TASS Team

Guy Taylor

Guy has been the National Director for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme from its inception. He advises a number of countries on the development of their own Dual Career programmes, including currently being the International Advisor on Dual Careers for the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology. He has previously been Chef de Mission and Team Manager for a number of GB delegations and teams across various sports and events. Guy chairs the European Union Expert Group in Human Resources Development in Sport, having previously been Chair for the Education and Training in Sport Expert Group. He is also a member of the British Weightlifting Board and is Chair to their High Performance Group.

Craig Williams

Craig joined TASS in 2014 having spent nine years as a physiologist with the GB Rowing team, the highlight of which was undoubtedly the successes at the London Olympics in 2012.  He has a PhD in physiology from his time at the University of Chichester. Craig’s role oversees the delivery of support services across the TASS network, as well as maintaining the relationships between TASS and the National Governing Body (NGB) partners, facilitating the engagement of sport NGBs with the education institutions to develop sustainable partnerships.

Colin Allen

Colin is responsible for overseeing the both the strategic and day-to-day TASS operations. Another aspect of his role involves leading on programme and project work to support the development of NGB’s England Talent Pathways.

Colin started his career as an Athlete Investment Officer at UK Sport, before originally joining TASS in July 2010 as a Project Manager. He moved across to Northumbria University in June 2014, to work as part of their performance sport programme as a Talent Identification and Pathway Manger, before re-joining TASS in October 2015.

Kirsty Field

Kirsty began working at TASS in October 2015, upon returning to the UK following a nine year span in the USA. Her time in America began as a golf scholar and was followed by a Graduate Assistant Golf Coach role, in conjunction with a Master’s Degree. She then moved on to a three year career as a high school German teacher and golf coach, providing the opportunity to assist student athletes both in the classroom and on the golf course.

At TASS, Kirsty’s role within the team is National Lead – Institutions, which involves liaising with the TASS Delivery Sites and conducting Institution and Dual Career related projects.

Alison Brown

Alison has worked in the area of education and lifestyle support for TASS athletes since joining the scheme in 2010. During this time, she has had responsibility for managing the national TASS network of lifestyle advisors, helping shape TASS policy and working with external organisations such as UK Anti-Doping and SkillsActive to help develop the support that TASS offers to talented athletes. Development and delivery of the nationally recognised 1st4sport TALS qualification also falls under Alison’s remit. Prior to TASS, Alison spent many years working within professional football, having worked at both The Football Association and Professional Footballers’ Association.

Ralph Appleby

Ralph joined TASS in June 2018 and is responsible for managing the CPD element of the TASS practitioners within the network. Previously, Ralph worked for Northumbria University as part of their performance sport programme as the Athlete and Team Services Manager. He recently completed his  PhD ‘An examination of the role of training demands and significant others in athlete burnout’ and is a chartered Sports Psychologist.

Emma Vickers

Emma is a former international table tennis player and TASS-supported athlete. She recently completed a PhD at LJMU exploring the dual career pathway and transitions of student-athletes at UK universities. Emma has recently worked at Loughborough University as a performance lifestyle co-ordinator and has previously worked as a national coach for Table Tennis England and as a lecturer in sport psychology.

Grace Harrison

Grace is a former international gymnast who is currently an athlete mentor and Athlete Representative on the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association Executive Committee.

She recently completed an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University. During her MSc research project, Grace worked alongside TASS to investigate the dual career plans and experiences of elite women’s footballers.

Grace’s role at TASS involves providing coordination support to TASS delivery on the FA’s Women’s Super League Academy Programme, as well as supporting the TASS Research Group and it’s research projects.