The Jersey Football Association is delighted to announce the appointment of three new Directors.

Craig Grant, Sue Beavil and Jimmy Kelly join the Board at an exciting time, following the release of Jersey FA’s new 3-year strategy, ‘Game for Change, Game for Life’.

The new directors will provide strategic direction for the association in areas of finance, marketing and human resources which will be hugely beneficial in supporting the JFA to achieve its mission: ‘Uniting a football community to make Jersey a better place to live’.

Bradley Vowden, President of the Jersey Football Association said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming three new Directors of such high calibre.

“Each one of them provides our board with a unique background and perspective and we look forward to their expertise and guidance in the coming years.”

Craig Grant

Craig Grant, originally from Aberdeen in Scotland, has lived in Jersey with his wife Emer since 1997. Craig is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience leading finance functions in the retail, business services and manufacturing sectors.

Craig currently works for a law firm as their Practice Director and has the responsibility for delivery of the firm’s strategy, as well as leading the Finance, Compliance, Marketing & Business Development, IT and Facilities functions.

Craig is a former Muratti footballer and captained Jersey to a 2-1 victory over Guernsey in 2002. While Craig still follows football locally, he no longer plays. However, he is a keen cyclist, and can often be seen cycling around the island and further afield.

When asked about his recent appointment to the JFA Board as a Non-Executive Director, Craig stated: “It is an honour to be asked to join the board and I hope to be able to support David Kennedy and the rest of the JFA team in delivering the very comprehensive and exciting strategy that was recently launched. Having enjoyed a long career as a player, to have the opportunity to help support the game develop and thrive throughout the whole community in Jersey is something I am looking forward to. I believe that my experience in delivering growth and change in my business career, and my time as a player, will be of help in achieving the JFA’s goals.”

Sue Beavil

Sue Beavil is joining the Board with over 30 years’ experience gained in professional services businesses. Sue has a lifetime’s involvement in grassroots sports, from childhood to adulthood, as a competitor and team player, a club administrator and volunteer, a coach, and an enthusiastic parent on the side-lines. Even her degree from Trinity & All Saints College, University of Leeds, was in sport. Since arriving to work and live in Jersey nearly 3 years ago, Sue has already thrown herself into Jersey’s sporting life; coaching Nomads Ladies’ Hockey Team.

Sue stated: “Some of my best memories, experiences, life-skills and friendships have come about because of sport, and none of those would have happened if it wasn't for my supportive parents and the volunteers at the clubs I played for. They created opportunities in positive environments to teach, train, develop and encourage my passion for sport.”

Sue stated that she has joined the Board with: “A desire to do what I can to support the successful implementation of the Jersey FA’s strategy and help ensure Jersey continues to provide environments where children and adults, players and spectators alike, can get joy, build confidence, feel welcomed and part of something special to them, enjoy friendships and stay healthy all because of the beautiful game that is football.”

Jimmy Kelly

Jimmy Kelly is a professional Performance Coach and founder of Jersey based company, Performance Now. He works with a range of clients in both business and sport to improve individual and team performance, and has coached clients in the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Jimmy received a MSc in Social & Organisational Psychology from the University of Exeter in 2011 and has over 20 years of experience in coaching, leadership, and personal development. He has operated at all levels of organisations, from call centres to Managing Director. An experienced company Director, and member of the Institute of Directors, he recently received his IOD Certificate in Company Direction.

No stranger to sport in Jersey, Jimmy was a member of the coaching unit that supported the JFA Women’s Football Team on their journey to the Gold medal in the 2015 Island Games. With a deep passion for developing Women’s and Junior sport on the island, Jimmy is also proud to be the Performance Coach to Team Jets netball. Married to Susie with two children, Fin and Dexter, he also helps coach the St Lawrence Football Club Under 15s team at the weekends.