Kate Taylor BA (Hons) MSc | Managing Director

As the founder and Managing Director of Sporting Start Kate is passionate about helping children to develop their skills and sense of achievement within physical activity and sport.

Kate is a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner as well as a QTS qualified teacher.

Active promotion of subject specialists by Ofsted confirms what all of us have long known - standards rise when high quality external support is used well.

Here at Sporting Start, we are fully committed to helping guide children towards a more exciting and fulfilling future. Self-esteem, confidence and attainment are crucial aspects of our work. The change of pace and in-depth subject expertise we provide can help children to dramatically improve their communication skills, fitness, discipline and a whole range of life skills.

claire

Claire Taylor | Physical Education Curriculum Specialist

Claire Taylor has been an integral part of the Sporting Start team for almost seven years. She graduated in 2011 from Durham University with a BA Hons degree in Sport.

Claire's role within the company is Physical Education Curriculum Specialist and she supplies the company with all planning in line with the National Curriculum.

Claire is also the leader of the Gifted and Talented program. This program works to support and progress  the highest level performers within the primary schools to help them develop their skills, ensuring they reach their potential.

Claire's background in sport is very varied. She had a spell at Manchester United playing football for their ladies team before continuing with football in the highest university league with Durham University. Claire is also a talented hockey, cricket and rugby player.

Jack Loudoun l Senior Coach

Jack joined the Sporting Start team whilst also studying for his A Levels as an assistant coach. Since then, Sporting Start has supported Jack in completing his Advanced Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Physical Education and School Sport.

In addition to this Jack is an FA Level 2 qualified football coach, currently coaching the U15 Harrogate Railways football team.

Jack is a wonderful asset to the team and is currently working as one of the senior coaches delivering sessions in primary schools.

Interesting Fact - Jack has played football since he was 5 years old and has won multiple County and League Cups.

Barnaby Hawkins l Gym Instructor and Apprentice Personal Trainer

Barny joined the Sporting Start team full time in October 2019 to embark on a Level 2 Gym instructor. However, Barny has been in the Sporting Start family since he was 12, when he started training as a Young Sports Leader with the company. in 2016 he joined the team as a member of the Sport Camp team whilst completing his A Levels.

Since then Barny has started his Level 3 Personal Training apprenticeship with Sporting Start.

Barny is a keen gym and fitness enthusiast and brings this knowledge to the company when leading fitness sessions.

Barny hopes in the future to have his own personal training empire.

Harry Thompson l Apprentice Sport Coach

Harry joined the Sporting Start team full time in August 2020 to embark on an apprenticeship in Community Sport and Health. Harry currently assists in the teaching of Physical Education in Primary Schools and is one of the Lead Sport Coaches on Sport Camp.

Interesting Fact - Harry can juggle and break dance (spinning on his head at the same time).

Sarah Lynch l Business Manager and Safeguarding Lead

Sarah joined the Sporting Start team in 2015 initially as a 'Mummy' to one of her children (who is a member of the Gifted and Talented Academy.

Since then, Sarah has joined the team to undertake day to day admin tasks for the company as well as assist with decision making. Sarah also assists with the running of the Gifted and Talented Academy's trips and residential.

Sarah had a career in the Police Force, as a specialist in safeguarding and protecting. As a result this wealth of knowledge is an asset to the Sporting Start team.

 

Summer Camp Seasonal Staff

Rob - Is Sporting Start's 1:1 specialist. At Sporting Start we believe in inclusive practice and therefore aim to make all camp activities inclusive to all children. Rob, therefore is available to work 1:1 with children to support their needs on Camp. Rob is also a very talented football player, currently playing for Kirk Deighton Rangers FC.

 

Hannah - is one of your wonderful University staff who joins the team during the holidays. Hannah spends most of her time at camp working with the younger children who attend camp.

 

 

Ed - joined the Sporting Start family in the summer of 2020. Ed is one of our junior Sport Coaches and works along side other coaches. Ed is a very talented Go Karting Specialist and avid fan of F1.

 

 

Alex - has been part of the Sporting Start family since 2011 when Sporting Start was founded. In 2011 Alex was introduced to hockey by Sporting Start and since then he has gone on to win national titles in the sport. More recently in 2020 Alex joined the staff team as a Sport Coach. When he is not coaching sport, Alex is currently studying at Nottingham University for a degree.