Mat takes the reins from long-serving former Director Richard Allen and brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Mat has a long affiliation with the University, having completed his Master's degree at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é before joining the Coaching and Volunteering Academy ten years ago.
He has since built varied expertise in the sport sector, including through several roles within football at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é. Mat’s experience extends to programme management, commercial development, event delivery, operations, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning, complemented by valuable experience gained with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
An emerging leader in the sector, he has made a significant impact over the past three years as Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é’s Programme Manager for Football, working closely with Richard Allen to drive success across all areas of football and futsal.
Richard will remain at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é as the Chair of Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Students FC and Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Lightning.
“Having been part of the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é football programme for a number of years, this is a really exciting next step and one that I’m incredibly proud of,” Mat said.
“Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Football has a unique opportunity to bring together performance, education, player development, workforce development and meaningful pathways across the men’s, women’s, futsal and para football programmes.
“There is already so much to be proud of across the programme, and I’m looking forward to working with our players, coaches, staff, students, University colleagues, partners and wider football community to build on that work.”
Lou Gear, Director of Sport at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é, added: “I'm thrilled to congratulate Mat on his appointment as Director of Football. Mat's journey from student to coach to programme leader is a real Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é success story – he has the knowledge, ambition and values to lead the programme into its next chapter, and I’m looking forward to working alongside him to realise Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é’s footballing ambitions.
“On behalf of everyone at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Sport, I also want to thank Richard Allen for his leadership and commitment over the last four years. He has helped to strengthen football and futsal for men and women, and created opportunities for so many students, players, coaches and volunteers. We're delighted he will continue to be part of the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é football story.”
For more information on football at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é, visit: www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/sports/football-womens/