A Bit Of History

Although born in Los Angeles, California, USA, in the very early 1960s, I moved more permanently to England when I was about 4/5 years old, living in Tadema Road, Chelsea, attending Ashburnham Primary School at the old site next to Chelsea Power Station. Miss Nobbs was the Headteacher and then Mr Buckley. Miss White was a memorable teacher and also Mr Lamb. I have visited the old school (when as a community centre and art college) since then and it was so small!

I moved to Wiltshire Close, Draycott Avenue, Chelsea, in the early 70s. I think most people from Primary School went elsewhere, but I went to Elliott Comprehensive School in Putney, in Celts (C38 & C98 with Mr Townsend, Mr Allen and Mr Read) and Mr Ross was a good Headteacher and Mrs Thomas a memorable Housemistress.

From an early age I have been passionate about and committed to developing the knowledge, skills & experience of young people; increasing their participation & involvement; enabling their voice to be heard; empowering their ability to influence and affect change; and to improve the quality of their lives.

In 1978-80, I worked at the Fulham Unemployment Benefits Office as a Clerical Officer (where I was also CPSA Union Representative during the 1979 pay camapign) and then at the 'Society of Civil & Public Servants' Trade Union.

I had also been quite involved with the Royal Court Theatre's Young People's Theatre Scheme ('Activists') from around 1978, including appearing in two shows at Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, especially the London Premier of Edward Bond's 'The Worlds', directed by the writer.

In 1980, I went to the 'Rose Bruford College of Speech & Drama' , particularly appearing as the lead in 'Macbeth', and also being elected as Secretary and then President of the College Students Union, attending NUS National Conferences, and also being on a course Board of Studies and the college Board of Governors.

Following Drama College, I secured Equity membership working for a season in a Theatre Company in Redditch, including appearing as 'Aladdin' in pantomime; and then working on and off as a professional actor in various ways, and was also particularly involved in 'Equity', various campaign and political groups, and also working with young people in drama.

Although I unfortunately began to move away from acting towards the end of the 80s, I have occassionally acted on-and-off in a well run major 400 seat local amateur theatre, having good roles in 'Blue Remembered Hills', 'Outside Edge' and Stanley in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.

Following working as a Youth Worker, particularly with the YMCA, in 1987 I went to 'Leicester Polytechnic' for two years on the 'Certificate in Youth & Community Development' professional youth and community work qualification. Whilst there, I was also on the course Board of Studies and elected to the College Students Council.

Upon leaving 'Leicester Polytechnic', I worked for around 5 months as a 'Development Officer for Volunteering' at 'Leicester Volunteer Bureau', before securing the post of 'Training Development Officer' with 'Leicestershire AIDS Support Services' (LASS), the main local HIV/AIDS agency that I had been actively volunteering in for nearly two years and was a member of their Management Committee.

From November 1989 until February 2008, I worked full-time with LASS originally as their 'Training Development Officer' and then from 1995 as their 'Training and Development Manager', responsible for the development, management and delivery of a wide range of training; volunteer recruitment and management, and various other involvements. 
 

I came to athletics and running a lot later than many at around the age of 22/23. I just seem to remember that before then, especially when very young, there didn't seem to be easily available opportunities and also I wasn't really motivated or helped enough to want to develop my involvement and any ability I might have had.

At Secondary School, I really didn't like School Sports (apart from Archery which we did for about six weeks and also regularly playing Badminton after school with some teachers I was friendly with). This lack of interest in sport was also probably influenced by the attitudes and behaviour of some PE Teachers and also not having had much previous experience, lack of confidence in my abilities at the time, and not really being/feeling motivated or encouraged to any sport in particular.

I was more interested in sport when much younger in the Cubs and the Scouts and also at Primary School, playing in the school football team and also cricket and hockey teams for a while. I suppose a big 'success' was at 11 years old when I came 1st place in the Long Jump (11-12 year olds) at the 'Chelsea District Scout Association' Annual Athletics Meeting at Battersea Park, helping the 15th Chelsea Scout Pack to overall victory by just 1 point. What dizzy heights of athletic success that was! Unfortunately, any potential this might have highlighted wasn't followed up or built upon.

Apart from some other races in School Sports at Primary School, and then once or twice at Secondary School when on one afternoon I shocked a few people when I surprisingly beat one of the school's better runners in a 200m during a normal field games lesson. However, any spark of potential that this also may perhaps have indicated wasn't picked up on and I didn't really feel motivated to follow it up anyway.

So, basically, sport wasn't something I got interested in until around about the age of 22/23 when I got more involved in road running (motivated by the London Marathon I seem to remember), leading to running quite a lot of half-marathons and 10km runs in various places all around the Country; some 5km runs here and there; and eventually having a bash at three London Marathons. No earth-shattering times, epecially as not being able to train as much as needed for significant development, but it wasn't too bad considering and there was progression and especially enjoyment.

But from the middle 80s, instead of focusing purely on my own performance, I became particularly involved in health and fitness, especially regarding sports leadership, instructing, teaching, etc.

Through my involvement with 'London Central YMCA', I became qualified as an instructor in Circuit Training, Weight Training and Running Training, regularly leading sessions at 'London Central YMCA' and some other places; as well as gaining the 'Community Sports Leaders Award' (which included having some regular practical experience in the PE Department of my old London Comprehensive School which surprised the old PE Teachers).

I also gained various Level 1 Coaching/Leaders Awards in Athletics (whilst a member of 'Belgrave Harriers'); Weight Lifting (BAWLA); Badminton (BBA); Table Tennis (ESBA) and Gymnastics (BAGA), during my completion of a 'Certificate in Physical Recreation' at the Polytechnic of North London.

Between around 1985-87, I was very involved in working with others, particularly children and young people, especially whilst with 'London Central YMCA' as a Youth Worker/Youth Tutor and through being a Circuit Training & Weight Training instructor; at 'Croydon YMCA' organising and running fun and developmental movement, exercise and gym sessions for pre-school children; at 'Hornsey YMCA' providing pre-school gym, gymnastics, movement and drama-related and sports sessions, particularly for 4-11 year olds at the YMCA and within local schools; and also assisting with athletics coaching with 'Belgrave Harriers'.

As well as working with young people, I was also regularly providing Circuit Training classes and Weight Training programmes (particularly at 'London Central YMCA' and also 'Croydon YMCA'), including Introduction to Weight Training 8-week programmes for unemployed people and also assisting the 'Teaching The Teachers' Programme which included some sessions for the British Olympic Sailing Squad and a major company.

I first got involved with the 'Owls Athletics Club' in Leicester at the start of 2005, soon completing the UK Athletics Level 1 and 2 Coaching qualification and have been regularly coaching each week since. I'm currently working through the UK Athletics Level 3 qualification.

I've also been the team manager and coach for the Year 5/6 Athletics Team for the 'District of Harborough' at the 'Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Youth Games' in both 2006 and 2007 (finishing 2nd); and have also run after-school athletics sessions for 7-11 year olds at a Sileby Primary School.

From November 1989 until February 2008, I worked full-time as a Training and Development Manager for a local charity until being made redundant due to a so-called internal 'restructure' following the arrival of a new CEO four months previously. I also previously qualified as a Youth & Community Development Worker and professional actor and drama worker.

From April-June 2008, I worked full-time as a 'sports Instructor' for 'In2Sports Ltd', particularly providing all PE within two Leicestershire Primary Schools, including Breakfast Clubs; Lunchtime clubs; and After-School Clubs.

From June 2008, I have been working full-time as 'Youth Volunteer Development Manager' for the vinvolved team covering Leicestershire & Rutland, employed by 'Voluntary Action South Leicestershire' and supported by 'LeicesterShire Volunteer Centres Network' and 'Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport', which is part of v, the National Youth Volunteering Programme.

Probably due to my own experiences, especially in sport and through secondary school, I have been particluarly influenced and motivated in wanting to offer opportunities, encourage participation and involvement and develop people, particularly younger people, in sport and atheltics (and particularly previously through drama and theatre) to be the best they can be at whatever level that might be.

Tadema Rd, Chelsea. Tadema Road, Chelsea, London.	KingsRd Kings Road - Top Floor Flat, far right.
ElliottSchool Elliott Comprehensive School,London.	National Union of School Students - 1976-78