Our Team

ROB SHERWOOD

Director

Since an early age, I have always loved sports. Having represented my county at football, rugby and cricket I like to think I have played a few sports to a good standard. Whilst completing my A-Levels I worked for Southampton Football Club Development Centre and Community Programme.

At 18 I went to Manchester University to study Sport and Exercise receiving a BSc First Class Honours. After University I started collecting as many coaching qualifications as possible including football, fencing, gymnastics, tag rugby, kwik cricket, basketball, tennis and hockey. I quickly noticed a gap in the market for high-quality Physical Education at Primary Schools and reliable childcare for parents during the school holidays.

Having approached a few local primary schools I quickly learnt the need for sports clubs at schools was at a premium, within 3 months I was running around 10 clubs with over 150 children attending every week. More importantly, I saw the joy in the children’s faces and the progression they quickly made from my teaching. As Get Active has expanded I have moved away from all coaching and focused on expanding the products we offer as well as building the business. I am proud to say I am a Director of a young enterprising business with a fantastic team.

SHAUN GRANT

Director

Whether I was playing it, watching it or talking about it; sports have always been something that I’ve loved – even from an early age. In particular, football and swimming were two activities that I took an instant liking too, but it was football that I decided to pursue.

As a keen football enthusiast, I found myself representing my local borough in regional leagues as well as playing for a variety of different teams across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. But my love of the game went beyond just playing it and I began to develop my knowledge of the game through the Football Education Development Opportunity (FEDO) scheme at East Berkshire College, which has strong links to Hayes FC. Whilst completing my BTEC National Diploma in Sports Science, I worked for a selection of Sports Centres, Community Programmes and Football Clubs across Berkshire including Reading and Crystal Palace at Elite Centres.

After which, I went on to study Business Management and Football Studies at Bucks New University where I received a Second-Class Honours. During my final year of university, I started ‘Sports Idol’ – my first sports coaching company. I wanted to create a business that allowed children to develop their passion for a variety of sports; especially sports that weren’t easily accessible to them. We worked closely with 20 schools within Slough to deliver 75 clubs that developed children’s sporting talents and abilities.

The company quickly became a force within the area and a rebrand to ‘Get Active’ has seen the company take on new heights by providing affordable childcare across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. As the company has grown, so has my role from a Sports Coach to training new staff, brand development, business development, recruitment and keeping the company competitive in all aspects. I’m delighted with all of Get Active’s achievements and know that it could not have been done without a great team behind me.

Ryan White

Director

From an early age I have always had an interest and passion for sports. An early interest developed when helping my younger brothers and friends in football.

When I am able to pass on any knowledge I have gained and a player shows improvement it highlights the main reason I started coaching.I am a qualified teacher currently teaching at a primary school.

My coaching pathway started as a coach at Wycombe Wanderers FC, from here I developed a taste to further my coaching and education experience.

I moved to New Jersey, USA where I progressed through a soccer coaching academy and eventually oversaw the New York office for the multi sports and soccer programmes. I returned to the UK to undertake a degree in Applied Sports Science whilst helping to setup Get Active Sports. 

ASHLEY MITCHELL

Operations Manager

I have worked with Get Active since 2012, I used to play for Reading Academy from the age of 8 until I was 18 where I started working with children and helping them learn many various sporting skills. 

I started off as a part-time Coach and progressed my way up to Operations Manager as well as looking after Extra Curriculum Activities.

I pride myself in creating the best environment possible where children can learn new skills as well as enjoying their time throughout their sporting journeys. 

Sophie IRELAND

Office Manager (Maternity Leave until June 2023)

I joined the Get Active Sports family in August 2019 and felt like I was welcomed into a very hard working and caring team. Each one of us is a team player and we are all positive, dedicated people who love our jobs and enjoy seeing the difference our provisions make to the lives of many children and parents. 

As Office Manager, most of my role includes taking care of my account schools and making sure they have everything they need, as well as assisting with financial aspects of the business. Based in our Head Office, I’m always around to speak to should parents/guardians have any enquiries or need any support.

Get Active is a reliable and dedicated provision and we all believe in putting 110% effort into everything we do. Keep an eye on all of our social media pages to see what we’re up to! 

Shannon KEOHANE

Active Care & Holiday Camp Co Ordinator

I first started working for Get Active part time in 2013 as a Sports Coach whilst studying BTEC in Sport, a football coaching course and a Level 2 fitness instructing qualification at sixth form. After this I joined the apprenticeship programme with Get Active, where I quickly gained more qualifications; including a BTEC and level 1 & 2 in PE and School Sport. I was then offered a full time role leading PPA, Afterschool clubs and supervising a holiday camp. I was also involved behind the scenes in organising resources and equipment ready for holiday camps.

In 2017, I decided to chase the sun to Turkey, working at a holiday village for 6 months each time over a 2 year period. This was an incredible adventure for me; I was able to gain new experiences and ideas along the way and lead activities for guests of all ages.

Upon my return in 2019, I was offered the role as Active Care & Holiday Camp co-ordinator and I am so glad that I accepted. My day generally consists of brainstorming crazy ideas, themes, craft activities and sports for the products we offer and then organising everything involved to make them happen. I am dedicated to ensuring I am providing the best possible activities for the children who use our clubs so they have an enjoyable time with us!

I am proud to work for Get Active; the team I work with really are incredible – we are just like a little family. We work so strongly as a team in everything we do, with a lot of support and respect for each other. Our days always consist of a lot of hard work, but also fun and laughter. I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with whilst heading into my 7th year at Get Active. We really are the DREAM TEAM! 

Dani Smith

Marketing Manager/Admin Support

I joined the team in July 2021 after persuing a career in property management. In 2018 I travelled Asia and thoroughly enjoyed this!

On my return, I decided to leave property management to join Get Active Sports and haven’t looked back since. My role is split between leading marketing and administration.

If you call into our office, you may speak to me and I will be more than happy to help.

Emma Whiting

Office Administrator 

Abrar Mahay

Sports Mentor/Recruitment Officer

I initially joined Get active in 2017 having worked for them as a full-time sports coach. After an incredible 2 years with the company, I chased my childhood dream of working abroad and flew myself out to the middle east where I found myself coaching for Juventus Football Club. 

I then returned the year after and had kept in touch with the team; I’m now privileged enough to re-join Get Active Sports as a Sports Mentor/Recruitment Officer 3 years later. I bring a wealth of sports coaching knowledge to the company as an effective PE specialist bringing 9 years of experience with a driven, high-achieving attitude and an award-winning career history in sports. I am massively passionate about mentoring adults and junior sports coaches to achieve their potential within the sporting industry.

It’s been a great return to Get Active, the team have been so welcoming, and it feels like I had never left!

Ollie Chalk

Assistant Operations Manager

I am a new member of Get active, having started in June 2022. I have been made to feel very welcome from day one and love working here. Prior to moving to Get Active, I had to make a big decision to move away from being a Secondary School PE Teacher and feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to take on this role. 

Ever since I was a child, I have loved playing a range of sports and thoroughly enjoy passing my enthusiasm to others. Therefore, making this role perfect for me. 

As an Assistant Operations Manager, I help with the day-to-day running of Get Active alongside Ashley Mitchell and Shannon Keohane. This may at times involve recruitment, scheduling, training staff and many more, meaning each day is different. 

Suzanne Gleave

Active Care/Holiday Camp Manager

I joined Get Active full time in 2021, having previously worked for the company as a Holiday Camp Supervisor sincce 2019.

I have 20 years experience in childcare working for schools as an LSA for SEN and more recently as a Cover Teacher in a primary school. My job role revolves around developing ideas for Holiday Camps and Active Care clubs, and ensuring the resources are in place to carry out the timetables. 

My aim is for the children that use our services to have an outstanding experience with us.