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  1. About Us
  2. The Team
  3. Staff

Staff

Here at Access Sport we are proud to have a dynamic and constantly growing team of fantastic staff, primarily based in London as well as Bristol, Manchester, and Oxford.

Below you'll find a brief introduction to each member of our team.

Helen Rowbotham

CEO

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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

Published: 5th January, 2016

Updated: 5th January, 2022

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Hayley Barton

Delivery Director, Disability Inclusion

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Hayley is a Delivery Director at Access Sport, overseeing the charity's disability inclusion and volunteering work. She is passionate about creating equal access to sport and physical activity opportunities in local communities across the UK, both through traditional and non-traditional sports. Hayley chairs Access Sport's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working group, which is supported by the Trustee and Youth Board.

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 underserved young people active in sport and physical activity.

In her spare time, Hayley enjoys staying active, currently playing football in the FA National League and is often found exploring the countryside with Indy (also Access Sport's office dog).

Published: 1st June, 2016

Updated: 16th May, 2022

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Joe McTague

Delivery Director, Making Trax Cycling

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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.

Published: 2nd June, 2016

Updated: 6th May, 2021

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Nia Rowlands

Finance Director

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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.

Published: 3rd June, 2016

Updated: 16th May, 2022

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Sue Wheeler

Director of Administration

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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 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.

Published: 4th June, 2016

Updated: 16th May, 2022

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Julian Barrell

Fundraising Manager - Video Games Partnerships

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Julian has over twenty years experience of fundraising in a career that includes seven years as Director of Fundraising at The Prince's Trust. 

Julian worked for Access Sport from 2016-2022 in a variety of leadership roles including Fundraising Director and Deputy Chief Executive. Currently he is leading our growing partnership with the UK's video games community on a part-time basis while spending some time with his family.

Published: 5th June, 2017

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Amy De Broise

Fundraising and Communications

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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 several 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 developing mutually-beneficial partnerships with the charity’s supporters. She also helps communicate the charity’s mission and impact in her Comms and PR role.

In her spare time, Amy can be found teaching her children to surf in Cornwall or researching ideas for holidays!

Published: 6th June, 2017

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Julia Wright

Philanthropy Advisor, Manchester

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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.

Published: 6th June, 2017

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Tess Cinamon-Duffield

Programme Leader, Making Trax Cycling

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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.

Published: 1st July, 2018

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Mike Power

Programme Leader, Greater Manchester

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Mike is the Development Manager for Access Sport 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, exploring the woodlands and going on little adventures.

Published: 2nd July, 2018

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Lizzie Edgecombe

Development Manager, Disability Inclusion (Ignite Bristol)

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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!

Published: 3rd January, 2019

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Sophie Epsley (nee Conway)

Development Manager (Disability and Volunteering)

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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.

Published: 3rd July, 2019

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Lucy Fisher

National Development Manager, Making Trax Cycling

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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.

Published: 4th July, 2019

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Chris Hall

Development Manager, Manchester

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Chris joined Access Sport as a Development Manager for Manchester in June 2022. He is responsible for creating accessible and sustainable pathways into regular sports participation for a wide variety of participants in the Greater Manchester area. 

Upon graduating with a BA (Hons) in Sports Coaching and Development from Manchester Metropolitan University, Chris began his sports development career as part of the National Football League’s Community department  playing an important role in the development of similar pathways into American Football nationwide.

In his spare time, Chris is passionate about American Football, Soccer and hiking with friends and family.

Published: 5th July, 2019

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Andy James

National Network Manager, Making Trax Cycling

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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

Published: 5th July, 2019

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Hayley Sanders

Access Sport Oxfordshire Manager

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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).

Published: 7th July, 2019

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Haylie Francis

Community Coordinator, Disability Inclusion London

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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.

Published: 23rd July, 2020

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Farran Afflick-Straker

Go-Ride BMX Coach, London

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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.

Published: 24th August, 2020

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Jodie Filer

Community Development Officer, Bristol

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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.

Published: 11th January, 2021

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Hannah Tritton

Community Development Officer, London

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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.

Published: 18th October, 2021

Updated: 30th June, 2022

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Showing 10 of 20

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Tag cloud

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Multi-Sport, Health & Wellbeing Festival 2019

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Read about our big community event in Bristol on the 8th August 2019. Read more

Published: 29th August, 2019

Updated: 17th March, 2022

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Inclusive Home Activities

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We have compiled a list of activities and resources that we think you’ll enjoy and will suit all abilities. Read more

Published: 30th March, 2020

Updated: 24th September, 2020

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Latest tweet

  • @CycleFife Hi @CycleFife, thanks for getting in touch. The team will give you a call today.

    29thJune, 2022 @AccessSport
  • WOW! What a privilege to bring together all of these amazing clubs and organisations for the upcoming disability-in… https://t.co/I3POisBh6F

    27thJune, 2022 @AccessSport
  • RT @LBofBromley: The bike track at Hoblingwell Wood, the Bromley Bike Hub, has now been opened by @MayorofBromley0, in partnership w… https://t.co/WpTiwISOaq

    27thJune, 2022 @AccessSport

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