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Our Team

At Sport Structures, our dedicated team is at the heart of everything we do. With a wealth of experience spanning education, consultancy, digital technology, and business services, each member plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, impactful solutions to the sport and physical activity sector.

From developing innovative training programmes to providing strategic consultancy, our team's collective expertise ensures we meet the evolving needs of our clients across the UK and internationally. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, empowering individuals and organisations to achieve their full potential in the world of sport.

Simon Kirkland

Simon Kirkland

Executive Chair

Simon is the founder of Sport Structures and his roles cut across all elements of the business based on his experience as an ex-Teacher, CEO of England Basketball, Facility Manager and Sport Development Officer. Simon has twice been a finalist as Coach Developer of the year and leads on the delivery of tutor, assessor, quality assurance and mentoring qualifications. He has worked with clients in the UK and around the world and oversees quality assurance and business development.

Kath Percival

Kath Percival

Chief Executive Officer

Kath is hands-on director and is responsible for making strategic and operational decisions for the company. Kath is specifically responsible for curriculum development, education and training and marketing. She leads our education and training department, managing our 'offer' and exploring new business opportunities

Ross Szabo

Ross Szabo

Chief Operating Officer

Ross is responsible for the operations and compliance of our apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programmes at Sport Structures which includes the managment of budgets and the relationships with our clients. Ross also supports the business development function of our business in the area of funded provision and supports clients in a consultancy capacity to identify workforce development solutions and how to implement these

Jo Pilgrim

Jo Pilgrim

Director of Development

Jo joins leads our consultancy team with a breadth of experience in the sport development sector. She has developed and delivered many people programmes, helping the sector professionals become more skilful in their roles to move practice forward. Jo is passionate about using physical activity to enhance the skills of all. Jo is a highly effective facilitator and resource writer who has worked for NGBs, Youth Sport Trust, Sport England and National Citizen Service ensuring a deep understanding of physical activity, physical education and sport.

Colin Geenes

Colin Geenes

Director of Digital Technology

Colin is responsible for our online learning and information technology provisions. He is experienced in developing online learning content that is engaging for learners but also inclusive for learners. Colin also supports our consultancy team with research and insight projects.

Jobeth Hamilton

Jobeth Hamilton

Project Manager: People Development

Jobeth works predominately on workshop delivery and development, focus group facilitation, impact evaluation, strategy and governance and apprenticeships. She supports our clients and works with them closely to deliver a high-quality service that finds innovative solutions to sport development challenges.

Jon Gath

Jon Gath

Apprenticeship Programme Manager

Jon is responsible for the operational management of apprenticeships and the management of our apprenticeship tutor workforce. He oversees compliance requirements and manages relationships with our employers and clients to maintain a high standard of apprenticeship delivery.

Sarina Haddock

Sarina Haddock

Quality and Training Manager

Sarina is responsible for the development of candidates understanding linked to knowledge within the apprenticeship. Sarina is also their support and guidance to develop any new skills they may need to produce the evidence required to meet the relevant standard.

Lucy Wallbank

Lucy Wallbank

Senior Marketing & Business Development Officer

Lucy works cross-company, leading all of our marketing activity. From designing eye-catching infographics to promoting our training opportunities to working behind the scenes on data and analytics, no two days are the same for Lucy.

Abhishek Sudhakar

Abhishek Sudhakar

Online & Data Officer

Abhishek supports the development of our online learning officer as well as working on projects that are driven by data including ones such as British Canoeing – Improving Accessibility & Disabled Participation, and Activity Alliance – Ecosystem Mapping. His experience in Project Management and background in Computer Science stands him in good stead with the ever-evolving needs of the sport development sector.

Aeryn Newman

Aeryn Newman

Project Officer

Aeryn oversees the general day-to-day running of the Apprenticeship programmes, from onboarding to liaising with tutors and employers to ensure that the programmes run smoothly. She also ensures all apprenticeships are correctly funded for and ensuring that everything is organised in the best way possible. Outside of work, Aeryn enjoys refereeing rugby union and going to the gym, outsides of sport she has a keen interest in learning languages like Romanian.

Amy Neil

Amy Neil

Tutor/Assessor

Amy has 8 years of experience within the sports and education sector and always had a passion for sport. From delivering Sport and Fitness in a college setting, to now delivering Community Activator coach, Sport and Health Officer and Teaching Assistant Apprenticeships. Amy’s teaching philosophy is to focus on building students’ independence and supporting students to reach their potential of making a difference within the sporting industry.

Becca Holl

Becca Holl

Tutor/Assessor

Becca is committed to inspire her learners to have an active can-do attitude, motivate an affinity towards critical thinking. Transferring their new skills, directly to positively impact their real-world jobs, making the most of every new opportunity to grow all skills independently & more importantly enjoy their new developing roles. Previously for 20 years Becca worked across many roles operational, training, audit, coaching & mentoring within the hospitality business.Becca is currently part time for Sport Structures, she also enjoys her other role as a self-employed Garden Designer.

Duncan Donnelly

Duncan Donnelly

Tutor/Assessor

At 16 years old Duncan started his working life as an Apprentice Shipwright at Swan Hunters Shipyard on the River Tyne. Following that he had a 17-year career in the Royal Air Force as an Engineer. Duncan's career as an engineer consistently involved opportunities to develop through education. Sport, Physical Activity, and Coaching were also a huge part of his career. After leaving the RAF he started a career in coaching which eventually led to running his own coaching company for 15 years delivering Physical Activity and Sport in Primary Schools and communities across the North East. Teaching and Education has always been a foundation stone for Duncan's career and has eventually led him to his career as an Apprenticeship Tutor/Assessor and his current role with Sport Structures.

Duncan has worked with Sport Structures for many years. In his current full-time role, he is responsible for delivering the Level 3 Community Sport and Health Officer, Level 2 Community Activator, and Level 4 Sports Coach apprenticeship Standards. As part of Sport Structures Quality Assurance and commitment to constantly improving Duncan is also responsible for development work on our apprenticeship programmes.

FARIDA ADUBOAHENE

Farida Aduboahene

Finance & Business Support Officer

Farida specialises in finance and also plays a vital role cross company, supporting operations in education and apprenticeships. Farida coordinates our day-to-day finance, overseeing account payables/ receivables, sales/purchase invoices, and reconciliation. She has responsibility for Archery GB courses, liaising with learners, venues, and tutors to ensure courses are running smoothly. Farida also supports the apprenticeship department to ensure apprenticeship compliance documents are up-to-date and monitors learner progress. Lastly, Farida works with partners who use our meeting room ensuring a positive experience.

Gill Prince

Gill Prince

Tutor/Assessor

Gill uses her 20+ years as a PE teacher - working across the Key Stages in both the state and private sectors - to tutor and assess Apprentice Sports Coaches in Activity Leadership and PE and School Sport (PESS). Gill also leads Multi-Skills Award and Certificate courses. Her roles take her across the south/south-east of England; from her home in Kent to Bournemouth in the west, up to Oxford in the Cotswolds and across to Norwich in Norfolk.

Iman Mahmood

Iman Mahmood

Project Officer

Iman has a great deal of experience working in community sport with a particular focus on tackling inequalities and removing barriers to participation. She supports management and delivery of a range of projects including governance and strategy development, research and insight, workforce development and more. With an insight into the challenges faced by the most underrepresented communities as well as an understanding of the sport development sector, she provides a unique perspective to any project she works on.

Jevan Atkins

Jevan Atkins

Sport Project Officer

Jevan is a project officer within our Education team, looking after our Safeguarding, Time to Listen and First Aid workshops and assisting in the running of multiple coaching courses including Basketball, Korfball and PESSPA. Jevan comes from a sports-mad family and has been a basketball and hockey coach himself for over a decade.

Joanne Collins

Joanne Collins

Tutor/Assessor

Joanne's role is to support, coach, and stretch our learners into becoming well-rounded individuals who are confident in taking their next steps in their careers. Joanne strives to inspire and empower those around her to be the best they can be. Alongside key administrative tasks, her main role involves remotely engaging with learners daily, ensuring they meet qualification standards, and teaching them in a way that inspires growth in their professional and personal lives