We have over 35 years of combined industry experience

85% of our team have professional sporting backgrounds

We are experts in sports

Our executive TEAM

TYRELLE MCLEOD-BENTLEY

Director

  • After undertaking a soccer scholarship at West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Tyrelle went on to experience an international soccer career playing for numerous teams in the USA and UK and then the prestigious IF Karlslund in Sweden. Post soccer, Tyrelle worked as a consultant for the highly esteemed Prelude Group. In 2014 Tyrelle co-founded Soccer Assist, one of the UK’s fastest growing Soccer Scholarship agencies, where he remains a Director today. With a well respected soccer career and business skills under his belt, Tyrelle has been awarded various accolades, from the Young Enterprise award in 2014, to Industry Leader by Sports Industry Group NextGen in 2017, as well participating in young entrepreneur forums on BBC radio and being featured as One to Watch by Startups journal. At Varsity Nine, Tyrelle is responsible for leading and directing our Pro and Elite services. Outside of the office Tyrelle is Chief Football Officer at AFC Dunstable. 

OLIVIA SPINELLI

Director

  • Olivia started her career at Vivienne Westwood in a digital role during the early days of luxury ecommerce. From here she transitioned into the field of public relations and then embraced startup life developing social media and digital strategies for large global brands at digital agency Klood. During her tenure, Olivia fast-tracked to become Head of Content and Digital Projects and set the digital content vision for some of the UK’s leading brands such as VW and Costa. In 2016 Olivia co-founded The App Nest, a technology startup that specialised in the incubation of premium apps and development of unique algorithms including Football Whispers, the world's first transfer predictor. In 2018 The App Nest transitioned to DREST, the world’s first luxury gaming app, where Olivia took on the role of Content and Brand Partnerships Director until late 2021. In 2022 Olivia took on the role as Managing Director at Soccer Assist, where she remains in office today. At Varsity Nine Olivia has joined the board as a Director and Strategic Advisor. Olivia studied at the University of Manchester, where she graduated with a 1st Class Bsc Hons degree. Outside of the office Olivia is Vice-Chair at AFC Dunstable and a Yoga teacher. 

VIVION COX

Director

  • Vivion started his career as a Technologist in the Banking and Insurance sectors before studying for his MBA at the world renowned Cranfield School of Management where he caught the startup bug. A true entrepreneur and 5 time business Founder within an array of sectors mostly in the areas of Technology, Digital and Sport. Vivion has successfully sold 4 of the businesses and holds the title of Founder and Board position at the one that remains, Twenty3, an industry leading sports technology platform that consolidates and optimises data to enrich content and enhance team and recruitment analysis for pro Football teams across the globe. Career highlights include; Chief Development Officer at DREST, Co-Founder at The App Nest, Founder and CEO at Klood, Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Oomri Limited. Vivion has joined the board at Varsity Nine as a Strategic Advisor. Outside of the office Vivion is has been the Director of Football at non-league clubs which saw him play a critical role in one of the teams achieving back to back historic FA Vase final appearances at Wembley and is also a competitive triathlete. 

    Vivion is also a FIFA Licensed Agent and FA Registered Agent - operating under Varsity Nine’s Pro services.

JUNIOR OSEI-TUTU

Director

  • After completing a soccer scholarship at West Virginia University Institute of Technology in 2015, Junior went on to study Business Management at Walsh University, graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. Whilst studying, Junior co-founded Soccer Assist, one of the UK’s fastest growing Soccer Scholarship agencies, where he remains a Director today. In 2022 Junior was awarded Industry Leader by Sports Industry Group NextGen. At Varsity Nine, Junior is responsible for leading and directing our sales and partnerships, and overall delivery of our Elite scholarship placement services. Away from the office Junior is Chief Commercial Officer at AFC Dunstable. 

Our wider TEAM

Kasey Allen

Events Manager & Head of Athlete Welfare

    • Kasey has 10 years experience in professional sport and international tournaments.

    • From Olympics, Commonwealth Games to Premier League Academy working with the U9s-U23s. 

    • Kasey has career experience in various sports, through Football, Rugby, Badminton, Cricket, F1 and Lacrosse.

    • A Rugby referee and holder of several non executive director positions championing the development of women and girls sports across a number of committees.

    • At Varsity Nine Kasey oversees and manages the execution of all our events and is responsible for our safeguarding and athlete welfare practices. 

Sam WALTON

Head of Soccer

    • Sam was an academy football player for the majority of his youth career, leaving Monkseaton Football Academy in 2016.

    • He studied at University of North Georgia, where he earned a degree in Business & Psychology (Bsc), graduating in 2020. 

    • Sam played full-time football at NCAA D2 and for USL 2 side Seacoast United Phantoms in New Hampshire. 

    • Has worked in the scholarship sector since 2022. 

    • Sam is responsible for placing Varsity Nine’s elite players on soccer scholarships at top American institutions via his wide reaching US network and client empathy. 

    • FIFA Licensed Agent and FA Registered Agent - operating under Varsity Nine’s Pro services.

Aidan Thompson

Olympic Sports Lead

    • A devoted athlete from a young age, and an established track and field athlete since his teenage years. 

    • Aidan attended Belmont University in Nashville on an athletic scholarship.

    • Aidan competed as an NCAA Division I athlete for three years and during this time qualified for the NCAA National First Round on two occasions. 

    • Broke the program steeplechase record in 2021 and was awarded Ohio Valley Conference honours on three occasions for Cross Country.

    • Post study Aidan held the position of Graduate Assistant Coach and was mentored by Belmont’s Director of Track & Field, Jeff Langdon. 

    • Aidan is responsible for the scholarship placement of Varsity Nine’s Track and Field, Tennis and Swimming athletes into elite American institutions. 

Maddie CLEAT

Olympic Sports Lead

    • Maddie attended the University of California, Berkeley, on a field hockey scholarship, where she played in Division 1 for four and a half years.

    • Her time at UC Berkeley not only honed her athletic skills but also provided her with extensive knowledge and experience in sports management and leadership.

    • Leveraging this background, Maddie joins Varsity Nine as an Olympic Sport Lead, specialising in Field Hockey and Golf scholarships.

    • As a young athlete, Maddie also played for Scotland U21's in field hockey.

    • Maddie is responsible for the scholarship placement of Varsity Nine’s Field Hockey and Golf athletes into elite American institutions. 

ELLIOT HEARNE

Video Content Producer

    • Elliot is a passionate creative with a degree in Media Productions (Bsc, Hons).

    • An experienced professional Videographer and Editor and all round content creator with specialism in production setup, camera operation, editing and motion graphics.

    • A specialist in sports content creation, the football sector in particular.

    • Elliot’s career highlights include Videographer at Aston Villa Football Club and Leisure Leagues, producing a diverse range of content from behind-the-scenes to match day footage and marketing materials. 

    • He is responsible for the management and production of Varsity Nine’s video content.  

WIKTORIA ORLOWSKA

Digital Marketer & Content Creator

    • Wiktoria graduated from the University of Exeter in 2021 with a Bsc Hons in Psychology.

    • Since graduating she has worked with a variety of industry leading brands including Beauty Pie, Deliciously Ella, and IKEA.

    • Wiktoria is highly experienced across multiple marketing disciplines, including; digital marketing, product marketing, paid media, and TV advertising.

    • Wiktoria prides herself on focusing on growth opportunities and creative strategies that engage and inspire sports communities. 

    • A huge sports fan, with a passion for motorsport and tennis in particular.

Alicia farley

Junior Graphic Designer

    • With a passion for all things design, Alicia graduated in 2019 with a BA in Graphic Design and an MA in Games Design in 2022.

    • Alicia produces key creative assets for Varsity Nine, working closely with our marketing and video team to build and produce materials for business initiatives and events.

    • Alicia strives to create materials that communicate our distinctive brand identity with a touch of "on-trend" appeal.

JOE OXLEY

Soccer Programme Manager

    • A UEFA A licensed football coach, with a coaching career spanning 15+ years; including 6 years at Luton Town Football club Academy, leading the U14, U15, and U16 age groups.

    • Joe has experience working on global football projects including; Adidas, UEFA Champions League and a host of Europe’s biggest clubs including Real Madrid, Man United and Juventus.

    • Joe also has 8+ years of experience developing and co-coordinating award-winning educational programmes with the Winch, and The Princes Trust, giving Joe vast leadership experience, and the opportunity to work closely with diverse groups of young people daily.

    • He has an in-depth understanding of modern football, the characteristics and passion required to develop outstanding players on the pitch and exceptional young people off the pitch. 

    • At Varsity Nine, Joe has been our Programme Manager since its inception. Joe  is also joint 1st Team Manager at AFC Dunstable.

JAMES TOWNSEND

Programme Head Coach

    • A passionate, energetic and ambitious UEFA A Licensed coach, James has a football philosophy that has evolved over a 16+ year coaching career.

    • James has experience working at Brentford FC, Luton Town FC and West Ham United.

    • Head Coach at our Soccer Programme since 2022. 

    • A good manager of people, James strives himself on integrating  ‘development’ with ‘performance’.  

    • Outside of Varsity Nine James is joint 1st Team Manager at AFC Dunstable.

Gedeon Okito

Programme Coach

    • Gedeon was scouted at the age of 14 by MK Dons, where he undertook a scholarship and role of Youth Team Captain. 

    • He played football for Dunstable Town, Banbury, Stratford Town, Kettering Town FC and AFC Dunstable, where he played over 150 games for the club across 3 seasons.

    • At Varsity Nine Gedeon is responsible for leading the 2nd team at our Soccer & Education Programme and holds a UEFA B Coaching License.

NIKI JAYAKODY

Head of Performance & Physiotherapy

    • A Chartered Physiotherapist and Sports Rehabilitator experienced in Sports and Performance. 

    • Niki discovered her passion for Physiotherapy during a work placement at the National Cancer Institute in Sri Lanka.

    • Niki holds an undergraduate degree in Sports Rehabilitation BSc (Hons) and Master’s degree in Physiotherapy from Kings College London. 

    • Highly experienced in NHS clinical/outpatient environments in addition to 5+ years of experience as a soft-tissue, rehabilitation and pitch-side therapist in sports settings.

    • At Varsity Nine Niki plays an integral role in the development and performance of our student-athletes, alongside providing medical support and minimising injury.

DAN NAYLOR

Programme & Events Coach

    • Dan is a UEFA B License Coach. 

    • He has played football for Oxford City, AFC Dunstable, Kempston Rovers and Dunstable Town. 

    • He is responsible for the development of the female division at Varsity Nine’s Soccer & Education Programme.

Aaron Pike

Operations Assistant

    • Aaron was degree educated at the University of Jamestown, North Dakota, USA.

    • He graduated in 2022 with a BA (Hons) in Sports Media Communications.

    • Aaron was the Captain of the Jamestown men’s soccer program and played in the NPSL for Duluth FC. 

    • Since returning to the UK, Aaron has played football for Hitchin FC and Newport Pagnell FC. 

    • Aaron is responsible for assisting with Varsity Nine’s event and operation functions, as well supporting the wider recruitment and placement teams.

Charlie Crane

Soccer Consultant

    • Charlie was degree educated at St. Thomas Aquinas College, New York, USA.

    • He competed on the men’s soccer team in the NCAA for four years. 

    • Charlie played in the summer leagues for Duluth F.C and New York Athletic Club.

    • Upon graduation Charlie coached at NCAA and club level. 

    • Charlie has worked in the scholarship sector since 2019, whilst also continuing his footballing career with playing contracts in Sweden and Finland.

    • Since 2024 he has overseen the placement of Varsity Nine athletes, priding himself on finding the optimum academic and sporting fit for each individual client.

Emily Woolvin

Athlete Liaison Officer

    • Emily was a devoted youth footballer, with time spent at academies including Aston Villa and Birmingham City. 

    • She secured a USA soccer scholarship at Goldey-Beacom College, Delaware.  

    • Emily graduated in 2021 with a degree in Business Administration in the NCAA DII CACC Conference, achieving DII ADA Academic Achievement award and CACC academic Honour Roll. 

    • A UEFA Licensed Coach, Emily currently coaches at West Bromwich Albion Girls RTC/ETC.

    • Emily is responsible for ensuring Varsity Nine athletes experience a smooth transition from recruitment to placement and supporting them throughout the process.

ANNABEL PRIOR

Head of Operations

    • Annabel was a dedicated youth footballer, with stints at academies including AFC Wimbledon, Fulham and Chelsea.  

    • Annabel secured a full soccer scholarship at Louisiana Tech University.

    • She graduated in 2017 with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science. 

    • Annabel has worked in the sports scholarship sector since 2017. 

    • An integral part of the Varsity Nine team, Annabel is responsible for overseeing the effective management and running of all our ops functions.

Owen Tredwell

Video & Performance Analyst

    • Owen was degree educated at Southampton Solent University, graduating in 2020 with a Bsc in Sport and Exercise Science.

    • He was also Masters educated in 2022 at the University of Worcester in Sport Performance Analysis. 

    • He has diverse analysis experience working with established football clubs, including Oxford City FC.

    • At Varsity Nine, Owen is responsible for leading our Performance Analyst department.

Josh Bonaiti

Recruitment Executive

    • Josh was an Academy football player for the majority of his youth career.

    • He then embarked on a USA Soccer scholarship at Heartland Community College before transferring to Waldorf University, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Psychology.

    • Josh has worked in the scholarship sector since 2022 and is responsible for supporting Varsity Nine’s recruitment function.

    • Alongside his work at Varsity Nine, Josh is also completing his MSc in Psychology.

Want to join us?

We’re always looking for new talent to join our team, get in touch below or checkout our LinkedIn to see any new positions.