We are a unique organisation, working with schools, community organisations and sports clubs. We are unique because we run bespoke emotional well-being programmes using the principles of sport and physical activity to address the issues children and young people (CYP) face. Whether it’s behaviour, self-esteem, identity, mental or physical ill-health, our programmes are focused on the participant. After all, one size doesn’t fit all.
WHY WE DO IT
“As a kid, sport and physical activity was my ‘hook’. I learnt about adversity, health, identity and prejudice all through sport. Who I am now and what I have achieved are consequences of these experiences growing up. I’ve always wanted to leave a positive imprint on my community. So, for me, this is by helping to create for others, the same environment that has allowed me to follow my dreams.”
Bradley Pritchard, Founder of Sporting Way
Our core values
EDUCATE
ENGAGE
INSPIRE
Meet the team
Su has enjoyed a rich and varied career as an HR leader, coach and mediator, with a key focus on learning, people and organisational development and change. She has overseen and delivered significant organisational transformation, leadership and people development programmes, led large teams and developed and implemented strategy in a range of local, national and global organisations, spanning public and private sectors.
Career highlights include:
- Leading the Airport Construction Training Alliance Local Labour Strategy at Heathrow Airport, which encompassed a range of award-winning educational, training, mentoring and sustainable employment initiatives and became a model for the 2012 Olympics construction programme and serving on the Governing Body for one of London’s largest FE Colleges;
- As Deputy Director of HR at Jobcentre Plus, developing the first-ever JcP People Strategy, directing a major change programme for the Department of Work and Pensions and serving on the DWP Diversity and Equality Steering Group;
- As Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) at University College London (UCL) and member of the Senate (Academic Committee) and Academic Board, contributing to the development and oversight of the institutional learning and teaching approach and strategy, and leading and coaching the CALT team through a challenging restructuring exercise;
- As Global Programme Director, Executive Education, at Cass (now Sayes) Business School, working with other leading business schools around the world to deliver and evaluate innovative leadership development programmes for major clients, and mentoring aspiring women leaders through the ‘Aurora’ Programme;
- Working with a colleague and friend from the Muslim faith, to co-design, develop and deliver a ground-breaking accredited ‘Marital Mediation’ programme on behalf of the Council of European Jamaats, aimed at leaders within the faith community who would then be able to support married couples to resolve conflict and find a positive way forward within their marriages.
Su’s sporting credentials centre on tennis. A former Ladies’ Captain of The Queen’s Club, she has played competitively at top club level and is an accredited UK/US Professional Tennis Registry coach. Still playing league tennis, Su’s main aim is now to hold out as long as possible before being beaten by her grandchildren. Football is also a passion, and as a lifelong supporter of Huddersfield Town FC, she has been forced to develop a high degree of personal resilience (especially where penalty shoot-outs are involved).
“Ally” is a Chartered Physiotherapist working in the NHS as a specialist in intermediate care, helping people regain mobility and independence post illness or surgery. Ally also has 10 years’ experience as a physiotherapist in non-league men’s football (she has the winner’s medals to prove it!) Incredibly, she also has time to be the first team Physiotherapist for world famous YouTube football team, SE DØNS. Don’t tell her something can’t be done because she breaks barriers for a living!
Jack played international football and cricket at youth level for Trinidad and Tobago at U15 and U17 respectively. He decided to focus on his football and attended North Carolina State University. He transferred to Loughborough University to complete his BSc in Engineering. Jack continued to Imperial College London where he attained a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering. Finally, after his years of education, he returned to Trinidad where he played professional football in the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League.
Now currently working as a Process Engineer, Jack considers his sporting history as achievements to be celebrated, but also a fundamental part of his personal development. It instilled in him, mental toughness, self confidence and an appreciation of the value of hard work and perseverance.
Carlton has over a decade of experience as a teacher and middle leader in secondary schools in Birmingham, London and Oldham. He specialised in PSHE, Citizenship and Religious Education. Carlton now works as a policy advisor and is a director of a credit union. He is passionate about poetry and has had work published in various places, including The Poetry Review.
Matthew is an ex-professional football, having spent 8 years at West Bromwich Albion from 13 years old to 21 years old. His experiences growing up and traversing through the minefield that is professional sport gave him the knowledge and skills to become a mentor to and role model for young footballers. He is an advocate for the positive impact that sport and physical activity can have on children’s confidence and sense of belonging.
Bradley was born in Zimbabwe and moved to England at nine years old. He left Loughborough University with Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in English & Sports Science, and Sports Science respectively. He also completed a Law degree and LPC at BPP Law School while competing in the Championship for Charlton Athletic F.C. as a professional footballer. Bradley joined the law firm, Mishcon de Reya LLP, when he retired from professional football. However, his experiences inspired him to set up a non-profit organisation running emotional well-being programmes for young people, focusing on sport and physical activity. He also currently sits on The Football Association’s Judicial Panel and Exceptions Panel. He is a member of the Kent FA Council, a board member for the Sport for Development Coalition and a trustee for the charity Groundwork London.
Adam is the Swiss Army Knife of Sporting Way. He does it all, and is very good at it! Whether it is liaising with a parent/carer, or designing an emotional wellbeing programme for children with SEND, he personifies the Sporting Way mindset that every child should feel happy and safe. He is the Designated Safeguarding Lead, and is our Lead Health and Safety and Lead First Aid. Outside of work Adam enjoys visiting new countries and experiencing different cultures. We couldn’t get a comment because he was too busy doing everything!
Daniel is one important part of our Senior Leadership Team. His creativity, energy and ability to find common ground with everyone he meets is why the young people love him so much. He designs our employability programmes; so expect to see things like moot court hearings, practice job interviews, or Dragon’s Den style workshops. They are always fun and thought-provoking.
Daniel has been involved in youth work for over a decade. In his own words “It wasn’t something I set out to do, but looking back, it feels like it was always meant to be. Working with young people has shaped me as much as I’ve aimed to support them…. And yes, coffee definitely helps.”
