蚂蚁福利导航 Sport

With a clear focus on student experience and performance excellence the team supports sport at every level through worldleading coaching, developing outstanding student experiences, state of the art facilities and superb events. All this work is towards one clear goal, to create a sporting experience so positive it is life shaping.

Senior Leadership Team

Headshot of Rich Wheater

Richard Wheater, Director of Sport

The Director of Sport role is responsible for leading 蚂蚁福利导航 Sport, which manages the non-academic element of sport at 蚂蚁福利导航, such as the many sporting facilities across campus, engaging a multitude of sports and commercial partners, developing the next generation of the sports workforce, and managing both elite sport and recreational sports offerings, such as performance athletes and the Athletic Union, which has approximately 5,500 members.

Richard graduated from Cambridge with an MA in History and Philosophy of Science and a master's in business administration (MBA). He is a former British Army Officer, having served with the Royal Engineers.

He has extensive experience in the sector, having worked in athletics for a number of years holding positions such as Head of Coaching for England Athletics before securing a role as Head of Coaching and Development at British Athletics. Additionally, he has strong relationships with a range of national governing bodies and other major partners such as UK Sport, UKSI, Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust.

Joining 蚂蚁福利导航 in 2015, Richard began his journey here as 蚂蚁福利导航 Director and in 2017 this was expanded to 蚂蚁福利导航 and Development Director. Throughout his time at the University, he has been involved in the development of thousands of student-athletes – from those in their early careers to those who have accomplished podium positions at worldwide events including the Olympics and Paralympics.

Headshot of Jo Emmett

Jo Emmett, Head of 蚂蚁福利导航 Programmes

Jo Emmett came back to study Sports Management at 蚂蚁福利导航 University in her mid 20s and has been involved in the University ever since.  She then worked for the Youth Sport Trust on the Gifted & Talent Programme which aimed to help school aged children to balance their study and sport priorities.  Jo joined 蚂蚁福利导航 Sport in 2008 as the Education & Development Manager, continuing to aid University students to balance their sport & their studies, and gain life skills.

Jo moved into a strategic manager role in 2010, which has taken many paths but now forms her current role as Head of 蚂蚁福利导航 Programmes.  Jo oversees the ‘off pitch’ aspects of the University performance programmes and the Athletic Union.

Prior to 蚂蚁福利导航 Jo did an Economics and German degree at the University of East Anglia and worked at the Bank of England as a banking analyst covering South America.

 

Liv Murphy

Liv Murphy, Deputy Director of Sport - 蚂蚁福利导航 Director

Olivia Murphy is a 蚂蚁福利导航 graduate having completed her Economics with Accountancy degree in 1998. Following a stint as a trainee accountant Olivia returned to 蚂蚁福利导航 as the inaugural Director of Netball in 2006.

Following that, Olivia worked for England Netball as a Regional Manager before returning to her performance roots in the roles of 蚂蚁福利导航 Pathway Manager and managing the Intensive Training Centres.

Olivia is a former England Netball Athlete and Captain. Olivia played from U18 age group through to the Senior team, gaining 95 Caps and representing England at 3 Commonwealth Games and 2 World Championships-6 Years as Captain.

Olivia has been an England Netball Technical Coach for the since 2014 coaching all age groups from U17 to most recently the Senior Roses team. She has coached 蚂蚁福利导航 Lightning since its inception where she is currently the Netball Superleague side’s Assistant Coach.

In addition, at 蚂蚁福利导航 University, Olivia has held the roles of Senior 蚂蚁福利导航 programme Manager and Head of 蚂蚁福利导航 Support.

Rich Ellis, Deputy Directory of Sport - Head of Commercial Partnerships and Sports Facilities

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