Helen Rowbotham CEO Expand Helen brings a wealth of experience to Access Sport following 23 years in the sports industry. Prior to joining British Rowing she was Director of Consulting at CSM Strategic, where she delivered projects both in the UK and internationally for local and national government organisations; event bidding and organising committees; Olympic Committees and event rights holders. Her experience includes comprehensive strategic reviews of the Commonwealth Games and Paralympic Games, the development of a High Performance Strategy for Saudi Arabia, event feasibility and bidding projects including Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and facility planning including the 2012 Olympic Stadium and Singapore Sports Hub. The organisation’s work is more critical than ever and my priority, as we look to the next phase of the charity’s growth, is to ensure more young people can access the transformational benefits of inclusive community sport. I’m particularly looking forward to working with the passionate and committed staff, clubs, coaches and partners that make up the Access Sport community - Helen Rowbotham
Julian Barrell Deputy CEO 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.
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 Director of Administration 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 for 15 years – joining Charlie Beauchamp (founder) in 2006, having previously worked together in Sports Marketing. Her role at AS over the year’s has covered all areas of the charity but is now responsible for the charities operations and administration including HR, governance and financial management. In her spare time she enjoys keeping fit and socialising with friends and family.
Joe McTague Delivery Director, Making Trax Cycling Expand Joe is the Delivery Director for Access Sport’s Making Trax Cycling Programme (formerly the 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.
Hayley Barton Delivery Director, Disability Inclusion Expand Hayley is the Delivery Director for Access Sport's Disability Inclusion Programme. Our Changing Places project aims to improve health and wellbeing for disabled children and young people living in disadvantaged areas of London and Bristol. Our two Changing Sports projects, Flyerz Hockey and Wingz Cycling, are working towards making two major sports inclusive to disabled children and young people across the UK. 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.
Amy De Broise Corporate Partnerships Expand Amy has a background in law 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 fundraising and she joined the fundraising team at The Prince’s Trust in 2011. As a Corporate Partnerships specialist Amy has spent 6 years helping companies deliver ambitious CSR strategies. She is passionate about helping corporates meet their business objectives whilst also having a positive impact in the community, and has seen many successful partnerships where the latter leads to the former! At Access Sport, Amy enjoys building mutually-beneficial partnerships with our dedicated corporate supporters. In her spare time, Amy can be found surfing in Cornwall or researching ideas for holidays!
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.
Andy James National Network Manager, Making Trax Cycling Expand As National Network Manager for the Making Trax programme, Andy is bringing together a community of bike clubs that offer a great experience to anyone - regardless of their age, race, gender, disability or social background. The Network provides support for member clubs to become more successful, sustainable, inclusive and influential. Andy has a degree in Landscape Architecture and remains passionate about the role good design plays in shaping people’s behaviour. During his career to date, Andy has worked for public and private sector organisations that share his passion for community sport and placemaking. 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 playing cricket and runs a nomadic team called the Old Grumblers
Tess Cinamon-Duffield Programme Leader, Making Trax Cycling Expand As the Programme Leader for Making Trax Cycling (formerly 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.
Lucy Fisher National Development Manager, Making Trax Cycling Expand Lucy is Access Sport’s Development Manager for Making Trax Cycling (formerly 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. Alongside her development role she is also Chair of the Mayor’s Participation Group in Bristol, which aims to increase participation of sport and physical activity in the city through key organisations working together. Lucy enjoys spending most of her free time playing sports, particularly hockey and hanging out with family and friends.
Sophie Epsley (nee Conway) Development Manager (Disability and Volunteering) Expand Sophie is the Development Manager for the Disability Inclusion Programme for London and leads on the volunteering across the Charity. She works with community organisations and sports clubs to improve the provision of sports and physical activity for disabled children and young people and ensure that volunteering across the community clubs is inclusive and diverse. Sophie graduated from Birkbeck College with a MSc in Management and Sports Management. She previously worked for a school sports provider, coaching and managing young people and has been volunteering with different charities, encouraging young people to get active. In her spare time, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, playing and watching tennis and cooking.
Lizzie Edgecombe Development Manager, Disability Inclusion (Ignite Bristol) Expand Lizzie is the Development Manager for our Disability Inclusion project in Bristol, aiming to improve the provision of sports and physical activity for disabled children and young people. She works with community organisations in Bristol to open their doors and offer inclusive sport.After graduating from Loughborough University with a first in BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science, she spent 2 years working in New Zealand for the largest regional disability sports organisation, Parafed Auckland. Passionate about the impact sport can have on people’s lives, she is excited to help develop Bristol as a ‘Beacon City’ for inclusive sport.Lizzie enjoys spending her free time out exploring the outdoors and making the most of Bristol’s big climbing scene!
Hayley Sanders Development Manager, Oxford Expand Hayley is the 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 Hayley is currently on maternity leave. If you would like to speak to someone about our work in Oxford please contact Joe McTague.
Mike Power Development Manager, Manchester Expand Mike is the 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.
Haylie Francis Community Coordinator, Disability Inclusion London Expand Haylie is the Community Coordinator for our Disability Inclusion Programme in London, working with community sports clubs and organisations to provide more inclusive opportunities for deaf and disabled children and young people.Haylie has a passion for sport and encouraging young people to be active. She graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in Sport Physiology. During this time Haylie was also part of the England Athletics Youth Panel, where she supported the new ways in which young people in the UK could become involved in Athletics. Previously, Haylie has worked in a Special Educational Needs school supporting the teaching of Physical education to children with moderate learning disabilities. Haylie has also coached Athletics for over 6 years. In her spare time Haylie enjoys playing Lacrosse, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Victoria Joy Community Coordinator, Making Trax London Expand Victoria is a Community Coordinator for the Making Trax Programme at Access Sport. Working closely with schools and a range of other community organisations, her primary role is to coordinate and ensure the delivery of the Making Trax BMX Outreach Programme across London and Bristol. Through her work on the Outreach Programme, Victoria helps to provide inclusive BMX sessions to underserved and underrepresented communities.Victoria graduated from Lancaster University with a joint honours degree in French and Spanish before deciding to pursue a career in the sports industry. Victoria has worked in elite sports environments, notably at El Centro de Alto Rendimiento Deportivo de Sierra Nevada while she lived in Spain, and she has also previously been a full-time performance athlete on the British Canoeing squad. However, her volunteering as a coach at school and university sports clubs, amongst other experiences, inspired her to move into the sports charity sector and get involved with grass-roots level work at Access Sport.In her free time, Victoria loves cooking and baking for family and friends as well as staying active outdoors.
Farran Afflick-Straker Go-Ride BMX Coach, London Expand As the Coach & Development Officer for Access Sport’s Making Trax Cycling Programme (formerly the 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.
Jess Cooper Community Development Officer, Bristol Expand Jess has recently joined the team as a Community Development Officer in Bristol while on a sandwich placement year from studying Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Bath. Jess works supporting the Disability Inclusion and Making Trax programs in Bristol to increase the accessibility of sport. She decided to join Access Sport for her placement year because she recognised the important work the charity does helping people from all walks of life benefit from sport. Jess has previous experience working and volunteering in sports and with children having worked as a sports leader and coach. In her free time Jess likes to play a variety of sports including; Rugby, Lacrosse and hockey, and enjoys seeing live music in her free time.
Hannah Tritton Community Development Officer, London Expand Hannah joined Access Sport in September 2021, and is one of our placement students based in London. Hannah is a Community Development Officer, assisting on the development of community sports clubs, to help increase the inclusivity of sport.Hannah currently attends the University of Bath, where she studies Sport Management and Coaching. Following her placement at Access Sport, she will return to Bath to complete her final year.Hannah’s passions are triple jump, dance and going on walks with friends and family.
Solange Ortiz Community Development Officer, London Expand Solange is a placement student in our London offices as a Community Development Officer. Solange studies Sports Management and Development at the University of Portsmouth. As part of her course, she has helped host a few sporting events and activities for disabled and non-disabled children. In her spare time, Solange enjoys spending time with her family and playing multiple team sports, especially Volleyball.
Jodie Filer Community Development Officer, Bristol Expand Jodie joined Access Sport in September 2021 as part of her placement year, working as a Community Development Officer in Bristol. Her role involves supporting the core programmes by developing community sports clubs, to help maximise the engagement of young people in Bristol.Jodie currently attends Loughborough University, where she studies Sport Management. Along with her course, she represents the women’s cricket team, manages her responsibilities as a member of the university’s Sport Event’s Committee, and delivers as the Sport Secretary for her hall.In her spare time Jodie enjoys trying out new sporting activities, playing and watching plenty of cricket and hanging out with friends and family.