Meet the Team

In March 2021, six directors came together to create something unique in Sheffield to help a wide variety of people access all the fantastic benefits that come from sport.

Here, you can find out a little bit about us - before we hopefully meet you in person!

Melissa Thoms

Melissa has been teaching children and young people, specialising in Inclusive Education, since 2014. She is an IASF safety judge as well as fulfilling many other judging roles within various event producers internationally. A former SEND teacher, Melissa now devotes her spare time to promoting coach education and developing nation-wide opportunities for high performance tumbling - focusing on phenomenal technique and physical preparation to best prevent injury. Melissa co-founded the UK Tumbling Collective in 2022, providing tumbling coaching, camps, associates programme and coaches education across the country. Melissa is passionate about increasing access to sport for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

IASF qualified coach levels 1-7
IASF Legality Official
United Scoring Partners Certified Judge
ICU Certified Judge
QTS
Team Teach & Moving and Handling trained
Full Enhanced DBS

Megan Allsop

Megan has been coaching and working with children and young people with SEND for since 2016 . Megan studied Education, Culture and Childhood Studies at the University of Sheffield whilst working and volunteering at many specialist schools. Megan has been a competitive athlete since 2010, and began coaching as early as she could! Megan focuses on forging strong, trusting relationships with her athletes and ensuring that all have equal opportunities to succeed. Megan is passionate about the wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults. She dedicates her spare time to coaching tumbling with UK Tumbling Collective and judges multiple events across the country.

Designated Safeguarding Officer
Lead First Aider
IASF qualified coach Level 1-4
United Scoring Partners Certified Judge
ICU Certified Judge
Team Teach & Moving and Handling trained
Full Enhanced DBS

Tim Scott

Tim has had a long and successful career in management, holding the role of Deputy Director of Finance for the NHS at the national level for many years. He subsequently worked with Jenny, nationally and internationally, leading a number of innovative leadership development projects as well as running the business arm of the organisation. Tim brings years of experience of making new organisations work as well as his skills in leadership development. The ideals of Steel City Sports are close to Tim’s heart, providing as they do, an opportunity to create a truly unique service for Sheffield, its children and young people.

Dr Jenny Simpson OBE

Jenny is a paediatrician. After early years both as a clinician and in management at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Jenny went on to start and then run a national membership organisation for doctors in leadership positions, for 20 years. Jenny worked closely with government on healthcare reform and system improvement, advising Prime Ministers and Cabinet. Jenny is now the Senior Medical Advisor for Newton Europe and Director, Effective Leadership Solutions, part of the NHS. A passionate advocate of teaching and developing children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities together, Jenny is proud to be helping Steel City Sports.