Summer of Change at Middlesex FA
This summer is looking to be a busy one at Middlesex FA as a number of our staff choose to take the next steps in their careers. Whilst we never want to see any of our team go, it is also rewarding to see them push themselves to try new challenges. It is also important to remember that with change comes a chance to grow and develop, as such we are excited to see how our team grows with a number of new roles being created at the same time as replacing our outgoing colleagues.
The changes started as Chief Executive, Leigh O’Connor announced that he had been appointed as a County FA Regional Manager working for The FA, Leigh’s new role will see him oversee the County FAs that fall in the West Region.
For more details on Leigh’s new role look at the interview we conducted with Leigh shortly after he shared the news.
Shortly after Leigh announced he was leaving us former Head of Commercial and Operations, George Wells was offered a post within a Professional Club, a challenges that sees him leave The FA/County FA life behind for the first time in 14 years having held positions at Middlesex twice, The FA & Hertfordshire FA in his time working in football to date. All at the organisation wish George well and thank him for his work with our Partners & at Rectory Park.
Later this month, our Football Development Officer (Inclusion), Lauren Mawdsley will be away from Middlesex FA to take on a new national role with Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby and will be responsible for growing the game across the country.
“Reflecting on my time at Middlesex FA, it has been a privilege to develop more opportunities for those from underrepresented groups within the game and help MFA become a more inclusive organisation.
Some of my highlights over the past few years include recovering pre-covid disability activity and creating new opportunities, supporting disabled people to enter the workforce, launching new mental health and mental wellbeing programmes, and helping Middlesex FA achieve the preliminary standard of the Equality Standard.
I would like to say a thank you to all the clubs, leagues, coaches, referees, volunteers and colleagues I have had the pleasure to work with and I look forward to seeing how the game in Middlesex continues to develop and become inclusive for all.”
We will now be recruiting for Kayleigh Saunders’ replacement as she steps up to become Chief Executive, you can find out more about this appointment from our announcement on 21st July 2022.
As we headed towarsd the end of a successful UEFA Women's EURO, we had the news that both Katie Phillipson, Head of Partipation & Development, and also Sian Osmond, Football Development Officer (Women's Recreational & Volunteering) would both be heading on to pastures new.
Katie will be leaving us later in the year to join The FA as a Regional Network Manager, whilst Sian has the incredible opportunity to move on to Coventry United Women as Assistant Coach in a full time coaching role.
In recent months we have also welcomed Andrew Perren back in the Middlesex FA team, as he left his post as Rectory Park Centre Manager to become the new Football Development Officer (Participation). Andrew himself was then replaced as Centre Manager by Natasha Cameron who many of our users will have met over the past month since she joined us. We have also welcomed in new Designated Safeguarding Officer, Rebecca Chapman into the organisation who will continue to work closely with Kayleigh as she moves into her new role.
