Run Project Activator for Westminster
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Ellie Wood - I grew up in London then moved with family up North in my early teens. After finishing my A levels in York then BA Hons degree in Manchester, I moved back to York to begin work. My sports development career to date is quite varied. After Studying for a BA Hons degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, I then went onto train in then teach studio fitness classes in York. I started working in Sports Development for York Council back in 2005 when I used my teaching experience to springboard myself into an activity coordinators post for the Sports Development team. After 5 years of moving up the ladder within York Council, I left in 2010 as a Community Leisure Officer, having managed teams within sports development and obesity management projects across the city.
I moved back to London in 2010 when I was successfully appointed the Further Education Sports Coordinator for Westminster Council’s School Sports Partnership team. For a year I was able to develop a number of sports, activities and events across the colleges in Westminster. It was a very rewarding experience as the role enabled me to reacclimatise myself with London and the needs and requirements of Londoners particularly in central London boroughs.
After a year I was ready to move on and I was delighted to discover the job opportunity with England Athletics to become a Run Project Activator, when I saw this I jumped at the chance. Thankfully I was successful in my applications and was appointed the role of activator in Westminster and Lambeth in July 2011. I was thrilled to be given the chance to concentrate on one specific sport for a change and so excited for the opportunity to join the NGB of a sport that I am personally so passionate about.
I am a keen runner myself and have taken part in many 10k, 5k and Half Marathon events. In 2009 I ran my first London Marathon which was one of the best experiences I have ever had. My future ambitions include running the Berlin, then the New York Marathons.
I am delighted to have joined the Run Project Team. I see the Run Project as an exciting unique and ambitious challenge for myself and the other activators. We all have such wide and varied experience in sports development that I am positive we will make a huge impact on athletics participation in London over the next two years.
Links to news & events in Westminster below: