What do you currently do? 

Currently, I work in the Sport and Active Lifestyle Team at the University of Chester. My role focuses on increasing student engagement in sport and physical activity by creating more inclusive and accessible opportunities. This includes introducing new activities, enhancing our existing programmes, and building strong partnerships with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and external organisations.

I am also passionate about empowering students to take on leadership roles within sport. By providing structured volunteering opportunities, I aim to help students find their place in sport, whether that’s as a coach, referee, volunteer, or in another capacity beyond participation.

Tell us about your sporting background.

I have always enjoyed being active, but I didn’t begin playing competitive football until age 13, as a goalkeeper. Despite this later start, I was selected to represent my county at 15. I went on to play football at Loughborough University, where I was also introduced to futsal, which I have continued to play ever since.

Alongside playing, I have developed experience in sports operations. In 2022, I had the opportunity to support Team England at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games through an internship. This experience in a high-performance, multi-sport environment inspired me to continue pursuing similar opportunities. More recently, I have supported GB Students at the World University Games and worked with Team GB at their Paris 2024 Kitting Out event.

What is your area of interest when it comes to accessing sport?

My main area of interest is improving access to sport for young people, particularly by broadening awareness of the opportunities available beyond traditional school settings. Often, young people’s experiences are limited to a narrow range of activities, which can reduce long-term engagement.

I am especially passionate about ensuring that young people understand there are multiple pathways within sport, not just as participants, but as coaches, officials, and volunteers. Through increasing awareness and reducing barriers to entry, I believe more young people can find a role in sport that suits them and remain engaged long-term.

Why did you want to become a member of the Youth Board?

I wanted to become a member of the Youth Board at YST to contribute to meaningful, positive change in sport and physical activity for young people. Previously, I worked as a Youth Sport Trust Team Leader, supporting targeted residentials, where I saw first-hand the value the organisation places on youth voice.

Being part of the Youth Board allows me to share my experiences both internally and with external organisations, while also learning from like-minded individuals with diverse perspectives. I am motivated by the opportunity to collaborate, influence, and help shape more inclusive opportunities for young people.

If you could change one thing about sport or physical activity for young people, what would that be?

I would remove socio-economic barriers that prevent young people from accessing sports and physical activity opportunities. Whilst school sport plays an important role, it only represents a small portion of what is available, and many young people are unaware of the wider opportunities beyond it.

Through increasing awareness and reducing financial and social barriers, more young people would be able to find activities that they enjoy and remain engaged in sport and physical activity long-term. Every young person should have the opportunity to participate in a way that works for them.

Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself.

In 2021, I took a leap of faith and completed a charity skydive, raising over £750 for the British Heart Foundation.