a climber and coach for ten years. Sarah’s most recent project has focussed on developing disability inclusion in the climbing community and award schemes. In additional to her professional work, Sarah has personal experience of the transformational power of inclusive sport, and a passion for system change in the sport sector. In her spare time Sarah enjoys staying active and spending time with her little girl, usually, climbing, baking, or exploring the outdoors.