December 14, 2020

We are delighted to have three new faces join the Advisory Board bringing in fresh talent and improving the diversity of the board.

The first appointment is Sam Joughin, Director of Together We CIC based in Workington. Sam, as a group fitness instructor has worked alongside Active Cumbria to empower local communities in Allerdale and Copeland to be more active. Working with her sister Janine Ward, who is a Psychological Practitioner the team at Together We provide a wide range of fitness and mental health programmes showing people how physical activity and fitness could be used as a tool for mental and physical wellbeing.

“I believe in finding the right physical activity for every person. I am not the typical example of a fitness instructor, I have very little interest in sports, I cannot run a marathon, I struggle to run 5k! but I enjoy physical activity and what it allows me to achieve physically and mentally. I want to help support initiatives which suit all and provide input to help others get Active.”

One of the programmes that Sam has delivered on behalf of Active Cumbria is a satellite club programme in secondary schools, working with young people who no longer engage in school PE. Speaking about this programme, Sam said:

“This has been a highlight in my career. I never engaged in school PE for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I hated sports, I felt uncomfortable and unhappy in my body, and now here I am in nearly every secondary school in Copeland and Allerdale working with young people that are very similar to what I was like at that age. The young people are positively engaged and can see the value of physical activity as part of their everyday lives”.

The second appointment is Paul Kasiera, a coach with the English RFU Development Player programme with Newcastle Falcons and also with Carlisle RUFC. Paul was born in Kenya and was educated in the USA and UK. Having started his working career in The Scottish Office, Paul was drawn into the dynamism of Leisure. He has been involved in developing brands and start-ups through-out the UK and Internationally.  Paul has been based in Cumbria for over 20  years. Married to Kirsty and have 4 children.  Currently Paul is a Front Line Leader within Pirelli International in Carlisle and has PKAS Consultancy which specialises in Leisure and strategic marketing.

On speaking about tackling inequalities in sport and physical activity, one of the main drivers for Active Cumbria, Paul said: “I personally know the challenges coming from a low-income upbringing. I have faced not being able to afford the training fee or buy a pair of boots when I was a child. To some this can be the difference of a person taking part in sport - I have seen a lot of talented children and children with challenges leaving sport due to this. I would like to think we can explore and generate initiatives for this not to be a barrier.”

The third and final appointment is Nick Robinson who is Head of Sports & Team Leader for a learning disability day service and social enterprise, the Healthlands Project in Carlisle. He has 18 years of experience working with people who have learning disabilities, mental health problems or physical disabilities and has a long history of working within inclusive sports. Nick has worked with clubs such as Carlisle Wheelchair Sports Club, to organise a boccia league and tournament at the Sands Centre and has introduced sports such as Table Cricket to Carlisle Youth Zone.  Recognising the need to stay active during the pandemic Nick has also been supporting his participants with online exercise to music programme via an online platform.

Speaking on his appointment, Nick said: “I am interested in finding out about new ideas regarding sports ventures across Cumbria. I’m looking forward to finding out and working with other organisations to provide successful sports activities for a variety of social groups. I’m interested in contributing to the Advisory Board’s long term plans in relation to sports for differing social groups and gain understanding of others point of view.”

Jason Gooding, Chair of the Advisory Board said, “I am really pleased with our new appointments, they have a lot to bring to the Advisory Board and the diversity they bring is a real advantage to us in developing our new 5-year plan.”