Did you know that we have a whole team of people behind the scenes here at Inclusive Sports that work full time to make all the sessions possible?
We thought that today we would spend some time reintroducing the office team, and getting all of you familiar with those who work so hard to make sure that you get the best service possible when accessing any of our provision.
Andy Warmington: Founder and Director
Andy is the main man behind Inclusive Sports, who you will find spending time with his young family, representing the county in the Men's Warwickshire racketball team or enjoying a local curry on the weekend.
When asked what his main achievements were, Andy said:
"I was awarded a civic honour for services to sport in Solihull in 2017, along with Care professional of the year at Solihull Together Awards in 2016. During 2012, whilst Head Coach at Solihull Arden club we were awarded National club of the year for development work. More recently, I walked the National 3 peaks in 24 hours!"
Of course, being the person that set up Inclusive Sports, Andy has a passion for Inclusion and believes that sport should be accessible for all... But why and how did the journey begin?
"I set the company up in 2015, which started with 1 project per week & things rolled from there. I am extremely proud of the growth since then, we have been fortunate to have attracted passionate, experienced and dedicated staff who buy into the company's values who I feel privileged to work alongside (don't tell them I said that!) along with vast the number of SEND children and young people who we have reached out to. The Inclusive Sports of today has had a positive impact on the lives of SEND families through the diverse services we are able to offer. Ultimately, for me, it is important that children and young people with Send are given an opportunity in life to succeed, to live a happy and fulfilling life and have a sense of belonging. It fills me with a great deal of pride that Inclusive Sports provides that platform."
To get in touch with Andy, please reach out via email: andy@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
Kat O'Donovan: Operations Manager
Kat has worked at Inclusive Sports for nearly four years, and in her spare time loves spending time with her grown up children, going to concerts and the theatre. Prior to this role, Kat worked the VCSE sector for over ten years and has a real passion for supporting families and children in and around the Solihull area living with SEND. Whilst at Inclusive Sports, Kat has completed a level 5 operations manager course, and is the designated safeguarding lead.
So, where did Kat's passion for SEND begin?
"My passion for SEND started within our own family network, and I saw first hand the challenges and barriers faced when raising a child with SEND. I qualified as a level three teaching assistant assistant and also completed my level three NCFE in mentoring and coaching. I worked in a local SEN school, working with a young person with ASD. This is where I got to see the outcomes and achievements that could be made with the correct support.This lead me to go to university where I studied Occupational Therapy - I also have a foundation degree in therapy and social care studies. All these skills have equipped me to look at the CYP I support in a person centred way, how to engage in activities and to cater to individual needs"
Kat has continued her journey at Inclusive Sports, and has made the role completely her own, but what does a day in her life look like?
"A day in the life of my workload can be anything from planning and running successful holiday clubs (HAF) to term time activities, new referrals and also running our PA service on a 1.1 basis . I attend strategic meetings with the local authority, as well as supporting other CIC'S and families."
To get in touch with Kat, send your queries over to kat@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
Caitlin Gray: Digital Marketing Manager
Caitlin runs all of our online marketing strategies, as well as our social media platforms, website and is our in-house graphic designer for all of our promotional material. Her expertise is utilised not just for Inclusive Sports, but multiple other Inclusive CICs across Solihull. Caitlin graduated from the University of Salford with a Bachelors degree in Multimedia Journalism, and since joining Inclusive Sports she has completed her Level 3 Team Leader qualification, now working towards her Operations Manager Level 5 diploma. She is Inclusive Sports' ambassador for Encouraging Women into Franchising, and has recently been put forward for an award for new young women in business.
When not working at Inclusive Sports, you will find Caitlin with her beloved bull-springer dog Opie by her side, with a book or margarita in hand. She has a passion for literary and cinematic horror, music and tattoos which takes up a lot of her spare time (and salary).
Caitlin is stationed in the North West, and is our only fully remote member of the team, beginning her journey off the back of COVID with Inclusive in 2021:
"I had just finished University during the pandemic, and made a move to the Midlands to live with my now-fiance. It was such a scary and daunting time and I alongside my peers was very worried and unsure about my future, but once an email fell into my inbox regarding a marketing role at Inclusive Sports, everything turned around and my career began. Inclusive has not only opened my eyes to the world of SEND, but has ignited a real passion for marketing, and introduced me to an industry I love (and makes me proud) being apart of- I will always be so grateful to Inclusive Sports and can't fault the mentorship and support I have had over the last few years."
For any marketing or press enquiries, send an email over to caitlin@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
Damian King - Young People's Coordinator
Damian has been part of the Inclusive Sports Academy team since January 2024, helping to facilitate older young person projects called Inclusive Transitions and Inclusive Cafe, alongside the high support needs holiday program Inclusive Essentials. Personally and professionally, Damian has had the pleasure to parent two amazing (now adult) boys who live with SEND, and has worked in the health and social care setting for 30 years.
When asked about something that he enjoys about his role, Damian said:
"To see how these projects has grown has been great and humbling to see, alongside how the young people attending these programs have developed emotionally, socially and up skilled themselves when travelling on public transport and managing their own money alongside supporting one another as a friendship group. I look forward to seeing how my role unfolds and how the program I support benefits the young people who access them."
To have a chat with Damian regarding our young people, please drop an email to damian@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
Eva Riddiford: Term Time Administrator
Eva works in an administration capacity amongst lots of different areas within Inclusive Sports, and also often works on sessions alongside our young people. Eva loves music, festivals, food and being on holiday, with a fun fact about her being that she loves to colour in, owning multiple books and a box full of pens. Her favourite thing to do on the weekend is to make memories with her family and friends.
So, why did Eva join the team?
"I joined Inclusive Sports to gain more knowledge about disabilities and how important it is to be aware of them. Inclusive Sports is so important to exist as it gives young people a chance to have their own independence, form friendships, socialise with peers, try new things and be able to participate in new activities that they may not have tried before."
If you would like to get in touch with Eva in regards to anything Inclusive Sports, please email eva@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
Mollie Edwards: Business admin apprentice
Mollie joined Inclusive Sports in June 2024, restarting her career and supporting us with the skills gained from her business administration apprenticeship. You will usually find Mollie walking her pet french bulldog Eddie on the weekends, with her favourite things to do being to bake and make memories with family and friends. A random fact about Mollie is that she has naturally curly hair!
When asked why she joined Inclusive Sports, Mollie said:
"To gain more knowledge on disabilities and how we benefit the young individuals who have these disabilities."
To get in touch with Mollie, please send an email over to mollie@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
Liyah Neale: Administrator
Liyah is part of our team in an administration capacity, and has obtained a health and social care level 3 extended diploma, currently studying psychology and sociology at University. Liyah loves animals, (in particular monkeys!) and loves to spend time with family and friends outside of work. A random fact about her is that she once met Alison Hammond whilst shopping in B&M!
When asked why she joined the team, Liyah said:
"I joined Inclusive Sports because I think it is highly important that those with additional needs have access to clubs and provisions where they are able to be truly themselves, in a safe and non-judgemental environment."
To get in touch with Liyah, please contact liyah@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
Lucy Hancock: Administrator
Lucy is part of our team as administration support and is a PA to some of our CYP, with a degree in sports science and physical education. Outside of work, Lucy is a mum to her daughter and you will usually find her on the weekend at playgroup or relaxing to Disney Plus on the sofa with her little girl. Lucy's absolute favourite food is a curry!
When asked why she enjoys working with Inclusive Sports, Lucy said:
"I love working with Inclusive Sports as I feel we make a huge difference to individuals lives! It’s a rewarding job and I wouldn’t want to do anything different!"
To get in touch with Lucy, reach out to lucy@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
Deb Jacques: Community Link Officer
Deb has recently become our Community Link Officer, being part of Inclusive Sports for two years helping to run our youth and gaming clubs as well as HAF events and PA work. Within the new role, Deb develops a link between us, local special schools and additional resource centres within the community so that appropriate awareness is raised with SEND Families about Inclusive Sports, along with identifying children and young people who will benefit from the services offered.
Deb has over 20 years of experience working with SEND children and young people in various educational and social settings. Deb is passionate about creating change to offer social opportunities for Neurodiverse young people whom she cares so much about.
To reach out to Deb, send an email over to deb@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
Louise Abbott: Project Admin and Support
Louise joined the Inclusive Sports team in Summer 2023 whilst supporting some of our CYP as a PA, later becoming a part of the office team to support with planning sessions and our CCN initiative.
Louise has a HND in Therapeutic Studies, and has strong communication skills, patience and empathy for the challenges faced by children and young people with disabilities and SEND.
To get in touch with Louise, send your query over to Louise@inclusivesportsacademy.org
If this blog has inspired you to join the Inclusive Sports team, feel free to reach out to any member of the team who will support you in your application.
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