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Board and Staff

Meet the team at North Riding FA

board members

 

PROFESSION: Retired Civil Engineering Project Manager now working part time as a Project Management and Planning Consultant.
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BACKGROUND: Civil Engineering Project and Planning Manager, worked within the Rail Industry for 45 years and 30 years within football administration.  Football Coach, Referee, Welfare Officer, Discipline Panel member and holder of a Diploma in Sports Psychology.

CURRENT INVOLVEMENT IN FOOTBALL: North Riding FA – Director and Chair.  
FA Council Member, FA Regional Discipline Panel Chair, member of The FA Referees Committee, FA Refereeing Equality Group and FA Referees Mental Health Champion.  

 
North Riding League Treasurer, President of the York Youth League, City of York Girls League Chair, York Minster League, U19’s League and District FA member, York Referees Association Welfare Officer.

 

 

 

PROFESSION: Chief Executive Officer of North Riding FA

BACKGROUND: Worked at North Riding FA since 2005 initially joining as a Football Development Officer before spending 7+ years as the County Development Manager. Previously worked in the Sports Development Team at the City of Sunderland Council. Steven is an FA Safeguarding Children Tutor and FA Level 2 qualified coach.

CURRENT INVOLVEMENT IN FOOTBALL: Working 24/7 to support football in North Riding.

Dr Tanya GrayDr Tanya Gray has over 20 years of experience developing sports participation, voluntary sector capacity building and economic regeneration initiatives.

Currently, Tanya supports sports clubs and voluntary associations (particularly in economically deprived areas facing multiple social and community challenges), with strategic and business planning, fund raising, bid writing and project evaluations. 

Tanya is a research associate with Durham University publishing works on place-based community development and a Board member of a local leisure trust. 

 

Profile photoBackground
David possesses a wealth of coaching experience, having coached both boys and girls in both the UK and USA for over 43 years. Alongside his coaching, David has undertaken a number of various voluntary roles in the game, ranging from fundraising, Club Welfare Officer, Treasurer, Chairman, Events Manager, and Major Project Manager.

Current Involvement in Football
In addition to his role as a Senior Independent Director at North Riding County FA, David is currently a member of Bedale Sports Association and trustee of Bedale Junior Football Club.

 

Profile photoPROFESSION: Accountant

BACKGROUND: Spent 11 years working at Chipchase Manners & Co, Middlesbrough before leaving to set up own firm. Broom Sturman & Co was formed in 1992 with Allan Sturman and has operated from an office in Acklam since then.

CURRENT INVOLVEMENT IN FOOTBALL: Association with North Riding FA goes back over 30 years, initially as honorary auditor. Lifelong Middlesbrough FC fan and season ticket holder.

 

Profession

Joe ChidanyikaNational Programme Manager for CVD at The Academic Health Science Network 

Background

Worked in the NHS and within the public health field since 2003, with roles including clinical care, health care service redesign, commissioning in primary and secondary care, as well as system leadership. This experience spans many different health and social care organisations including cardiothoracic surgery, Primary Care Trusts, Local Authority, Public Health England and more recently the Academic Health Science Network. Key topics led on within public health include cardiovascular disease, sexual health, health protection, mental health and suicide prevention. Passionate about public health, passionate about reducing health inequalities and the power that football and physical activity presents to improve people’s physical as well as emotional health and wellbeing. 

Current involvement in football

Currently manager / coach for Darlington Young Bulls U18s within the Teesside Junior Football Alliance.  

 

 

Profile photoPROFESSION:  Retired

BACKGROUND: Formerly served in the Armed Forces and spent 40 years working in the Oil Industry.

CURRENT INVOLVEMENT IN FOOTBALL: Chair of the North Riding FA Football Development Working Group, Level 5 Referee, FA Referee Tutor.

 

 

 

Profession

Currently covering Safeguarding as Lead/Named Nurse for Adults at Risk and Children throughout North Yorkshire.

Background


Previously worked within NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services throughout York and North Yorkshire as a team leader. Specialist in family therapy, ADHD, Autism, Bereavement, and also working with children with hearing impairments.
Recently worked as a Safeguarding Lead/Named Nurse for NHS Children's Safeguarding throughout all of North Yorkshire and South Teesside. 

Current involvement in football

Past football club Welfare Officer.  Currently League Welfare Officer for City of York Girls League, York Youth League and York District FA.  League Safeguarding Advocate for York FA U19’s, York Minster Engineering and North Riding Football Leagues.  FA Regional Discipline Panel Member and Board Safeguarding Champion.

 

 

north riding fa staff members

Find out more about the team at North Riding FA!

Staff photo

Steven Wade (Chief Executive)

E: steven.wade@northridingfa.com

My role is...

To spearhead the strategic direction and culture of North Riding FA. I lead delivery of The FA Grassroots Football Strategy and the North Riding FA Business Strategy, whilst being responsible for the for the day-to-day running of the Association. I also perform the role of Senior Safeguarding Lead, overseeing effective safeguarding delivery across the Association and grassroots football

The most enjoyable part of my role is...

Working with the Board and Staff to drive positive change across the business and in grassroots football. Football can bring huge health and social benefits and it’s really rewarding to be able to play a small part in making decisions that can make a fundamental difference to people’s lives.

The team I support is...

 
Newcastle United

Conor Ledgeway

Conor Ledgeway (Referee Development Officer)

E: conor.ledgeway@northridingfa.com

My role is to...

I am responsible for overseeing the recruitment, retention, development and support for referees within local grassroots football. It is my job to positively promote all things refereeing within the County and work closely with the referee volunteer workforce, to ensure all referees feel valued and supported.   

The most enjoyable part of my role is...

Being able to work in a field that my passion is in so that I can try to make a positive difference to local football. It is always great to see the way in which referees develop and improve over time, as they aim to do their best to serve the local communities that they are part of. Alongside this, it is nice to be a part of the journey for referees who wish to progress up the refereeing pyramid, aiming towards the professional game. 

The team I support is...


Leeds United.

John Fothergill

John Fothergill (Head of Football Development & Operations)

E: john.fothergill@northridingfa.com

My role is... 

I provide an overarching management structure to the Football Development, Operations and Shape the Play departments. I strive to ensure North Riding FA deliver against FA targets and customer led services with professionalism and efficiency. I also lead on Facility Development, working with clubs and key partners to identify and support the process of 3G pitches and improved club facility infrastructure. 

I most enjoy...

Supporting the amazing staff and club volunteers to make a real difference to grassroots football. From witnessing new developments for players to access the game at all pathways to providing safe and high-level environments to play, there are many rewarding elements to the role. 

The team I support is...

Newcastle (but I have a soft spot for Sunderland and Middlesbrough due to past connections to both clubs) 

 

Lesley Clark 1

Lesley Clark (Football Operations Officer - Discipline Lead)

E: lesley.clark@northridingfa.com

My role is...

Processing of all discipline reported to the County FA, including investigating more serious cases. Supporting Clubs & Leagues with discipline & suspension queries. Also provide support for Affiliation & County Cup queries.

I most enjoy...

Providing support & advice to volunteers at Clubs & Leagues. Satisfaction in resolving any issues that they may have.

The team I support is...

Leeds United - MOT

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Aimee Leonard (Football Operations Officer – Finance Lead)

E: aimee.leonard@northridingfa.com

My role involves... 
My main responsibility is the finance lead for the county, although I also look after club affiliations to ensure that they are all processed ahead of the season, and also provide admin to our prestigious county cup competitions. I also support our Referee Development Officer in delivering our referee courses across the county. 

I most enjoy...
How diverse and varied my role at the County FA is. I have the opportunity to get involved with various elements from refereeing to finance. I like being able to work in such a friendly and supportive environment, to ensure that we are all working towards making football better within North Riding.   

The team I support is...

Middlesbrough.

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Jasmine Morris (Football Development Officer - Women and Girls and Disability, and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer) 

E: jasmine.morris@northridingfa.com

My role...

Mainly consists of developing the female and disability game but additionally I also oversee our Youth Voice programmes and Futsal. I also provide support and develop FA programmes such as; FA Snickers Protein Just Play Centres, Weetabix Wildcats, England Recreational Disability and Squad Girls all working towards the National Game Strategy and Women and Girls Strategy Inspiring Positive Change. 

I most enjoy...

I absolutely love my role at North Riding. I love making a difference through the power of football and giving equal opportunities for people to be involved in the game. I also enjoy working with a diverse range of people and within various programmes and pathways. 

The team I support is...

Nottingham Forest

Chris Wood

Chris Wood - Football Development Officer

My role is...

I oversee the development of the male pathway, including Walking Football and Futsal, as well as organising CPD workshops, across a range of topics, for coaches.  

I also support the improvement of facilities across the county, offering tailored support to clubs that enquire for a range of improvements and/or purchases, depending on their needs and circumstances.

I most enjoy...

Being able to support our grassroots workforce, ensuring our clubs and leagues continue to develop and thrive in our local communities. I particularly enjoy seeing the difference that can be made, especially with developing facilities.  

The team I support is...

I'm a former Middlesbrough season ticket holder, now following non-league football.

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Clair Shield (Designated Safeguarding Officer)

E: clair.shield@northridingfa.com

My role involves... 

Raising awareness of all things safeguarding within the county, from advocating safeguarding messages to clubs, players and parents to training welfare officers, monitoring DBS compliance, dealing with poor practice concerns and supporting referees. I also investigate discipline and misconduct cases.

I most enjoy...


Helping people, if I can help I will! My job brings together my two loves – football and children. From accompanying my Dad when he coached a team when I was a kid to watching my children play now and my background as an early years educator, I have the best of both worlds!

The team I support is...
 
I like to stay neutral and just enjoy a good game – from kids on a Sunday morning to the Premier League! But if I had to pick a team, I would have to go with Newcastle.

 

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James Hadman (Shape the Play/Active Through Football Programme Manager)

My role is to... 

Manage the Shape the Play project in Central Stockton and Thornaby, which is a 5 year programme to encourage communities to become more physically active, using football as the key tool for engagement. It is not about organised formal football, but just getting people off the sofa and moving more.

I most enjoy...


My role is hugely varied and involves engaging a wide range of individuals into getting more active and is always fun and challenging, trying to think of new creative ways to get communities involved. I also enjoy seeing how our work in Stockton links back into the more strategic objectives of North Riding County FA.

The team I support is...

Middlesbrough, but with a soft spot for Crystal Palace too.

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Jordan Cotterill (Game Changer – Shape the Play) 

My role is...

I work on the ‘Shape the Play’ project, which is an exciting new Programme from Sport England, funded by the National Lottery and delivered by the Football Foundation. Working specifically in the Central Stockton and Thornaby areas. I am responsible for the practical delivery aspect of the project, helping to create welcoming and inclusive environment for each group we work with!

I most enjoy...

Working with a wide range of people from different backgrounds, hearing about their interests and passions, whilst sharing with them my own!

The team I support is... 

Middlesbrough FC. Always have since I was a boy; me and my Dad went to the cup final back in 2004 when we beat Bolton 2-1 in Cardiff!

Shamaela Khan

 

Shamaela Khan (Game Changer – Shape The Play)

My role is... 

To support the delivery of Shape the Play in Stockton and Thornaby, supporting communities to become physical active using football as the main tool to engage people. I run various sessions including a football focused multisport session with a group of adults with learning disabilities and a football themed dance session with some ladies from the local BAME community.

I most enjoy... 

My role involved working with lots of different community groups and charities and the people they support, which I love! I also love coming up with new creative ways to engage people in a ‘football inspired’ way, which is both fun for the community and myself.

The team I support is...

Middlesbrough

 

Callum Guy

Callum Guy (Football Administration Assistant)

My role is... 

Provide admin support for the Football Operations and Football Development teams. Involved in supporting coach development, county cups, discipline and England Football Accreditation.

I most enjoy... 

The variety of work is a massive plus point for me, every day there is something new and interesting to get involved in.

The team I support is...

Newcastle United.

 

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