Here’s a chance to find out a little bit more about the staff members that work here at Sporting Chance
Gareth Brenton
Head Teacher
MARC INGLES
Head of Sport
LYDIA REES
Teacher
DEON SMITH
Resilience & Inclusion Mentor
After training in Birmingham, Gareth has worked in education in teaching and leadership roles for 21 years.
Gareth is a Newport County season ticket holder and lives in Newport with his wife and two children.
Gareth has developed a range of professional experiences in education and theatre, supporting some of the most vulnerable young people in society.
Gareth is a parent governor at Newport High School and has used his own personal experiences to support and motivate him on his journey towards educational leadership roles.
Gareth is proud to be the headteacher of Sport Chance and looks forward to the challenges and successes ahead.
Marc is a hard working passionate coach who has worked with a wide variety of age groups and strive to develop individuals . He has managed teams of 20 players ensuring each player has the opportunity to develop and fulfil their sporting and life ambitions. A highly motivated individual who strives to continually improve by regularly furthering his knowledge in different areas of sport.
Marc regularly supports Newport County across all age groups through their academy and shadow squads picking up sessions where needed as well as working with the dedicated age groups he is responsible in overseeing.
Marc brings experience, enthusiasm, structure and creativity and an appetite to succeed. He possess excellent communication and man-management skills which is evident to see in all sessions.
Marc’s personal experiences in sport enable him to engage with participants whatever their age and ability and give them the skills and opportunities to develop and fulfil their playing and coaching ambitions.
He is committed, passionate and driven to ensure all his work is to a high standard and people have the best sporting and high quality experiences that are available for them.
Marc has had the opportunity to apply his learning gained on the UEFA courses and experience from the various academies coached at.
Lydia is a qualified teacher, although only into the early years of her career Lydia has vast experience teaching KS2-KS5 in a variety of subjects.
Lydia’s journey began after graduating as a professional musician from the Academy of Contemporary Music (London) in 2019, and it was during the first lockdown of 2020 she decided to take the plunge into teaching.
Lydia completed her training in Essex as a music teacher and secured her first full-time teaching position in a secondary school in Kent.
More recently, Lydia has returned to her hometown of Newport and sought more of a specialist and rewarding route, finding her knack for working with children with additional needs as a teacher in a local PRU. She is a passionate and enthusiastic member of the team and will always strive to be the best for our learners; she believes that every child deserves an equal chance of an excellent education.
Deon has previously played rugby at a professional level and has also represented Wales at u18 and u20 level. It is his motivation and drive that enables him to successfully empathise and support our young learners.
Deon has worked with young people for the past 5 years in a range of different environments. This includes coaching, mentoring and working as a teaching assistant
Gareth Brenton
Head Teacher
After training in Birmingham, Gareth has worked in education in teaching and leadership roles for 21 years.
Gareth is a Newport County season ticket holder and lives in Newport with his wife and two children.
Gareth has developed a range of professional experiences in education and theatre, supporting some of the most vulnerable young people in society.
Gareth is a parent governor at Newport High School and has used his own personal experiences to support and motivate him on his journey towards educational leadership roles.
Gareth is proud to be the headteacher of Sport Chance and looks forward to the challenges and successes ahead.
MARC INGLES
Head of Sport
Marc is a hard working passionate coach who has worked with a wide variety of age groups and strive to develop individuals . He has managed teams of 20 players ensuring each player has the opportunity to develop and fulfil their sporting and life ambitions. A highly motivated individual who strives to continually improve by regularly furthering his knowledge in different areas of sport.
Marc regularly supports Newport County across all age groups through their academy and shadow squads picking up sessions where needed as well as working with the dedicated age groups he is responsible in overseeing.
Marc brings experience, enthusiasm, structure and creativity and an appetite to succeed. He possess excellent communication and man-management skills which is evident to see in all sessions.
Marc’s personal experiences in sport enable him to engage with participants whatever their age and ability and give them the skills and opportunities to develop and fulfil their playing and coaching ambitions.
He is committed, passionate and driven to ensure all his work is to a high standard and people have the best sporting and high quality experiences that are available for them.
Marc has had the opportunity to apply his learning gained on the UEFA courses and experience from the various academies coached at.
LYDIA REES
Teacher
Lydia is a qualified teacher, although only into the early years of her career Lydia has vast experience teaching KS2-KS5 in a variety of subjects.
Lydia’s journey began after graduating as a professional musician from the Academy of Contemporary Music (London) in 2019, and it was during the first lockdown of 2020 she decided to take the plunge into teaching.
Lydia completed her training in Essex as a music teacher and secured her first full-time teaching position in a secondary school in Kent.
More recently, Lydia has returned to her hometown of Newport and sought more of a specialist and rewarding route, finding her knack for working with children with additional needs as a teacher in a local PRU. She is a passionate and enthusiastic member of the team and will always strive to be the best for our learners; she believes that every child deserves an equal chance of an excellent education.
DEON SMITH
Resilience & Inclusion Mentor
Deon has previously played rugby at a professional level and has also represented Wales at u18 and u20 level. It is his motivation and drive that enables him to successfully empathise and support our young learners.
Deon has worked with young people for the past 5 years in a range of different environments. This includes coaching, mentoring and working as a teaching assistant
CALLAM MORRIS
Pastoral Lead
SONNY LEWIS
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
CHLOE JONES
Administrative Assistant
MICHAELA BUTLER
Learning Support Assistant
Callam has represented Wales at u16 & u18 level as an elite amateur golfer. As well as this Callam has coached young people to a high level motivating them to love sport.
Callam has the drive to succeed in everything he does to help others along the way.
Prior to joining the Sporting Chance team, Callam was a PE assistant in a secondary school combining this role as well as being a self-employed personal trainer.
Callam has a huge passion for sport and educating young people to lead a happy, healthy lifestyle.
Sonny has played professional football at a high level representing Newport County at Club level, whilst also representing Wales at U15 / U16 & U17 youth level.
As well as playing, Sonny also has his ‘C’ Coaching License with experience of coaching at youth level, utilising his skills to support, encourage and develop young learners, which he hopes will provide a strong platform with the learners at Sporting Chance.
Chloe has 3 years of administrative experience, she has worked in multiple sectors, taking time out from her trained profession during the pandemic to give back, Chloe took a job in the care sector which opened her eyes and gave her new confidence and skills. Now working at Sporting Chance Chloe can combine her love for helping others with her trained profession. Chloe brings a bubbly personality and a can-do attitude to Sporting chance as a central cog to the team.
Michaela has a huge passion for all sports, especially football she plays for a local women’s team and will often go to watch any live football match that are on and thrives in being part of a team.
Michaela has previously worked with young people in different sectors such as coaching, working as a teaching assistant and a cover supervisor.
Prior joining Sporting Chance Michaela worked closely with young adults with BESD and she hopes it will help encourage the young learners to be the best that they can be.
CALLAM MORRIS
Pastoral Lead
Callam has represented Wales at u16 & u18 level as an elite amateur golfer. As well as this Callam has coached young people to a high level motivating them to love sport.
Callam has the drive to succeed in everything he does to help others along the way.
Prior to joining the Sporting Chance team, Callam was a PE assistant in a secondary school combining this role as well as being a self-employed personal trainer.
Callam has a huge passion for sport and educating young people to lead a happy, healthy lifestyle.
SONNY LEWIS
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Sonny has played professional football at a high level representing Newport County at Club level, whilst also representing Wales at U15 / U16 & U17 youth level.
As well as playing, Sonny also has his ‘C’ Coaching License with experience of coaching at youth level, utilising his skills to support, encourage and develop young learners, which he hopes will provide a strong platform with the learners at Sporting Chance.
CHLOE JONES
Administrative Assistant
Chloe has 3 years of administrative experience, she has worked in multiple sectors, taking time out from her trained profession during the pandemic to give back, Chloe took a job in the care sector which opened her eyes and gave her new confidence and skills. Now working at Sporting Chance Chloe can combine her love for helping others with her trained profession. Chloe brings a bubbly personality and a can-do attitude to Sporting chance as a central cog to the team.
MICHAELA BUTLER
Learning Support Assistant
Michaela has a huge passion for all sports, especially football she plays for a local women’s team and will often go to watch any live football match that are on and thrives in being part of a team.
Michaela has previously worked with young people in different sectors such as coaching, working as a teaching assistant and a cover supervisor.
Prior joining Sporting Chance Michaela worked closely with young adults with BESD and she hopes it will help encourage the young learners to be the best that they can be.
MANAGEMENT BOARD
We know that great schools need great teachers, and great teachers in turn need skilled school leaders who can create the conditions within a school that enable teachers to help their students learn and achieve.
MARK SMITH
Acting Chairperson
PAUL PARRY
Proprietor & Founder
SAMANTHA PARRY
Managing Director & D.S.L
MARTINE SMITH
Coming soon...
What drew me to Sporting Chance is its mission and strategy, which states every young person should have the opportunity to achieve and succeed no matter what life circumstances surround them.
I have been in Education for 22 years and I am passionate about how education can transform the lives of young people. It is a privilege to work with young people and see them develop and succeed. I also, like sporting chance, believe that every young person should be supported to achieve their own success and acquire the knowledge and skills to become successful contributing members of the community. Every young person needs a champion or champions behind them to unlock the potential they have.
Chair Contact Details
Paul is the Founder of Sporting Chance.
A former Cardiff City and Wales international, having made over 490 professional appearances. Paul’s career started at Hereford United, by the time Paul was 23 he had made the big step up to Championship level with Cardiff City. Here Paul enjoyed his best years which saw him play in the 2008 FA Cup Final and gain 12 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Paul also had spells at Preston North End and Shrewsbury Town, before calling time on a 17 year playing career.
Having created the facility that is the Sporting Chance school, Paul acts in an Ambassador role for the pupils. With sport being an integral part in his life, this passion allows him to reinforce how sport can play a huge part with the pupils to engage in their education.
Samantha left university with a BSc (hons) Science, health, exercise and Sport. Sport and fitness has always been a passion and a huge part of life, she was lucky to be able to reach a good level whilst young in Gymnastics, kickboxing and netball.
After finishing university Samantha went on to work within the physiotherapy department at Cardiff City Football Club assisting their first team. Whilst doing this , as a British Gymnastics qualified artistic coach, she also taught and organised gymnastics across many different schools across Cardiff and Newport.
This was when Samantha realised her passion was for working in schools enhancing the wellbeing and mental health of children using sport as a tool. Samantha went on to gain qualifications in education but focused her time on safeguarding , wellbeing and counselling. Samantha is now the safeguarding and child protection officer at Sporting Chance where she works closely with both pupils and their families to enhance their wellbeing and emotional needs, giving them every opportunity to get the best they can out of life. Samantha believes every child deserves the best chance in life without discrimination. Education should be a safe place, a place to be yourself. Every child deserves to be heard and to be happy.
Coming soon…
MARK SMITH
Acting Chairperson
What drew me to Sporting Chance is its mission and strategy, which states every young person should have the opportunity to achieve and succeed no matter what life circumstances surround them.
I have been in Education for 22 years and I am passionate about how education can transform the lives of young people. It is a privilege to work with young people and see them develop and succeed. I also, like sporting chance, believe that every young person should be supported to achieve their own success and acquire the knowledge and skills to become successful contributing members of the community. Every young person needs a champion or champions behind them to unlock the potential they have.
Chair Contact Details
PAUL PARRY
Proprietor & Founder
Paul is the Founder of Sporting Chance.
A former Cardiff City and Wales international, having made over 490 professional appearances. Paul’s career started at Hereford United, by the time Paul was 23 he had made the big step up to Championship level with Cardiff City. Here Paul enjoyed his best years which saw him play in the 2008 FA Cup Final and gain 12 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Paul also had spells at Preston North End and Shrewsbury Town, before calling time on a 17 year playing career.
Having created the facility that is the Sporting Chance school, Paul acts in an Ambassador role for the pupils. With sport being an integral part in his life, this passion allows him to reinforce how sport can play a huge part with the pupils to engage in their education.
SAMANTHA PARRY
Managing Director & D.S.L
Samantha left university with a BSc (hons) Science, health, exercise and Sport. Sport and fitness has always been a passion and a huge part of life, she was lucky to be able to reach a good level whilst young in Gymnastics, kickboxing and netball.
After finishing university Samantha went on to work within the physiotherapy department at Cardiff City Football Club assisting their first team. Whilst doing this , as a British Gymnastics qualified artistic coach, she also taught and organised gymnastics across many different schools across Cardiff and Newport.
This was when Samantha realised her passion was for working in schools enhancing the wellbeing and mental health of children using sport as a tool. Samantha went on to gain qualifications in education but focused her time on safeguarding , wellbeing and counselling. Samantha is now the safeguarding and child protection officer at Sporting Chance where she works closely with both pupils and their families to enhance their wellbeing and emotional needs, giving them every opportunity to get the best they can out of life. Samantha believes every child deserves the best chance in life without discrimination. Education should be a safe place, a place to be yourself. Every child deserves to be heard and to be happy.