The people behind The Kent Exiles AFC
The Kent Exiles American Football Club is run by an elected Committee with each post subject to re-election at least once every two years. The Committee are there to provide a management framework – they appoint the Head Coaches (and then let them coach!) and ensure that the Club functions on a day-to-day basis. They also have a strategic overview of the Club.
All members of the committee welcome any comments of feedback from club members at any time. The Exiles also welcome new members to its committee, or team of volunteers, just get in touch with Dave Pester if you would like to help.
Details of the committee members (including contact details) are provided below:
Chairperson – Claire Pester | claire.pester@kentexiles.co.uk
Claire has been involved with the club since 1995. As former Club Secretary, Claire’s role involved being the first point of contact for club enquiries, organising and attending key meetings, taking and distributing minutes and ensuring the club’s online registration system is up to date.
Claire has recently taken on the role of Club Chairperson, as well as helping with the Treasurer and Secretary roles.
Claire is also the Jack Petchey coordinator for the Club which enables us to recognise the achievements of our young people but also brings in excess of £2500 of vital funding each year.
Treasurer | treasurer@kentexiles.co.uk
Volunteer Coordinator – Dave Pester | dave.pester@kentexiles.co.uk
Dave has been with the club since it was founded in 1990. He played throughout his career on the Offensive Line, although played Tight End for Wales! Dave has always done (and continues to do) whatever is needed to keep the Exiles on course – be it standing in as the Adult team Head Coach in 2010, being the Junior team head coach for 2 seasons, painting pitches, being on the chain crew, driving various teams in a minibus to games and even a stint in the commentary box! Dave has previously acted as the O-Line coach for the Women’s team, and currently is the U14 Flag teams’ Head Coach.
As former Chairman, Dave oversees the Committee, so it is as effective as possible. He is also the primary contact for all-league and other organisations. He supports the efficient running of the club, chairing regular committee meetings and the yearly Annual General Meetings (AGM).
Dave is instrumental in recruiting new committee members, team managers and volunteers and is actively involved in representing the Club at local, regional and league events, and has taken on his new role as Volunteer Coordinator with gusto.
The volunteer coordinator represents our volunteers within the club, communicating club matters and brings feedback to the committee. They lead on volunteer recruitment and co-ordinates volunteer activity and tasks.
Director of Coaching – Scott Rowe | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Scott was Exiles Head Coach in 2008/9, and then took on the Director of Coaching role in 2015. The role is to support the Club coaching staff and is ultimately responsible for meeting the Club’s objective of developing more coaches from within.
Scott is a vastly experienced player and coach, having won 12 national championships and 3 European Championships in a career that has seen him play at Nicholls State University, Louisiana (NCAA Div 1-AA), in Spain, Germany and with the London Olympians.
Scott played for the GB Lions for 10 years, appearing at 2 European Championships and serving as Team Captain. Scott has also coached at all levels including being Special Teams Co-Ordinator for the Men’s GB Lions, and Defensive Co-Ordinator for the U19 GB Lions, and Special Teams & Recruiting Coordinator for the GB Lions U17/U19 program. In addition to his Exiles duties he currently serves as Head Coach for the GB U19 program.
In 2021, Scott was honoured as part of the inaugural class of inductees into the BAFA British American Football Hall of Fame.
Social Media and Website Lead – Vicki Lucas | vickstik14@gmail.com
The Social Media and Website Lead will coordinate the website and social media posts to ensure that information is up-to-date, consistent and accurate.
Vicki has been playing American Football since 2015, first as a receiver at Lancaster Univerity for the Lancaster Bombers, and joined the Kent Exiles in 2019 as Quarterback for the Exiles women’s team.
Vicki spent a year as an offensive coach for the women’s team while injured, but has since returned to playing and is currently also part of the GB Women’s National Programme as Quarterback.
Vicki has recently taken on additional roles helping with the Treasurer and Secretary positions.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead – Vic Bell | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Kit & Equipment Lead – Stevie Hill | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Stevie Hill is 46 and owns a small limited company. He joined the Kent Exiles in October 2021 when his son joined the under 11 flag team. Stevie was keen to be more involved in the Exiles and joined the Committee in November 2022.
As the Kit and Equipment Lead Stevie is responsible for making sure all kit is safe to use and the required equipment is available when needed.
His NFL team is the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Safeguarding Lead – George Richardson | safeguarding@kentexiles.co.uk
The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for safeguarding at the club and will be a key point of contact with safeguarding issues for all levels of the club. George is the first point of contact for everyone where there are concerns about a child or vulnerable adult’s welfare. George ensures that all coaches who work with young people under the age of 18, undertake safeguarding training and are DBS checked. George is instrumental in helping to promote the club’s best practice guidance/code of conducts within the club as a whole.
Player Development Lead – Daniel Raeburn | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Exiles Academy Lead – VACANT | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
The Director of the Academy will be responsible for shaping the continued success and future direction of the Academy teams, its players and its coaching staff.
Facilities Lead – VACANT | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Sponsorship & Grants – VACANT | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Flag Lead – VACANT | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Adult Contact Lead – VACANT | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Flag Team Manager – VACANT | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Academy Team Manager – VACANT | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Women’s Team Manager – VACANT | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Join one of our Working Parties!
- Volunteer Working Party
- Social Media Working Party
- Safeguarding Working Party
- Coaching Development Working Party
- Player Development Working Party