Lynne Fernquest – CEO Lynne Fernquest became Bath Rugby Foundation’s first CEO in July 2017 in preparation for the charity’s 15th year working with vulnerable children and young people in B&NES. Expand Lynne is a former editor-in-chief of the Bath Chronicle, Somerset Guardian and Frome Standard where she saw great success growing their online and social media presence as well as supporting the organisation’s business development. During her time at Bath News and Media she was closely involved with the city’s many charities and was perfectly-placed to understand challenges that disadvantaged young people face living in or around such an affluent city. As a board member of Bath Business Improvement District, she also made positive connections with the retail, office and hospitality sectors in the city and since joining the Foundation she has encouraged businesses to engage in a more meaningful way with the charity. “It’s not acceptable that in such a rich city so many children and young people are ill equipped for adulthood.” Since joining the Foundation she has become a member of the Stadium for Bath Operating Board and Bath Rugby’s Business Operating Board. Email Lynne
Halena Coury – Head of Fundraising Halena is our Head of Fundraising and has now been a Bath resident for over 20 years. Expand A linguist by nature, Halena speaks fluent French and lived there for several years before returning to the UK to live. She joined in 2012 and has grown the Fundraising Department through a series of excellent events, collaborative work with other charities and local agencies and Trusts and Grant work to support the award-winning programmes the charity delivers. Passionate about making Bath a better place, Halena champions the work of the charity and wants to help make a difference. “The diverse work of the charity for me is really special," she said. "Our coaches are fabulous mentors and really caring. It is wonderful to see the results they achieve often with vulnerable children and young people. I find inspiration in seeing the possibilities and thinking outside of the box around charity and charity work. "Through our fundraising I hope to highlight and support the work of our wonderful coaches and their impact. I know Bath businesses will engage with our stories, and see how Bath Rugby’s charity adds real, long lasting value in the community.” Email Halena
Caryl Thomas - Programme Development Manager A long-serving member of the Bath Rugby Foundation team who is also a long-serving international rugby player Expand Sport has been an integral part of Caryl's life and she's seen and experienced first-hand the positive impact it can make through her dual career in sports development and playing rugby internationally. Caryl's role as Programme Development and Impact Manager builds partnerships with experts to ensure Bath Rugby Foundation delivers the best support programme for the young people and prove our impact. "I'm so passionate about the work we do, the impact we make and excited by where we are heading," she said. "We are making real change to young peoples lives, to their families and building their armoury of life skills. It's all based on building trust and a sense of belonging."In her 'spare' time Caryl also plays rugby in the Tyrrell's Premiership League for Bristol Ladies and internationally for Wales. Caryl recently competed in her third World Cup in 2017 and gained her 50th international cap in the 2018 Six Nations. Email Caryl
Wayne Palmer - Events Manager Since joining the Foundation team a year ago Wayne has helped organise fundraising cycle rides, our entries in the Bath Half Marathon and the army of matchday volunteers Bath Rugby fans see at the Rec. Expand Wayne joined the Foundation as an Events Manager in 2017 after working alongside Dale on the French 400 charity bike ride in France. Having worked in event management for many years, Wayne brings a methodical & consistent approach to the team helping raise vital funds for the Foundation to carry out our work in and around Bath. Wayne said ''Joining the Foundation has been a fantastic experience. "The team that go out day after day delivering their great programmes in the community really are inspiring and that is what drives me to deliver along side the fundraising team to ensure the work is carried out for many years to come.'' Email Wayne
Mel Sartain - Foundation Senior Coach With 10 years' experience, Mel Sartain sees how sport can motivate, engage and educate. Expand A Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer with more than 10 years' experience, Mel studied at University of Gloucestershire, gaining a BSc in Sports Coaching. Having joined Bath Rugby Foundation in Summer 2018, Mel said it was a great opportunity to work for Bath Rugby Foundation to motivate, engage and educate participants by using sport. "I strongly believe if you have knowledge pass it on to others, I also believe that having played sports since I was 4 years old, builds character and confidence," she said. "My philosophy is to help create an active and healthy lifestyle for everyone regardless of age, gender, or ability." Mel currently plays football for Larkhall Ladies Athletic FC. Email Mel
Andy Smith - Foundation Coach Andy started at Bath Rugby Foundation as an apprentice and is now a Foundation Coach Expand Andy joined Bath Rugby Foundation in 2016 as an apprentice with a dodgy haircut and a quiet personality. During his time with the Foundation Andy has grown in confidence and has shown a strong desire to learn. In his year as an apprentice he went on a leadership award residential, became a Level 2 rugby coach, completed his Level 2 Multi Skills Course and (in his own words) finally got himself a decent haircut. "The Foundation has been an awesome experience so far. Coming in as an apprentice I knew what the Foundation did but didn’t realise how much of an impact we actually made. Every session we finish everyone leaves with a massive smile or laughing and that’s what I enjoy the most about this job. Being only 19 I’ve still got a lot to learn and that I’m really excited about - the next few years at the Foundation look really positive and I’m glad to be a part of it." After his year as an apprentice he was offered a full-time job and has gone from strength to strength. ‘My favourite programme is the HITZ course. Most of the participants are only a few years younger than me and some of them being older so can relate really well to them and have a good laugh’ Outside of the Foundation Andy can be found playing rugby for his local team or showing some questionable dance moves during a night out. Email Andy
Becks Toan - Foundation Senior Coach Becks is a shining example of how the Foundation changes lives. Expand Growing up in Liverpool, Becks first sport love was kicking a round ball and there was only one team to support in the city… and they wear red. Her love for rugby started when she was a teenager from watching on the tv or playing a little at school and after moving south there was only one rugby team for her to support. Becks is herself a perfect example of how Bath Rugby Foundation has a life-changing impact on people. She was unemployed for a number of years before taking part in a Foundation programme Get Active into Work. After completing the programme she started to volunteer with the Foundation in a number of their different programmes. Now a full-time Senior Coach with the Foundation her understanding and personal experience means she is fully committed and has a passion for everything the Foundation does. Becks believes in the power of sport and the impact it can have on people’s lives. She has a real passion for working with people who have special educational needs or disabilities. "When coaching I want to tackle any barriers facing our participants - often this is just that they think they can’t do it. By smashing this barrier it creates a memory which has huge lasting impact for individuals." Email Becks
Dale Hattey – Events Manager Dale joined the Foundation as an Events Manager in 2017 after working on a charity bike ride in France for us. Expand After the French 400 cycle ride, Dale was so impressed with what the charity was doing for the young people of Bath and the surrounding area, he stayed! Having worked in the charity events sector for many years all over the UK, Dale brings a fresh approach to the team helping raise vital funds for the Foundation to carry out their work. "It has been a very exciting time to join the Bath Rugby Foundation, with the appointment of our new CEO, Lynne, the move to the Rec and the redevelopment plans all culminating in fantastic times ahead for us. "Bring it on!" Dale is currently organising the Rec Sleep Out, which will see money raised to tackle the issue of youth homelessness. Email Dale
David Trick - Corporate Fundraiser David Trick is Bath Rugby Club President and a fundraiser at Bath Rugby Foundation. Expand Tricky represented England at every level, from under-16’s through to International and joined Bath in 1978 whilst still at school. He played almost three hundred games, scoring 191 tries. He toured Argentina and South Africa with the England team and played twelve games (scoring eleven tries) between 1980 and 1986. Now, Tricky is a keen cyclist and helps to organise a number of fundraising events in aid of the Foundation including this year's Giro di Toscana and next year's Ride Mallorca. Tricky is also the lead is creating the 1st XV, Bath Rugby Foundation's new fundraising club. Email Tricky
Jonno Wood - Education Officer A former teacher who has competed in mountain biking all over the world, has a masters degree in physics and once reached the final of a prize fight Expand Jonathan Wood - or Jonno as he'll be known from here on - joined Bath Rugby Foundation in Summer 2018 to lead our charity's education programmes. It is fair to say Jonno brings an amazing teaching knowledge, developed from a wide range or experiences to the role. A keen Downhill mountain biker, which took him all over the world, he was privileged to ride with his heroes on some of the world’s toughest tracks, which taught him the importance of mindset and attitude to learning. After living in New Zealand riding bikes he decided to become a teacher. He said: "This was the 'calling'. I really enjoying working with pupils that exhibit behavioural issues and saw success with these classes." While teaching Jonno was responsible for an intervention programme for year 11 behaviour class to help increase engagement across the school. " I want to bring this passion together with a sporting background to give young people that find themselves in challenging situations through a mere roll of the dice new opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise get. The aim is to help them build the skills access the wonderful things that school offers already." Facts about Jonno: Once took part in a 12-hour bike marathon Rugby helped him get through being bullied at school Came in the top 6 at the Welsh National downhill mountain biking championships He has ridden in NZ, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Andora, Spain. He has surfed in Africa, Spain and UK He once reached the final of a prize fight before suffering a dislocated jaw He has a masters in Physics – helping characterise a telescope looking to investigate Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Email Jonno
Dan Hine - Inclusion Officer Our Inclusion guru is dedicated to giving everyone an opportunity in life and has an equal passion for rugby and musicals..... and a habit of breaking bones Expand Dan joined Bath Rugby Foundation in 2017 as Inclusion Officer following a similar role with the Sport England Funded, London Youth Rowing. During his time with the Foundation, Dan has had a strong desire to develop each programme to offer as many sporting opportunities to underrepresented groups as possible. Dan started off being a sports coach in BANES for various sporting organisations including Bath City FC and Team Bath, as well as enjoying two years working as a soccer camp director in America where he lived with the monkey from Pirates of the Caribbean! Apart from constantly being broken, Dan’s sporting passion has always been rugby from being a season ticket holder at Bath from the age of 10 to now getting the opportunity to introduce as many young people to the game as possible. Playing wise, he started out watching Joe Aygul as a replacement prop to having played alongside him at fly half this year. Away from rugby, he enjoys a round of golf, a bit of sightseeing and the odd musical or two. There have been many highlights of his time so far at BRF but the progression of the Walcot Warriors will live long in the memory from starting out as a multi directional touch team to playing competitive contact fixtures across the country! Email Dan
Joe Aygul - Employability Officer Joe has always been inspired by Bath Rugby. Growing up locally and playing the sport, his passion for rugby came at a young age. Expand Joe has always been inspired by Bath Rugby. Growing up locally and playing the sport, his passion for the sport came at a young age. He joined the Foundation in 2012 as a coaching apprentice and quickly scaled the ranks as a fully qualified Level 2 Coach in Rugby Union and Multi Skills. Joe currently play for his local rugby club and he is the lead deliverer of the Bath Rugby Foundation’s Employability projects. "I joined the Foundation because I relate to the nature of its work," Joe said. "It’s a real pleasure to be able to work in my community, helping people to engage and achieve through sport and education. Our inclusion work has a particular place in my heart, as my little brother is autistic and suffers from anxiety. Although there have been difficult times, he always makes me laugh and helps me unwind. He inspires me to be the happiest person I can be and to always be proactive "My role is to engage young people and guide them back into employment, training or education using sport as a tool. I aim to improve a young person’s confidence, social skills and employability skills and give them the opportunity to go on and shine in whatever they love doing. "I put together the enrichment and make the course as exciting as possible adding in content such as fitness first, water parks, battle archery, paintball and sport at the beach. "My aim is to be considered one of the leading community coaches in the country. Inspiring others to follow my path and help create a happier and healthier community in the process." Email Joe
Alex Brown - Marketing and Communications Manager An experienced journalist, Alex joined Bath Rugby Foundation from the Bath Chronicle, where he had regularly used his weekly column to discuss many of the social issues the Foundation seeks to tackle. Expand Coming from a Welsh, rugby loving family, Alex’s passion for the sport is unsurprising. A second row who played for Kettering RFC (“The world’s finest rugby club” according to Alex) and Taibach RFC after (whisper it) coming through Northampton Saints’ academy system, where he experienced an U19 victory at Lambridge and then an U21 “stuffing” on the Rec. “Bath Rugby Foundation is a wonderful charity that looks to shine a light on the issues that many people here in Bath do not realise exist, such as poverty and inactivity,” Alex said. “The fact that one in five children in Bath live in poverty is unacceptable in 2018. “Our coaches are doing a remarkable job in helping young people who are not being given the same chances as others who live just a short distance away.” Email Alex
Calvin Ellis - Data Assistant Data assistant, artist and rugby player, Calvin Ellis helps the Foundation office tick Expand Any information heading into Bath Rugby Foundation in the form of paperwork finds its way to Calvin who helps the Foundation run like a well-oiled machine by putting it up on to various systems. I am from Bath but have lived in Peasedown St John for a majority of my life. When he's not keeping the Foundation's shared system in good order Calvin is rarely far away from his pen, pencil, marker, paintbrush or spray can. He said: "I really enjoy artwork and I’m often looking for inspiration. So, if my head is down with a sketch book in hand it often ends well after a short time." As well as helping in the Foundation office, Calvin has first-hand experience of the Foundation's programmes, playing for the Walcot Warriors Mixed Ability rugby team. He said: "I did take a break from it from about the middle of last season. However, I have made a return to it for the season ahead. I am just looking to make the most of it while I can."
Curtis Arber - Foundation Senior Coach The Foundation's latest addition to the coaching team believes youngsters learn to their potential when they are smiling Expand Curtis Arber joined the Bath Rugby Foundation team in September 2018, quickly fitting in with his enthusiasm for coaching and his desire to make everyone smile - programme participant and colleagues alike. It is something that Curtis believes is vital to coaching success. "I believe that enjoyment is the key factor when trying to engage with individuals," he said. "If a participant has a smile on their face they are learning to their full potential." A rugby fan, but his allegiances are not too close to his current home. (In fact they are far closer to the hometown of Foundation CEO, Lynne Fernquest.)"I am a massive fan on the Ospreys because as a child growing up I wanted to be just like Shane Williams (the greatest winger ever). I would watch the game on the weekend and then try and mirror the way he played during my school games. "After sixth form I went to the University of South Wales to study Rugby Coaching and Performance where I had the three best years of my life, meeting new people and being independent. I was never far away from a rugby pitch playing rugby throughout my time at university, except when I was more broken than Dan Hine (currently nursing a second broken hand of the year) which is hard to believe!"During my time at university I was on placement at the Cardiff Blues community department where I found my love for coaching in a community environment and making each session as fun as possible to try and encourage the kids to take up rugby or keep active within any sport." Email Curtis
Jade Whale - Apprentice Jade joined the coaching team in October, having previously being a participant at the Foundation's HITZ Learning Academy Expand Jade recently joined the coaching team, but has been a regular fixture at the Foundation for over a year. Having left school in 2017, Jade joined the HITZ Learning Academy and quickly emerged as a young leader with huge potential. She then started volunteering with Bath Rugby Foundation two months in which she said ‘increased her confidence and leadership skills’. Jade has a sporting background having played football for both Westbury Youth FC and Trowbridge Town ladies in her school years. Before Jade joined the HITZ Learning Academy Jade admits that she "had no interest in rugby and didn’t want anything to do with it" but after participating in a few rugby sessions she started to get the hang of the game and became more interested in it. She now plays for Bath Rugby Ladies scoring two tries on her debut for the 2nd XV. During the time volunteering with the Foundation she has achieved many things such as being able to coach tennis with a tennis coach and learn new skills from her. In April Jade's image appeared on the limited-edition Bath Rugby shirts the players wore at The Clash. She was selected to be a part of the Bath Rugby Foundation XV due to her outstanding success as a HITZ student. Read more about Jade's experience with Bath Rugby Foundation here. Email Jade
Ollie Ford - Apprentice Apprentice Ollie Ford joined Bath Rugby Foundation in October, taking his first steps onto the coaching ladder Expand Ollie was born in a small village just outside Bath called Midford where he played rugby with other village youngsters - cutting down dead trees and make them into rugby posts. He started playing rugby at the age of five, regularly watch Bath Rugby at the Rec and signed up to play for Bath Rugby’s youth team. Before starting at Bath Rugby Foundation he went travelling to the Southern Hemisphere, taking in New Zealand, Australia, Bali and Thailand. New Zealand was his favourite country, mainly because of all the rugby culture that exists in All Black territory. Ollie use to play Cricket and Tennis during the summer and Rugby during the winter. "I have always been interested in teaching and I think that is because my mum is a special needs teacher. I've been brought up with teaching. "Since I started at Bath Rugby Foundation, I've really enjoyed meeting and coaching the different groups of young people we are working with." Email Ollie