About the Tutors
CHRIS BIRCH
Chris qualified as a Trainer with the Directory for Social Change in 2004 and completed the FDSW tutor training programme in 2009. Chris is also a trained and experienced Facilitator and have provided training and facilitation services to a range of third and statutory sector agencies.
As a Disabled Person, Chris provides Disability Equity Training from a Social Model ‘lived experience’ perspective, and his training and facilitation sessions comprise of a variety of activities with high levels of participation and opportunities to explore issues, including practical exercises, group discussions and self-reflection.
SIMON JONES
Simon first got involved with Disability Sport in 2004 when he started volunteering for the Cardiff Celts Wheelchair Basketball Team and ended up playing for the team. He has been involved in several clubs since that time, ranging from adult multisport clubs to a junior disability football club.
Simon started working as a Disability Sport Wales Development Officer in 2007 in Merthyr Tydfil, I then moved into the same role, but in the Vale of Glamorgan in late 2009. In his spare time he is involved with coaching a disability football team in Cardiff, and tutors the UK Disability Inclusion Training workshop for FDSW, as well as Coaching Disabled Performers for sports coach UK.
ANITA KAPILA
Anita Kapila is one of the new Roving Tutors for Wales delivering the education programme for Swim Wales. She joined Swim Wales in September 2009.
Anita has been tutoring for the ASA / IOS for over 7 years and covered the North West & North -East region. Courses Anita can deliver are Teaching Aquatics Level 1 & Level 2, Adult & Child, Helpers Certificate & CPDs.
Anita then worked for the BBC as a radio producer / presenter for 8 years at BBC GMR Talk and Radio Lancashire presenting magazine programmes and news & current affairs. Anita is still involved in television appearing as an extra in a variety of programmes.
Anita joined the team of Disability Sport Wales tutors in February 2010, and delivers the UK Disability Inclusion Training workshop across Wales.
MARCUS POLITIS
Marcus is the Disability Sport Wales Development Officer for Gwynedd Council, and although Welsh with a farming background, also has Greek roots. He considers himself fortunate enough to be able to speak 3 languages and has a diverse interest in food & history.
Marcus' great interest in sport started at a young age and at 17 became a National Champion in Karate (Shukokai), and later came 2nd twice and 3rd in the mens lightweights category. At the age of 19 Marcus was the youngest member of the national squad for the senior national team. He also enjoyed playing Rugby, Football and Athletics, and represented his secondary school in 100m & 200m at county games.
For over 7 years Marcus has been involved with disability sports and has a real passion for developing new clubs. In Gwynedd the role of development officer provides a real challenge and this has kept him focused on driving forward some of the most exiting new initiatives in Disability Sports on a national level.
As well as tutoring UK Disability Inclusion Training workshops for FDSW, Marcus is also a tutor for the FAW, Sport Wales, and contributes to undergraduate modules for the SSHES programme at Bangor University.
FIONA REID
Fiona is an experienced tutor delivering workshops on behalf of Disability Sport Wales, sports coach UK, the Football Association of Wales Trust, and for the four Nations Badminton governing bodies. She comes from a higher education background, focussing on the sociology of sport and coaching; she works for Disability Sport Wales as the Education and Training Manager, and also teaches at undergraduate and post-graduate level at HE institutions in Wales and England.
Fiona has been involved with disability sport since 2000, with a specific personal interest in badminton, and currently coaches disability badminton on behalf of the Welsh Badminton Union. She has been head coach for badminton for the Special Olympics Wales squad, and for Special Olympics Great Britain at the World Games in Shanghai, 2007. She is head classifier (for players entering the Learning Disability classes) for the 4 Nations Disability Badminton events, and heavily involved with the generation of disability badminton specific coach education.
MARK RICHARDS
Mark has worked within Disability Sport since 2008 and has volunteered within sport for over ten years. He has a BSc. degree in Science and Football and has coached a successful junior football team from 1999 to 2009. Mark has also coached local senior football teams and delivered sessions for Wrexham FC’s development centre. At the moment Mark runs two disability football teams, coaches a local senior team and delivers sessions for Liverpool FC’s development centre. He also sits on the executive committee for Conwy’s local voluntary sport’s council; Sport Conwy.
Mark enjoys tutoring and is able to deliver the UK Disability Inclusion Training on behalf of FDSW, as well as delivering other workshops including sports coach UK How to Coach Disabled People in Sport, Dragon Sports Organiser Course, and Lets Walk Cymru’s Walk Leader Training.
BEV TUCKER
Bev's interest in Sport began at age 12, when she competed for the Welsh Schools and local Athletics club in Swansea, going on to win National titles at 3000m on the track and cross Country in the mid 1980's. From there she went on to study Physical Education, Sports Science and Geography at Loughborough University, working in the fields of Leisure, Recreation and Physical Education before taking up a post with Disability Sport Wales in 2001.
Her main focus has been raising participation and awareness of disability sport throughout rural Powys, which is a role she thoroughly enjoys. Her role has involved setting up multi-sport clubs, sessions for adults and children, and developing sports specific club opportunities in Football, Cricket, Wheelchair Basketball, Athletics and Bowls.
Many events have been held in Powys over the years including: Special Olympics taster days; British Blind Sports 'Have a Go' days;, The FAW National Football Festival; Powys Sailing and Kayak Angling Fun days; and more recently the South East Regional Multi-Sport Schools Festival. Bev has helped co-ordinate and promote all of these events.
Bev is also a qualified coach, holding qualifications in Athletics, Boccia, Wheelchair Basketball, Cricket, Football, Trampolining, Gymnastics, Swimming, Basketball, Hockey and Mountain Leadership .
Her involvement as a tutor began in 2007, after having already tutored for several years for sports coach UK. Bev is passionate about working with coaches and volunteers from various clubs across Mid Wales.
When not in work Bev enjoys running, Hill walking, Horse riding and supporting her family in the various sports that they pursue .
GEMMA CUTTER
Gemma is a tutor delivering the Disability Equality Training workshop for Disability Sport Wales and she also tutors the Active Young People workshop.
She comes from a higher education background specifically focusing on health and disability sport. She studied disability sport at university, during which she did work experience in that particular field, also in her home town and Tanzania as a coach and support which confirmed her interest in working within Disability Sport. She has been working for Disability Sport Wales for the past 5 years as the Disability Sport Development Officer for Ceredigion.
PAUL TAYLOR
DONNA EVANS
JO COATES-MCGRATH
TESSA CHEW