A large crowd of sports fans wearing blue and white, some clapping and cheering at a sports event.

About Us

Our Story

A man, likely a coach, speaking to a group of young male athletes in a sports setting. The coach is wearing a dark cap and shirt, and the athletes are dressed in sports jerseys, with some displaying patches and logos. The focus is on the coach's face, with the athletes' backs and faces blurred in the foreground.
A group of young men playing rugby outdoors on a grassy field, with trees in the background. One player is holding a rugby ball and appears to be passing or throwing it, while others are observing or preparing for the next move.
A group of young men playing rugby outdoors on a grassy field, with trees in the background. One player is holding a rugby ball and appears to be passing or throwing it, while others are observing or preparing for the next move.

The Featherstone Rovers Foundation is a charity (registered Charity No. 1118452). We deliver a wide range of community projects and activities across Featherstone, the former Five Towns area and the wider Wakefield District.

We use the power of sport and the strong heritage of Featherstone Rovers RLFC to support our community, helping people of all ages develop the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to lead healthy, active and fulfilled lives. Each year we engage with tens of thousands of people through our programmes, school delivery and community initiatives.

A key part of our work is school sport. We deliver engaging PE sessions, after-school clubs, enrichment activities and sports coaching across primary and secondary schools. These sessions are designed to improve physical activity levels, develop teamwork and resilience, and encourage positive attitudes towards sport and wellbeing. We also support teacher delivery and provide pathways for young people to continue participating in sport outside of school.

Alongside school sport, we run a wide variety of community activities including holiday camps, rugby development sessions, fitness and wellbeing programmes, and inclusive activities for people of all abilities. Our aim is to ensure there is something accessible for everyone, regardless of age, background or experience.

We are also committed to developing opportunities for women and girls in sport, including rugby participation, as part of our wider drive to make sport more inclusive and accessible for all. In addition, we support dance and performance-based activities through community sessions and partnerships, helping young people stay active while building confidence, creativity and teamwork.

Our dance provision and community performance groups give participants the chance to perform at local events and matchdays, helping to build pride, self-esteem and a strong sense of belonging.

Everything we do is underpinned by our five key focus areas: Health, Social Inclusion, Learning, Physical Activity, and Heritage and Arts. We work closely with schools, community groups, voluntary organisations and local partners to deliver meaningful opportunities that make a real difference.

Our goal is simple: to inspire positive change, reduce barriers to participation, and create stronger, more connected communities through sport, education and activity.

Featherstone Rovers Foundation Team

  • A man wearing a dark blue polo shirt and black pants standing next to a featherstone rovers foundation banner. The banner features the Featherstone Rovers mascot, a stuffed animal, and the foundation's logo.

    Jamie Cording

    Head of Foundation


    Jamie Cording is the Head of Foundation and proudly hails from Featherstone, where he grew up and attended school. A former professional rugby league player, Jamie competed in the Super League with Huddersfield Giants and in the Championship with Featherstone Rovers. Alongside his playing career at Featherstone, he worked within the Foundation as a Sports Development Officer before progressing into a managerial role. Jamie later moved into primary education as a teacher, before gaining experience in educational sales. Returning to the Foundation as Head, Jamie is passionate about building on the organisation’s outstanding community work and continuing to maximise its positive social impact.

  • Close-up of a young man with long, curly dark hair, facial hair, and a slight smile, wearing a light blue sports jersey with a crest and the word 'Elgrens' on it, standing against a plain white wall.

    Otis Goodall

    Sports Administrator

    Otis joined the Featherstone Rovers Foundation team as a Sports Administrator in 2021. Since then, he has worked on multiple projects focused on digital inclusion within the community, including our ‘IT & Biscuits’ and ‘Tap Happy’ activities, as well as regularly assisting the rest of the team with other community projects and activities.

  • A smiling woman standing in a laundry room next to a washing machine and dryer. She is wearing a blue jacket with an embroidered emblem and the word 'Elgret' on it.

    Ann Marie Maguire

    Community Connector


    Ann Marie joined Featherstone Rovers Foundation in October 2025 as the Community Connector for Featherstone and Streethouse, part of Wakefield Council’s Building Healthy Sustainable Communities (BHSC) programme. She brings over 20 years’ experience across community engagement, health, and the voluntary and community sector, including 10 years as Community Engagement Officer at Healthwatch Wakefield.

    Ann Marie has a strong track record of bringing people together, building trusted relationships, and developing community-led projects that make a real difference. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with residents, organisations, and partners across the district to help strengthen local connections, improve access to support, and create opportunities for people to thrive.

    Passionate about supporting healthier and more connected communities, Ann Marie brings experience in partnership working, volunteer development, community engagement, and wellbeing initiatives. In her current role, she works alongside local people and partners to help improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, encourage confidence, and support better outcomes for communities across Featherstone and Streethouse.

  • A young man with short curly brown hair, wearing a navy blue sports jacket with white stripes on the shoulders and a logo on the chest, standing indoors in front of a white door with a gray wall on the side. There is a blue mural of a world map partially visible on the left and some household items on a white surface on the right.

    James Court

    Sports Development


    My role here involves delivering inclusive sports and wellbeing programmes across local schools and the wider community. I also plan and lead engaging activities that promote physical activity, teamwork, confidence, and healthy lifestyles for young people and community groups. I help build strong relationships with schools, partners, and local organisations to create positive opportunities that support participation, personal development, and community engagement.

  • A woman with long brown hair and blue eyes wearing a dark sports jacket with a blue and white design, standing against a plain off-white wall.

    Morgan Binnersley

    Dance & Sport Development

    Morgan joined Featherstone Rovers Foundation in 2022 as a casual coach. Her initial role involved delivering dance sessions in schools prior to being appointed Dance Development Officer.

    With a wealth of experience, Morgan has danced since the age of 3. She was also a Starlight & All Star for 7 years and has a huge passion for dance. She specialises in cheerleading/cheer dance and is qualified to teach Acrobatic Arts, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Multi-Sports.

    Growing up, dance was a huge escape for Morgan—a way she could express herself through the arts. She believes dance is an incredibly powerful tool for developing creativity, as well as a way to explore and express moods and ideas through movement.

    Morgan is excited to inspire and motivate future generations through dance, work closely on developing community relationships, and positively impact the growth and success of the All Star Dance Academy.

    Away from the Foundation, Morgan loves to spend quality time making memories with her daughter and family.

  • A young man with curly brown hair wearing a black jacket with white stripes on the sleeves, standing in front of a world map mural on a wall.

    Jacob Merrick

    Sports Development

    I started volunteering in 2019 and worked part-time from 2020 to 2023. I completed an apprenticeship through the Foundation and progressed to a full-time role in 2025.

    Last year, I was part of the first-team coaching staff, helping the team reach Wembley in the 1895 Cup Final, and I have also worked as an international coach for Ireland Rugby League.

  • A woman with short blonde hair and glasses smiling, wearing a navy blue and red sports shirt with the logo 'Ellgren' and a crest patch.

    Amanda Courtman

    Heritage Coordinator

    Amanda joined Featherstone Rovers Foundation in 2016 to support the BBC Children in Need project and has since played a leading role in a wide range of community initiatives. Over the years, she has managed successful programmes including Rovers Tots, Community Coffee Mornings, and the Foundation’s Volunteers Project. She currently leads the exciting heritage initiative Rugby Boots & Mining Roots, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

    A qualified Early Years Practitioner and Lecturer in Adult Learning, Amanda previously taught Early Years qualifications at Bradford College and spent more than 10 years working in Early Years settings.

    Away from work, Amanda is a passionate Featherstone Rovers supporter and regularly attends home and away matches with her daughter.

  • A young man standing in front of a white door, wearing a blue sports jersey with logos and text, including Milenium and Fulfilling Lives.

    Oliver McCraw

    Apprentice Sports Development

    Oliver started with us in 2025 as a student on a work experience placement, where he discovered his passion for community work and further cemented his enjoyment of sports coaching. Following his work experience with us, Oliver took on an apprenticeship to help deliver our wide range of sports and community programmes.

  • A sports mascot dressed as a horse or unicorn in a blue and white rugby jersey, standing on a sports field. The mascot has a large head with a friendly face and black hair, and appears to be waving or pointing.

    Percy the Pit Pony

    Featherstone Rovers RLFC Mascot

    Percy the Pit Pony is the official mascot for Featherstone Rovers RLFC. You can see him around the stadium on match days, taking pictures with fans and having a great time. Percy works with the Foundation, appearing at many of our events and activities, and taking part in our half-time parades and performances alongside our other staff.

Meet our Trustees

  • A smiling older man with gray hair, wearing a blue and black Trespass jacket over a red sweater, standing in front of a beige textured wall.

    Mark Pawson

    Mark is an apprentice-trained mechanical engineer who now works as a Branch Manager for GPS Recruitment, which specialises in engineering and manufacturing recruitment. A lifelong Rovers fan whose first game was in 1973, following the team’s Challenge Cup success earlier that year.

    Wishing to help the club as a volunteer, he spoke to the then club CEO, Pat Cluskey, who introduced Mark to Amy Hardman (Head of Foundation) in 2016. Mark has been a Trustee ever since.

    As a Trustee, I help with fundraising, the organisation and running of fundraising events, and on match days you will find me selling Golden Gamble tickets. I also contact local businesses to obtain sponsorship and support.

    Supporting the club home and away, I am proud to say that the match-day activities at Fev are second to none, and I hope this helps to attract new supporters to the club. The Foundation does a fantastic job on match days, and I would like to thank all the people who support the Golden Gamble.

    The club is on the way up – let’s all get behind the ‘on’ and ‘off’ field teams.

  • Smiling man with short gray hair, wearing a black jacket and a lanyard, standing indoors.

    Ken Taylor

    I moved to Pontefract in the mid-Sixties and started supporting Rovers in the early Seventies. I have held a season ticket for many years and follow the team home and away, enjoying being part of the Rovers “family”.

    After a career in Sales and Marketing, I retired in 2018 and looked for something to occupy my time and use my skills in a way that would benefit the local community. The Rovers Foundation offers valuable support to the local community, from tots to seniors, as well as developing Rugby League and promoting Rovers. The Dance Academy and various fitness programmes run by the Foundation help to promote a healthy lifestyle within the community.

    My involvement includes offering general support across all aspects of the day-to-day running of the Foundation, including fundraising and events, as well as attending Trustee meetings. I see the Foundation as an excellent way to utilise my skills to help the local community, whilst also helping to promote Rovers and give something back for the years of pleasure Rovers have given me.

  • Man sitting on a bench in front of a brick wall with a

    Neil Rush

    Neil Rush is 68 years old and has lived in the Pontefract area all his life. He is married to Diane and they have one son, Daniel, who is a proud “Flat Capper”.

    Neil worked at The King's School until his retirement seven years ago. During his time there, he was involved in a variety of courses delivered in partnership with Featherstone Rovers, working with students on programmes such as healthy living and sports leadership awards.

    He has supported Featherstone since 1966 and has proudly followed the club to Wembley on six occasions.

  • A smiling woman with short white hair, wearing glasses, is looking directly at the camera. The background shows a plain wall with a small section of a window or light source on the left.

    Maureen Tennant-King

    Hi, my name’s Maureen Tennant-King. I’ve lived in Featherstone all my life. I’m married to Terry, and we have seven children and 14 grandchildren between us. I’ve been a Trustee on the Foundation for a number of years now, a role which I love. I’m also a Trustee at Wakefield District Sight Aid and Chairperson of Featherstone Urban Charities Board.

    I’m now retired, but I used to work in the care sector. I’ve been a Town Councillor in Featherstone for the past 27 years and have been Town Mayor three times. More recently, I was a District Councillor for Featherstone for 10 years, and I have just finished serving as the Mayor of Wakefield for 2025/26, which I was immensely proud to do.

  • A man with gray, shoulder-length hair, a beard, and wearing glasses stands in front of a blue and white background covered with various sponsor logos, including 'LION PAC,' 'Taylor Wimpey,' 'Naturally Best,' and others. He is wearing a blue and white striped sports jersey with a crest and texting the word 'LION' across the front.

    Chris Heinitz

    Born in London, I came to Yorkshire to complete a postgraduate teaching qualification at Bretton Hall. I loved being in Yorkshire and moved here permanently in 1977. I was a Wakefield Councillor from 1983 to 2004 and, for many years, was Chair of Leisure, a role which developed into becoming the national Chair for all local authorities in England and Wales. Since retiring from teaching, I have spent a huge proportion of my time digitising the results, teams and scorers for all Fev matches since 1921, a project which continues with each new match.

    My main interests are the arts, sport and politics, and I was delighted to be able to combine all three. Whilst Chair of Leisure, I appointed a Rugby League Development Officer whose brief included creating opportunities for women and girls to play. That became the Wakefield Panthers team, which nowadays is Featherstone Ladies!

    I was delighted to join the Foundation Trustees, as I am passionate about providing opportunities for everyone to develop their talents — a theme that was central to both my teaching and political careers.

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length hair wearing glasses, a leopard print top, and a heart-shaped pendant necklace, standing in front of pink and beige balloons on a pink background.

    Linda Thornely

    With a background in marketing and business development, Linda has worked in many roles, which have also included budget responsibility.

    She is a local, originally from a Featherstone mining family, and now lives very close to the town.

    She has worked with many local charities, including the Wakefield Community Foundation, where business development has been an essential aspect of her work. Linda also worked on an ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) project and was required to secure matched funding for the organisation in order to fulfil the requirements of the project agreement.

  • Close-up of a smiling man with short dark hair, wearing a checkered shirt, in an indoor setting with ceiling lights.

    Jamie Millard

    Jamie Millard is a Network Infrastructure Specialist with over 22 years of experience helping to keep the UK connected. Born in Ackworth and having lived in Pontefract throughout his adult life, Jamie has built a career managing support for O2’s mobile network infrastructure. He has also been a lifelong fan of Featherstone Rovers alongside his work at Virgin Media O2.

  • Featherstone Rovers Foundation logo featuring a shield with a knight's helmet, lilies, and a cross, with the text 'Featherstone Rovers Foundation 1921'.

    Brian & Andrea Watson

    I have been a Trustee of Featherstone Rovers Foundation for around 15 years with a gap of a couple of months last year. I am currently the Secretary.

    I have been a loyal supporter of the rugby club for 65 years being dragged there kicking and screaming by my father during my younger years.

    During my working career I have been a Civil Servant, not James Bond but something similar, a Shop owner/Director and a driving instructor. I am now retired.

    I enjoy most sports but only watching these days, looking after my grandchildren when their parents are at work, and meeting up with people whilst walking the dog.

    I am married to Andrea who is also a Trustee of the Foundation working as the Treasurer.

Six men standing behind a blue plaque about Featherstone Rovers RLFC, with a backdrop of sports memorabilia and a wall with blue and white decorations.
A girl holding a large hockey trophy with a younger girl standing beside her, both indoors in front of a gray wall.
A group of elderly people gathered around a long party table decorated with Christmas decorations, eating and socializing in a room with holiday decorations including a small Christmas tree, lights, and festive banners.
A young man in a dark jacket is handing a boy in a camouflage hoodie a soccer ball inside a gymnasium with red walls and curtains. Other children in colorful clothing are visible in the background.
A group of men seated at a long table in a restaurant, with some drinking beer, engaging in conversation, and enjoying a meal. Large sports-related posters and a screen displaying a logo and text are visible in the background.
A mascot dressed as a wolf, wearing a football jersey, is throwing a rugby ball in front of a display featuring rugby player photographs and player information. The setting appears to be indoors, possibly at a rugby club or event.
Outdoor event with many people, some sitting on the grass and others walking around, tents and banners, including a prominent blue tent with the Featherstone Rovers Foundation logo, historic building in the background, and cloudy sky.
Children and cheerleaders in a park holding silver pom-poms during an outdoor cheerleading practice or event.
A young man in a navy blue shirt and black cap holding a rugby ball during a children's sports event on a grassy field with children and parents in the background.
Group of rugby players in black and white striped jerseys posing together on a rugby field with a stadium full of spectators behind them.
Group of elderly women sitting around a table with coffee cups and flowers during a social gathering in a well-lit room.
Group of five people and a mascot standing on a football field holding a Featherstone Rovers flag, with stadium seating in the background.

Get In Touch

A group of young women dressed in cheerleader uniforms with 'All-Stars Dance Academy' logos, posing in front of a black and white historical photo of women and a man.
Two men in a gymnasium or training facility, one with gray hair smiling and standing near gym mats and equipment, the other with glasses, bald, and in motion, holding a battle rope. The background contains padded mats, a small soccer goal, and various exercise equipment.
A classroom with children engaged in arts and crafts activities, some standing and some sitting at tables. The room has a large mural on the back wall depicting a horse at a sports stadium, and there are art supplies on the tables.
A young man in a blue sports shirt and a black cap holding a rugby ball, surrounded by children on a grassy field during the daytime, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Where to Find Us: