Mark Hardie CEO Expand Having become hooked firstly as an Access Sport volunteer, Mark subsequently joined the charity in 2008 as a Project Leader and has been CEO since 2010. Previously Mark worked for 15 years as a lawyer specialising in advocacy, crime and human rights. Over the last seven years has led the charity through a period of sustained growth during which time Access Sport has won a wide range of awards for excellence in delivery, including the BT Sports Industry Award for Best Community Sport Project nationally. He is passionate about harnessing the power of sport as a force for good. Mark has a BA from Oxford University in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, an MA in International Sports Law from Anglia Ruskin University and has represented his native Scotland in athletics
Julia Wright Philanthropy Advisor, Manchester Expand Julia has more than 17 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.
Julian Barrell Director of Development Expand Julian Barrell is an experienced charity fundraising leader, with nearly twenty years experience of leading non-profit making organisations to grow income, particularly in the youth sector. His experience includes fifteen years working for The Prince’s Trust, where he established and built the organisation’s pioneering ‘Leadership Groups’ initiative, before spending six years as Director of Fundraising, during which time income grew from £38m to £61m. Entering the world of non-profit fundraising in 1997 Julian started at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution where he ran a successful training appeal. Other organisations he has worked for more recently include Age UK and Young Enterprise. He is also currently a Trustee of the Youth United Foundation. Julian is passionate about growing relationships to ensure that more and more resources can be passed from those who have them to those who do not.
Sue Wheeler Finance 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 and going to the RWC in 1995 with the England squad (shame!) Sue has worked at Access Sport for 10 years – joining Charlie Beauchamp (founder) in 2006, having previously worked together at Sports Marketing agency MH&P. Her role at AS are the finances, assisted by the Treasurer of Trustees, and overseeing the day to day running of the charity. In her spare time she enjoys playing golf (on a course with no bunkers!), keeping fit and being with family and friends.
Fatima Arghandawi Finance Manager Expand Fatima is the Finance Manager at Access Sport, she is very passionate about her job and plays a vital role in bringing accounts up to date with great accuracy. Her work involves, posting income and expenditure journals, reconciling various accounts and collating reports. Apart from Finance she is keen to participate in the Charity’s events and other programmes and is multi skilled. She is an ACCA part qualified accountant with Accounting and Statistics degree and brings years of experience in working across numerous NHS organisations and University of London. Apart from work she is a bubbly person who enjoys socialising with friends and family. She likes movies, cycling, swimming and organising fun day experiences with friends and not to mention walks on sandy beaches!
Joe McTague Associate Director, BMX Legacy Expand Joe is the Associate Director for Access Sport’s BMX Legacy Programme, working to create a vibrant youth cycling scene in London. Joe’s role involves overseeing the day-to-day running of the programme, ensuring it is realising its aims on time and on budget. Joe also collates the reports and works alongside our CEO to help build relationships with key partners and enhance the case for further investment. In his spare time Joe enjoys playing squash and visiting the pub with family and friends.
Tess Cinamon-Duffield Project Leader, BMX legacy Expand As the Project Leader for the BMX Legacy Programme, Tess has an overview of the day to day delivery of the Programme in London whilst supporting the strategic development of the programme overall. She first started working in the sports industry at LOCOG during the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics before going onto work in disability development. Tess loves skiing, but has recently become a regular down at the BMX track during the summer months.
Sarah Toone Delivery and Development Manager, BMX Legacy Expand Sarah is the BMX Legacy Delivery and Development Manager. Her focus is developing, delivering and refining varying BMX coaching approaches to engage an ever widening spectrum of participants. This includes creating BMX Clever, a values based approach, for those at risk from leaving mainstream education as well as attending Pupil Referral Units and founding BMXercise, our fitness and fun based program aimed at women. Her role also includes recruiting and supporting BMX coaches. A fully qualified BMX Level 2 British Cycling Coach, National Standards Instructor (NSI) (safe cycling) and Psychodynamic Counsellor, she’s worked as a NSI for two London Boroughs delivering Bikeability Levels 1, 2 and 3, and set up the commercial aspect of Royal Borough Greenwich’s BMX Services. Volunteering since she was 18, Sarah’s background has always been in the charity sector but previous roles include Vice Chair and Treasurer, voluntary bereavement councillor and fundraising manager for a variety of charities. She has also focused on behaviour management with children, working in a school to help pre-empt disruptive behaviour and running an after school club. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her sons and being active - Cycling, BMX, Climbing, Yoga and she loves singing too!
Harriet Plows Women & Girls Development Manager, BMX legacy Expand Harriet leads on Access Sport's women & girls work, ensuring the charity is targeting, engaging and retaining females from disadvantaged areas in sport and physical activity. Harriet’s role focuses on using cycling and BMX as way to get more females active, create more female leaders and up-skill more women and girls. She is working in 7 target boroughs to set up new initiatives and partnerships as well as supporting the rest of the BMX programme at Access Sport. In her spare time, Harriet plays pretty much any sport she can and is especially passionate about the Access Sport 5-aside football team.
Steph Walters BMX Coordinator, BMX Legacy Expand Steph is the BMX Coordinator of the BMX Legacy Programme. Her role oversees the administration of the project and working closely with the coaches to constantly develop and improve the delivery of the sessions. Having a previous coaching background in Netball and Trampolining and studying a BSc Coaching & Physical Education degree, she is passionate about the engagement of young people in sport and developing sports coaching into an athlete centred approach. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching Harry Potter and SHOPPING.
Farran Afflick-Straker Programme Coach & Development Officer, BMX Legacy Expand As the Programme Coach & Development Officer for Access Sport’s BMX Legacy Programme Farran is responsible for delivering quality, structured and progressive outreach coaching sessions at Access Sport’s London partner clubs, supporting the development of other Access Sport coaches and working with the team to support and develop community clubs, competitions and events. Coming from a BMX racing background he has previously competed in national and European races in the amateur ranks. Farran was also part of the British Cycling Talent Team alongside Tre Whyte and Kyle Evans, and brings with him this level of competitive coaching to his current students. For him, the best part of his job is seeing the degree of improvement and progression in his students and how this is reflected in them off as well as on the track. In his spare time, Farran enjoys BMXing, go-karting and watching football.
Nathaniel Martin Go Ride Coach, BMX Legacy Expand Nathaniel is the lead coach for the BMX program. As well as supporting the development of the 15 BMX clubs across London, Nathaniel delivers BMX sessions to young people in schools and community groups, bringing his fleet of BMX bikes and equipment directly to areas where BMX may not be easily accessible. Racing competitively at a national level since 2004 and competing in the BMX World Championships in 2012, Nathaniel has a few years of BMX experience. Hailing from South London’s Brixton BMX Club, he gained his coaching experience working alongside the club chairman AD Martin and worked at Burgess Park BNX Track before joining Access Sport. Predictably, Nathaniel enjoys BMXing in his spare time!
Hayley Barton Associate Director, Ignite Expand Hayley is the Associate Director for Access Sport's Ignite Programme. Ignite aims to improve health and wellbeing for young disabled people living in disadvantaged areas. It currently supports the development of 40 volunteer-led clubs in London and Bristol to effectively engage more young disabled people with sport. In 2013 Hayley completed a PhD in Sport Psychology and also supported several physical activity and childhood obesity research projects. Hayley is dedicated to using her previous research experience to ensure the collection of high quality data that provides insight into getting more disabled and disadvantaged young people active in sport and physical activity. In her spare time, Hayley plays football for Leyton Orient and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Kate Page Club Development Manager, Ignite London Expand Kate is the CSAF Club Development Manager for the Ignite programme, aiming to improve the provision of sports for young disabled people across London. She works with community clubs to open their doors and offer inclusive sport. Kate completed her placement year with Access Sport in 2015/16 and has returned to the charity after graduating from Brunel University with a first in BSc (Hons) Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences. She has a keen interest for how sport can improve the lives of people with disabilities, with her research dissertation on how sports psychology can improve the wellbeing of amputees. In her spare time, Kate enjoys playing rugby, power lifting and walking her cocker spaniel, Rufus.
Libby Nichols Project Manager, Flyerz Hockey Expand Libby is the lead for the Flyerz hockey project. She’s thrilled to be part of the Flyerz movement and committed to supporting hockey clubs across the UK to help grow Flyerz and work to make hockey a fully inclusive sport! Libby is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, families and communities through the power of sport. She is from the US and prior to moving to London, was working as the Assistant Director of Programs for a sports charity in Boston, Massachusetts called Team IMPACT, connecting children facing serious and chronic illnesses with local university athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Libby is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and played for her university field hockey and lacrosse teams. Her favourite “football” team is the Baltimore Ravens!
Iestyn Withers Club Development Manager, Ignite London Expand Iestyn is the BTSC Club Development Manager for the Ignite programme, aiming to improve the provision of sports for young disabled people across London. He works with BMX clubs to run inclusive Wingz sessions, as well as focusing on youth development for young people with disabilities. Iestyn attended university in Cardiff where he graduated with a degree in English Literature and Contemporary Media, specialising in Sport Journalism. Following his studies, Iestyn ran his own personal training business before joining Access Sport. He has a particular interest in young people with Special Educational Needs and Learning Difficulties due to his mother’s profession, and believes sport has a unique power to help their personal development whilst also improving their physical activity. After representing Wales and Great Britain in rugby league as a student, Iestyn can often be found training for rugby in the gym or on the pitch… if he isn’t too busy spending time with his dogs!
Matt Thorne Go Ride Coach, BMX Legacy Bristol Expand Matt is the HSBC UK, British Cycling and Access Sport partnership coach for the BMX Legacy programme in Bristol. As well as supporting the development of the soon to be 5 BMX clubs across the city, Matt delivers BMX sessions to young people in schools and community groups, bringing his fleet of BMX bikes and equipment directly to areas where BMX may not be easily accessible. Racing competitively across the various cycling disciplines Matt has previously aided the running of one of the biggest cycling clubs in Wales through actively sitting on the committee and leading the coaching calendar. Matt also has experience organising and running high calibre events from ultra 5 day enduro’s to British National events working with UCI officials. Matt has also worked with Go-Ride for Welsh Cycling as well as travelling main land Europe on occasion assisting the Wales Junior Team at UCI stage races.
Lucy Fisher Programme Development Manager, BMX Legacy Bristol Expand Lucy is Access Sport’s Development Manager for the BMX Legacy Programme in Bristol, developing new BMX tracks and clubs, as well as targeting and engaging young people from the most disadvantaged areas of the city. After graduating with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Bath, and gaining experience working in a variety of sports including rugby, she decided to pursue a career in sports development with the aim to give more young people opportunities to engage in and experience new sports. Lucy enjoys spending most of her free time playing sports, particularly hockey and hanging out with family and friends.
Hayley Sanders Club Development Manager, High Sheriff Oxford Expand Hayley is the Club Development Manager for the Oxford High Sheriff Project. The programme aims to tackle social exclusion by working with community sports clubs to provide opportunities for young people. Hayley joined Access Sport having previously worked as an Event Manager for British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) and working to develop the London University Sport Leagues. In her spare time she enjoys playing for her local netball club, going to gigs and Sunday roast dinners
Mike Power Club Development Manager, High Sheriff Manchester Expand Mike is the Club Development Manager for the High Sheriff Challenge in Manchester. His previous roles include a Community Sports Development Manager focusing on inclusion, A School Games Organiser and Behaviour Mentor. Mike has previously delivered Sports Leaders UK courses and has a good knowledge of their different awards, qualifications and the content of delivery. Mike has also worked with PRUs, with youth offenders and those at risk of social exclusion on alternative curriculum programmes. In addition he is a Level 3 Hockey Coach, coaching a ladies team in the Investec Ladies North Conference National League and coaching at various levels within England Hockey’s Single System Pathway. In his spare time, Mike enjoys playing and watching lots of sports but his favourite thing is spending time with his little boy Alfie, who was 5 in February 2018, exploring the woodlands and going on little adventures.
Jake Tullett Volunteer Coordinator Expand Jake leads on the Team100 volunteering project, building community groups of 100 diverse and different local residents to come together around the shared goal of improving their community’s health and wellbeing. Jake completed his university placement with Access Sport 2017 and returned after graduating with a first class BA in Sport and Social sciences, completing research on Sports Development’s organisational capacities. Jake is passionate about equal health opportunities for all and in his spare time, enjoys being at the pub with friends, running, politics and Liverpool FC!
Felix Sanderson Fundraising Coordinator Expand Felix is a third year university student studying Sports Management at Bournemouth University. He is currently doing his year of industry as the Fundraising Coordinator with us at Access Sport, working as the central coordination point for the fundraising and marketing team. Felix is passionate about following the journey of fundraising and noticing the beneficial impact that fundraising can have for the charity and the individual taking part. At University, Felix was involved in the fundraising department and raised money for charity by trekking Machu Picchu in Peru! In his spare time, Felix enjoys playing football, squash and socialising with friends and family.
Taylor Mullaney-Downer Club Development Officer Expand Taylor is a third year university student studying Sports and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University. She is currently doing her year of industry as a Club Development Officer with us at Access Sport, focusing on encouraging women and girls to get involved in sport in London. She is passionate about working with females to get them enjoying sport as much as she does. At university, she was involved in encouraging girls to participate in inter-hall sport and would like to use these skills to encourage more women to get involved in sport on a larger scale. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys playing netball and socialising with friends and family.
Abbie Williams Club Development Officer Expand Abbie is a third year student at Bournemouth University studying Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences. She is completing her placement year at Access Sport, working as a Club Development Officer on the Ignite Programme. Abbie is passionate about improving the provision in sport for young people with disabilities, and has previously worked with both young people and adults with disabilities. This is both in the care sector, working as an assistant carer in her second year of university, and in the sports sector as a gymnastics coach. Abbie is on her university cheerleading team, and in her spare time enjoys going to the gym and going out with friends.