FEATHERSTONE ROVERS FOUNDATION
'Opening Minds and Changing Lives'
TRUSTEES
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ANDREW PROUT - FOUNDATION SECRETARY
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I finally “retired” from BT for a second time in 2020, having initially taken voluntary redundancy in 2007 after which I became CEO of Featherstone Rovers for nearly four years. Those years were some of the most fulfilling, yet challenging, of my working career, and as former rugby player myself, more Union at Pontefract but some League with Ackworth, to see the club progress from the third tier of the game to the top of the Championship in that time still makes me smile.
Unfortunately, it couldn’t last, and I returned to BT as a self-employed project manager whilst also setting up my own sports medical business, importing strapping tape, bandages and physio supplies and helping local clubs and teams reduce the cost of this facet of their business.
Whilst my own small business provides me with a reason for getting out of bed on a morning, I still have an affinity with the club, and becoming a Trustee for the Foundation gives me an excellent opportunity to be part of the amazing work and benefits that Amy and the team deliver to Featherstone and the wider 5 Towns community. As a Trustee I am determined to ensure that the integrity of the Foundation is maintained whilst it continues to grow, and that the club embraces the opportunities to grow and ensure the profile of the club is enhanced.
CHRIS HEINITZ - RETIRED TEACHER
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Born in London, but came to Yorkshire to do a postgraduate teaching qualification at Bretton Hall. I loved being in Yorkshire and moved here permanently in 1977. I was a Wakefield Councillor from 1983-2004 and for many years was Chair of Leisure, a role that 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 further match.
My main interests are the arts, sport and politics and was delighted to be able to combine the three together. 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 my teaching and political careers.
MAUREEN TENNANT-KING - TOWN COUNCILLOR
I’ve been a member of the Foundation for a number of years now, I joined because I wanted to make a difference to people’s especially children’s lives, as I’m a school governor this is important to me. I’m a member if Featherstone Town Council And also a District Cllr representing Featherstone Ward 6, this enables me to point the foundation to any funding streams available which we may be able to tap into. The role of trustee to the foundation is an important one to me, it enables me to have an insight to all the good work it does out in the wider community and to ask questions and to be held to accountable. Long may the foundation continue and to give opportunities for all to be inclusive.
NEIL RUSH - RETIRED INCLUSION MENTOR
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Born in Wakefield in 1957 twin brother William also a flat capper we have supported The Rovers since mid 60's early memories 67 trip to Wembley . Worked at Kings school where I got involved with study Rovers with Doug and Barbara Wilford and Improvers with Tina Dransfield , was invited to join the Foundation as a trustee by Lauarabeth to advise with the work in secondary school which I have done for the past 5(ish ) years. I have several hobbies including trying to improve my golf, watching horse racing and running round after my wife Diane and my 4 grandchildren . My role as a trustee is to attend the regular trustee meetings offering advice to the many and varied Foundation projects , to attend as many functions as I can not only run by the foundation but other events at the stadium and finally to help on match days sell the Golden Gamble tickets which brings in vital income to help with the local community projects .
JOHN ILIFFE -
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Originally from Chesterfield, I moved to West Yorkshire in 1998 to study at Bretton Hall where I trained to be a primary school teacher. When I lived in Chesterfield, I thought I was in the north of England and I thought that rugby union was proper rugby. I had been re-educated on both of those points by the time I graduated 4 years later!
My 20 years of teaching children and working with families, along with my Christian faith, have taught me the importance of using our skills to do as much good as we can, as often as we can. Very soon after coming to Featherstone Rovers as Club Chaplain, I soon saw that this was the main objective of the Foundation in their community work, so I was honoured when the opportunity arose to become a trustee.
Over the last few years, I've been able to meet many of the huge number of people who are investing their time and effort at this club with the vision of making it the best it can be. I'm happy if I can play a small part alongside them to serve at this northern, proper rugby club which sits at the heart of its community.
LISA BURROWS - HR MANAGER & CHAIR OF FOUNDATION
I was first introduced to the club and the foundation through another trustee. I was instantly impressed with all the local community work that the foundation did. Half of my family are from Featherstone so I was happy and proud to help support a local charity close to my family. After helping the Foundation and going to a few games, myself and my children became Featherstone Rovers supporters for life! As much as I have enjoyed helping the Foundation it has been reciprocated back in the enjoyment we have had at the games even traveling as far as Toulouse with my son.
The Featherstone Foundation is a wonderful asset to the community, Amy and her team do a fantastic job in organising a variety of events for all different ages in the community. I am happy to help and support the Foundation in any way I can and I would encourage others to get involved in fundraising to keep the Foundation continuing their excellent work.
MARK PAWSON - RECRUITMENT MANAGER & VICE CHAIR OF FOUNDATION
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I am an apprentice trained Mechanical Engineer who lives in Pontefract. I now work as a Branch Manager for a company who help engineers, of all disciplines, find work. I have been a Rovers fan since the 1970's and a few years ago decided to get involved with the club as a volunteer. I met Amy Hardman who told me about the work the Foundation do and some of the projects they support in the 5 towns area. I joined and a year later became a Trustee.
As a Trustee I help with fundraising, 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 attract new supporters to the club. The Foundation do 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.
My favourite Fev quote "when I pulled the Featherstone shirt on as a player it made me feel 10 feet tall" - Vince Farrah.
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KEN TAYLOR - RETIRED MARKETING DIRECTOR & TREASURER OF FOUNDATION
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.”
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After a career in Sales and Marketing, I retired in 2018 and looked for something to occupy my time and my skills that would be beneficial to the local community. The Rovers Foundation offers a supportive link between 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.
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My involvement involves offering general support on all aspects of 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 helping to promote Rovers and give something back for the years of pleasure Rovers have given me.