The passionate team leading the way at The Hunslet Club.
Alongside the management team, The Hunslet Club is supported by a dedicated and passionate group of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to deliver activities, programmes, and events for young people and the wider community. Their commitment plays a vital role in ensuring the Club runs smoothly each day, creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone who walks through the doors.
From coaching sports sessions and leading youth activities to supporting events, administration, and day-to-day operations, each member of the team contributes their time, skills, and energy to make a positive difference. Many staff and volunteers bring their own experiences and passions to the Club, helping to inspire young people, build confidence, and create meaningful opportunities.
Together, this wider team helps maintain the strong community spirit at the heart of The Hunslet Club, ensuring it remains a place where young people feel supported, valued, and encouraged to thrive.
Chief Executive Officer
Dennis joined The Hunslet Club as a junior member over 50 years ago. His passion for boxing led him to volunteer as a coach before becoming CEO in 2004. Since then, he has dedicated his career to providing inclusive opportunities in sport, arts, and education for young people across South Leeds.
Under his leadership, the club has become a vibrant community hub, offering programmes that inspire, educate, and support children from all backgrounds. In recognition of his lifelong dedication, Dennis has been awarded an honorary doctorate for his outstanding contribution to community development and youth empowerment.

Director of Operations & Youth Services
Jennie has worked at The Hunslet Club for over 12 years and is passionate about supporting children and young people within the local community. She believes every young person should have access to safe, welcoming spaces where they can express themselves, have fun, and simply enjoy being young in an increasingly busy world. Jennie is dedicated to creating opportunities that many young people may not otherwise have, helping them build confidence and develop new skills.
As Director of Operations & Youth Services, Jennie oversees the day-to-day running of the organisation while leading the development and delivery of youth programmes. Her work focuses on creating inclusive and inspiring environments where young people can make friends, try new activities, and grow personally and socially. Through her leadership, The Hunslet Club continues to provide meaningful experiences that support young people and create positive, lasting memories.

Director of Business & Education
Ryan is our Director of Business & Education and has been with the team at The Hunslet Club for almost 3 years. He is responsible for overseeing our Alternative Education Provision, Business opportunities and Sports section.
Before joining the club Ryan was a PE Teacher by trade and was The Deputy Principal of Leeds Sixth Form College, looking after A-Levels, Applied Sciences and Sports. Ryan has a wealth of experience in Sports programmes holding a BA Hons Degree in Sports Coaching and Development.
Ryan specialises in football coaching and currently works part-time for The Football Association putting people through their coaching badges. Prior to this Ryan coached at the prestigious Leeds United Academy for a number of years. Ryan aims to collate this broad range of experience to ensure every young person who comes through the door at Hunslet can reach their full potential.

Sports and Activities Manager
Chris Boyce is the Sports and Activities Manager at The Hunslet Club, overseeing the full sports activity programme, including community sports sessions, the schools sports programme, and the Club's popular school holiday activities. His role focuses on creating engaging opportunities that encourage young people to stay active, develop skills, and enjoy sport in a positive environment.
Chris's journey with The Hunslet Club began as a young member attending activities himself. He later returned as a volunteer coach, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the organisation that played an important role in his own development. Through dedication and hard work, he progressed into a leadership role and is now a valued member of the Club's management team.
Passionate about sport, particularly rugby, Chris continues to volunteer coach alongside his management responsibilities, inspiring young people and helping them build confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of physical activity.

Marketing Manager
Zoe is the Marketing Manager at The Hunslet Club, overseeing all aspects of marketing, communications, social media, and public relations. She plays a key role in promoting the Club's programmes and impact within the community, ensuring families, partners, and stakeholders remain connected to the organisation's work.
Zoe works closely with local businesses and partners, building strong relationships with organisations that support the Club through donations and sponsorship. She ensures that partnerships align with each organisation's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals, helping create meaningful collaborations that benefit both young people and the wider community.
Passionate about youth development, Zoe is committed to helping young people build confidence, discover their interests, and reach their potential. Alongside her marketing role, she coaches netball and co-runs the Club's popular art camps with Josh, combining creativity and sport to provide engaging opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and express themselves.

Education & Youth Development Manager
Soe Smith-Leung is the Education & Youth Development Manager at The Hunslet Club and has been part of the organisation since joining on a university work placement. Since then, she has become a key member of the team, playing an important role in supporting young people across both education and youth provision.
During the day, Soe oversees the Club's Alternative Education provision, supporting students with their learning, personal development, and engagement in a structured and supportive environment. Alongside this, she leads the Junior Youth Club programme, which has grown significantly under her leadership, achieving record participation numbers and expanding opportunities for young people in the community.
Soe is deeply passionate about both areas of her work and is committed to helping young people feel supported, confident, and motivated. As the Club's dedicated Safeguarding Lead, she ensures a safe, inclusive environment where all young people can feel secure, valued, and able to thrive.

Youth Work Lead
Carly Watson is the Youth Work Lead at The Hunslet Club, overseeing the delivery and development of the Senior Youth Programme. She is passionate about supporting young people and creating opportunities that allow them to grow in confidence, build positive relationships, and reach their full potential.
With a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing, Carly is dedicated to creating safe, inclusive environments where young people feel supported, valued, and able to thrive. She works closely with young people to ensure programmes reflect their needs and interests, encouraging participation, personal development, and a sense of belonging.
Carly plays an important role in providing guidance and support, helping young people navigate challenges while promoting resilience and positive wellbeing. Through her work, she aims to empower young people to express themselves, develop life skills, and feel confident in who they are, ensuring The Hunslet Club remains a safe and welcoming space for all.

Operations Lead
Angela first became involved with The Hunslet Club as a parent volunteer supporting the dance section. With a lifelong passion for dance in all its forms, she was eager to help when her daughter joined the programme. Many of her weekends were spent preparing young performers for competitions and exams, often plaiting the hair of more than 300 members to ensure they felt confident and ready to perform.
Angela has now been a valued member of staff for over 11 years. She began her journey as the Club Administrator and, through dedication and commitment, progressed into her current role as Operations Lead and Reception Lead. Angela plays a key role in the daily running of the Club, ensuring everything operates smoothly while creating a warm and welcoming environment for members and visitors. She takes pride in getting to know every young person who walks through the doors, helping make their experience positive, supportive, and memorable.

Teaching, Mentoring & Creative Arts Manager
Josh Parkin is the Teaching, Mentoring and Creative Arts Manager at The Hunslet Club, leading creative learning and youth development through art, mentoring and collaborative projects. His journey with the club began three years ago as an Art Tutor, working across education and youth programmes, and he has since played a key role in growing the Creative Arts department into a thriving part of the organisation.
Prior to this career shift, Josh worked as a freelance illustrator for internationally recognised brands including Nike, Xbox and The North Face, a practice he continues alongside teaching. He is passionate about nurturing young creative minds, creating safe spaces for self-expression, and developing partnerships that expand opportunities, including the club's now sell-out Art Camp programmes running across the school holidays.

If you need to speak to another member of the team who is not listed above, please feel free to call us on 0113 271 6489. Our office hours are weekdays from 9:00AM until 4:00PM.
For enquiries about sponsorship, donations or volunteering, please visit our Support Us section.
For general enquiries and regular updates, find us on Facebook
Have questions about The Hunslet Club? Our team is here to help. Reach out to us and we'll be happy to assist.