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
George Cull
George joined the North Yorkshire Sport team as Delivery Manager in May 2009. Previously he had spent just over two years working with Lancashire County Sports Partnership in the capacity of Partnership Development Officer working on the establishment of Lancashire Community Sports Networks, developing club accreditation and NGB Liaison. Prior to that role he had worked for Hyndburn Borough Council and Leisure in Hyndburn Trust as a Sports Development Officer. This post followed Georges graduation from York St Johns in 2002 with a degree in Leisure and Tourism Management, which he had completed after doing a BTEC in Sports Science at Yorkshire Coast College.
Georges role at North Yorkshire Sport involves overseeing the work of the team and working on areas such as club and coach development, Community Sports Networks support, NGB and Local Authority Liaison and strategic planning across the County.
Outside of work George is a keen footballer and plays for a Saturday league team. He also likes to cycle as well as running and basketball.
Tel: (01423) 556437
E-mail: george.cull@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 -NGB's
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
Building Capacity Officer - Physical Activity
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.
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 has established and chairs the NY Physical Activity Forum. 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.
Tel: 01423 545576
E-mail: martyn.bolt@ctc.org.uk
Disability Development Officer
Simon Pierce
Simon graduated from Swansea Institute of Higher Education with a BA degree in Sport and Recreation Management. After initially working for the Leeds Mental Health Trust as a Health Support Worker; then a fitness instructor in the purpose built gyms in the 3 psychiatric hospitals in Leeds ; he was employed by the Federation of Disability Sports Organisations (FDSO) to develop a healthy living project which was piloted over 3 years in the region.
Although still employed by FDSO, Simon is currently working as part of the North Yorkshire Sport team on the disability development plan and the Playground to Podium Initiative for the county. This will entail working with partners across the delivery system for sport in North Yorkshire to:-
• Increase the number of disability equality tutors, coaches, volunteers and participation opportunities for disabled athletes
• Look at performance pathways for disabled athletes towards London 2012
Tel: 01423 556782
E-mail: simon.pierce@harrogate.gov.uk
Rugby Development Officer
Alec Porter
Alec is the RFU Rugby Development Officer for North Yorkshire. Alec started working in North Yorkshire in October 2008. Alec has worked for the RFU for 11 years; previous roles were in Leeds & Wakefield and Cumbria. His current role involves developing rugby in clubs, schools, colleges and universities and working with clubs to achieve the RFU seal of approval / club mark. Alec is a keen skier and golfer..
Tel: 07764960376
E-mail: alecporter@rfu.com