Julie originally set out to work in social work but in her first year at university and through her love of playing sport, she had a change of heart and subsequently a change of course. This was when she first connected to a passion and belief that sport and physical activity was not just intrinsically a brilliant way for people to spend time, but it also had the power to change lives. Her course leaders played their part, encouraging their students to have an enquiring mind, and showing how coaching and mentoring can support personal growth and development.
The passion has never left, and she has worked in the physical activity and sports sector her whole career. In leisure facilities, sports development and latterly in one of the networks 43 Active Partnerships. She has worked in the private, public and voluntary sectors, developing her leadership experience cross-sector. She also forged creative partnerships across Culture, Media and Sport in a 6-month secondment to Culture Southeast. She is committed to developing strong relationships with people and creating great conditions and opportunities for collaboration. Whilst not always the easiest road to travel, she believes that if we are going to understand the complexities of inactivity and inequalities, and facilitate change, we have to identify the bold leaders and the organisations that can help to do this. Very recently, this has led to a new collaboration in her Active Partnership area, joining forces with the arts and culture sector in the New Forest who share a passion for creating happier and healthier communities. They are exploring how arts and culture can fuse with physical activity to engage new audiences and participants in both sectors.
Julie is a squash, racket ball and padel tennis player as well as an occasional tennis and table tennis player. In fact, put a bat or racquet in her hand and she’ll happily chase a ball around. When she’s not doing these things, you’ll find her volunteering in one capacity or another. She has been a school governor for over 20 years, and at different points a team manager, a team captain, a club secretary, and a general helper.
Start Date: May 2023