Meet Our Team
Tommy Lowther
Founder/CEO
Tommy is an ex-service member, having served with the 1st Battalion Light Infantry, as well as serving as a veteran of the Metropolitan Police who served on the front line during the 7th July 2005 bombings in London. It is safe to say that Tommy witnessed some pretty horrific scenes during both his Military and Police careers. He has suffered from PTSD for several years which almost drove him to suicide.
Tommy recognises the position that both he and many other Veterans find themselves in, having trouble with what most would consider "day-to-day tasks". Having won his own battle and addressing PTSD with a positive attitude, he became aware of the shocking statistics of those not so fortunate, and through his own involvement in sport, the idea of Sporting Force was born.
Jacqui Nicholson
Operations Executive
Jacqui is proud to come from tri-service roots with many members of her immediate family who have served their country.
With a proven record in the 3rd Sector Jacqui has returned to Sporting Force as the charity starts an expansion programme. Her experience of transformational change management and upscaling both businesses and charities will help Sporting Force move forward and grow.
Jacqui’s corporate background in banking, insurance and education ensures that the charity will run with a steady hand on the tiller.
Jacqui’s passion to help the armed forces community comes from her first hand experience of the affects that military life have on both the veterans and their families.
“Going forward our Forces Families programme will anticipate families’ needs and connects them to resources, we will support them emotionally, socially, developmentally, physically to support and strengthen their mental wellbeing. Supporting families can take many forms. Support can range from providing informal opportunities for families to meet to referring families for crisis intervention. Our Dandelion program is a natural place where families can get the help they need to address the risks and stressors in their lives so they can cope and parent more effectively. Connection to a comprehensive system of support promotes family well-being, which in turn leads to family well-doing.”
Martin Wing
Chair of Trustees
David Henry
Veteran Support Officer
David is an 11-year veteran who served with the 2nd Battalion Light Infantry and 3 Rifles and now works as our Veteran Support Officer. He served in some very hostile environments including Iraq and Sierra Leone as well as tours of Northern Ireland and Kosovo, he was a Sniper for the majority of his career but also spent time with the elite Reconnaissance Platoon.
After serving in the Army David went on to have a successful career within the Private Security industry working for the US Government however his time was cut short through injury. David has spoken about his struggles with PTSD, and he is passionate about helping other Veterans in similar positions to himself. David is a vital asset to Sporting Force as his first-hand experience will go a long way in helping our beneficiaries in similar circumstances. David says "It's a real privilege to work for such an amazing Charity, I can't wait to get stuck in"
Craig Robinson
Wellbeing Coach and Events Co-Ordinator
Craig served as a Systems and Telecommunications Operator. He represented the Army at Rugby union and played several sports at high levels during his time in the forces. He spent best part of 10 years rebuilding his body and mind after being medically discharged from the army following a parachute accident.
Craig embraces all sports and has a wide range of coaching and instructor qualifications. He comes to Sporting Force to share his love of sports, promoting the physical and mental benefits of exercising with the veterans and their families. Craig is an ardent advocate to remove barriers and stigma surrounding mental health.
“Healthy body helps keep a healthy mind. Exercising saved my life and kept me going through life’s hurdles that we all invariably face. I firmly believe that there is a sport or activity for everyone that they will be able to take part in, enjoy and reap both the physical and psychological benefits of taking part. Find the interest, create the environment, build the skills and the confidence and then be patient and work together to achieve the long term goal. This is something that I have helped implement in my previous role creating a huge variety of activities for the veteran community to take part in. I love helping veterans, the veteran’s families, the wider communities and generally promoting physical and mental well-being.”
Owen Bainbridge
Ambassador
Sporting Force is proud to announce the signing of our first ambassador – Owen Bainbridge.
Professional footballer Owen was born partially sighted but lost his vision completely when he was seven years old. Owen was part of the Great Britain team that won silver at the finals of the ISBA World Games held in Seoul in May 2015.
Owen, 25, has won 35 caps playing for England, and is now in training for the IBSA Blind Football European Championships, which are to be held in August. Owen is excited to be part of Sporting Force and is looking forward to helping promote its mission. You can find him on Twitter at @OwenBainbridge3.
Barrie Griffiths, Alwyn Williams and Mark Taylor
Ambassadors
These 3 guys are the friendly faces you will see if you attend a Tottenham Hotspur match with us. All three are veterans and great at supporting fellow veterans and their families. They give their time voluntarily and they are indispensable to our work.
Howard Wilkinson
Patron
Howard is a legend in the football community, his successful managerial career began at Notts County. Howard went on to manage many other clubs, including Leeds United, where he won the First Division Championship in 1992, he remains the last English manager to win the top-flight league in England.
The knowledge, experience and guidance he will bring to Sporting Force, makes him the ideal Patron.
Brett Lambert
Occupational Therapist
We are delighted to welcome Brett Lambert to the charity, Brett is a Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at the University of Sunderland. Brett will be involved with the project with a focus on enabling people to participate, particularly where barriers exist that may otherwise prevent veterans, their families and supporters from engaging.