Meet The Team

Executive Director

David Watson

Formerly an employee of Harrogate Borough Council with over 17 years of experience in the Sport and Physical Activity industry and a qualified Youth Worker, David became Executive Director of North Yorkshire Sport on July 1st 2006. Prior to that he had worked with North Yorkshire Sport on a secondment from Harrogate Borough Council where he had gained valuable experience of both Facility Management, working and managing both wet and dry sites, and Sports Development. He also worked for eleven years as a part time Physical Education teacher at a local primary school giving him an insight in to the particular needs of education.
David’s role is to provide strategic leadership and to manage the financial, human and physical resources assigned to the Partnership.
David is a member of the Amateur Swimming Association and represents the Yorkshire ASA on the North East Region Management Board.

Delivery Manager

Damien Smith

Damien graduated from Leeds Met University in 2001 with a BA (Hons) degree in Physical Education. Damien joined North Yorkshire Sport in April 2007 from his previous role as Senior Sports Development Officer with Harrogate Borough Council having joined the team there in 2004 from the British Triathlon Association where he held the position of Regional Development Officer covering the North East and Yorkshire & Humberside regions.

Damien has benefitted from his experiences while working as a National Governing Body Officer and within two very different Local Authorities in the Yorkshire Region, having worked briefly with Leeds City Council.

His current role involves ensuring that the County Sports Partnership takes a strategic lead on workforce development, supporting the development of community sports networks and creating strong sustainable links with National Governing Bodies of Sport. Damien is a keen skier and still has maintained strong links with the local Triathlon community.

Tel: (01423) 556437
E-mail: damien.smith@harrogate.gov.uk

Volunteer Sector Support Officer

Lucy Smith

Having graduated from the University of Hull in 2004 with a BA (Hons.) degree in Sports Science and Management, Lucy began her career in sport working for Leeds City Council on community sports development followed by the role of Community Leisure Officer for City of York Council, predominantly working alongside the voluntary sports club sector assisting with club and volunteer development. Lucy joined the North Yorkshire Sport team in January 2008 as Volunteer Development Officer.

Her Current role includes assisting to develop the workforce across the sub region, increasing the number of volunteers involved in community sport, working closely with volunteer centres, local authorities and a range of voluntary organisations. Lucy takes a lead on the PESSCL strategy, linking with the School Sports Partnerships, Youth Sport Trust and Local Education Authorities and also leads the NYS role in the Step Into Sport Programme and Multi Skill Club Development.

Tel: (01423) 545574
E-mail: lucy.smith@harrogate.gov.uk

Building Capacity Officer

Paul Downes

Paul’s first involvement with working in sport was in 1999 where he worked part time as a Football coach in schools around the York area. From this coaching experience he decided to change careers and studied Physical Education and Sports Studies at York St John’s College. After graduating in 2005 Paul commenced work with City Of York Council in the Sport and Recreation team. Paul worked on the Active England project ‘Street Sport York’ where he coordinated and delivered multi sports for ‘hard to reach groups’ in York and its surrounding areas. Following on from this in January 2006 Paul moved jobs to work for Wakefield Metropolitan District Council as Sport and Active Lifestyles Development Officer. This project focused on raising participation rates in community sports and physical activity in the Castleford area. After two years on this successful project Paul then progressed to work for North Yorkshire Sport (NYS) as Building Capacity Officer in January 2008. Paul’s key roles within the NYS core team are Player Pathways, FANS scheme, Playground To Podium, Coach Education (online), Club mark, Workforce Development, NGB liaison and the North Yorkshire Youth Games. Paul is a keen footballer and plays local football in York and also coaches’ junior football.

Tel: 01423 545187

E-Mail: paul.downes@harrogate.gov.uk

Liaison Officer

Rachel Davies

Rachel joined the North Yorkshire Sport team in November 2007. Prior to this she was a student at York St John University studying Sport Studies and Physical Education. During her time at university Rachel had connections with North Yorkshire Sport, taking on the role of Volunteer Coordinator, which involved recruiting volunteers for the North Yorkshire Youth Games in 2006 and 2007.

Whilst completing her degree Rachel volunteered once a week at a local secondary school. This involved assisting in the PE department and supervising groups of year 7 children on their annual residential trip. Rachel’s current role involves developing the partnership through increased and improved methods of communication and working with the volunteers in the lead up to the Youth Games. Rachel is a keen netballer and plays in the York and District League.

Tel: (01423) 556782

E-mail: rachel.davies@harrogate.gov.uk

Information Officer

Laura Tiemens

After gaining a BA (Hons) degree in Media and Cultural Studies, Laura continued her studies and graduated from the University of Liverpool in December 2004 with an MBA in Urban Regeneration. Laura’s interest in Sport Development stemmed from active participation in sports such as rowing combined with special interest projects completed at University.

Laura Joined North Yorkshire Sport in January 2008, following 3 years with a global logistics company, providing project support and information reporting. As Information Officer, her role now focuses on coordinating the performance management process, which largely involves the monitoring and evaluation of projects. Key work areas include Active People / Active Places, market segmentation, Clubmark, Community Sport Coach Scheme, and PESSCL.

Tel: 01423 545575

E-Mail: laura.tiemens@harrogate.gov.uk

Business Development Officer

Sam Parker

Sam graduated two years ago from Leeds Trinity & All Saints with a BA in Sociology and Media and got the job of Sport Development Assistant at Leeds Trinity & All Saints. Working there for two years he co-ordinated and organised the Coach Education Programme and ran the Volunteer Programme as well as working with British University Sports Association.

He started at North Yorkshire Sport in January 2008 as Business Development Officer. Within his current role Sam is working on creating a Graduate Work Placement scheme, as well as securing funding and sponsorship for various North Yorkshire Sport and Local Authorities events. Sam is a keen cricketer and is currently helping his club side set up a youth structure including working towards club mark.

Tel: 01423 545576

E-mail: sam.parker@harrogate.gov.uk

Community Cycling Development Officer

Martyn Bolt

Martyn is based within North Yorkshire Sport as the CTC Community Cycling Development Officer for North Yorkshire.

Before joining CTC as a staff member this year he was self employed for 24 years running a cleaning business which at one point covered the North of England providing window, carpet, upholstery and office cleaning services.

He is a keen cyclist who has helped to organise many cycling related sporting, recreational, challenge and social events in his spare time and is currently the Secretary of Ravensthorpe Cycling Club.

In the last 10 years Martyn has been heavily involved in bringing about improvements for cyclists in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, Chairing Kirklees Public Cycling Forum for over 8 years, being involved in mass participation events as well as designing the courses for the 2005 Tour of Britain's "Yorkshire tour ride". Last year he designed and organised a sportive event in Kirklees, which looks set now to become an annual event.

In 2005 Martyn organised a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of a British rider finishing the Tour de France, the dinner and subsequent ride drew riders from as far a field as Australia and Canada and has led to the formation of many friendships with riders spanning over half a century. In addition to regular cycling club rides, Martyn takes part in ‘Audax’ events and has twice completed the Paris-Brest-Paris Randonee.