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 Claire 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 is currently combining the role of Club Secretary and Club Chair, 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 also has the strategic overview of the development of the whole club and supports the committee to help drive club improvement forwards. 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 £5000 per year.
Treasurer | treasurer@kentexiles.co.uk
Stevie 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 kit and equipment lead. More recently he has taken on the role of club treasurer. Stevie owns his own limited company and so is well positioned to take on the role of managing the club’s finances!
Coaching Lead – Junior Hayden | junior.hayden@kentexiles.co.uk
Junior has been involved in american football both as a player and a coach. Having played at Junior level, for the Kent Rams, London O’s and the London Capitals and then at adult level for the London Olympians, the London Rockets, Milton Keynes Pioneers and then the Farnham Knights.
Coach Junior’s coaching resume includes being the defensive coordinator for the Championship winning Kingston Cougars, he was then the defensive coordinator at the Cobham Cougars (2018-2019), before taking on the Head Coach position at the Kingston Cougars (2018-2020). Junior has coached at the Exiles since 2020 and has been the adult contact head coach since 2023. Junior is also the Head Coach of the KCL Regents University team.
Coach Junior’s role involved him supporting the Club’s coaching staff and he is ultimately responsible for meeting the Club’s objective of developing more coaches from within.
Lay Member/Project Lead – 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 Lead – Josh King | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Josh leads on our social media strategy across the Club and manages the social media team. Josh plays on our adult contact team, after previously playing for the NTU Renegades whilst at university.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead – Vicki Lucas | contactus@kentexiles.co.uk
Vicki has been playing American Football since 2015, first as a receiver at Lancaster University 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 as well as her role as EDI lead, Vicki oversees the Club’s website – ensuring that information is up to date, consistent and accurate.
Kit & Equipment Lead – 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 offensive coordinator for the U14 flag team and the U19 head coach.
As a club we are well resourced and have a significant amount of kit and equipment! Dave, along with a number of volunteers, ensures that our three storage containers are kept tidy, well ordered and accessible!
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
Daniel has been at the Exiles for many years, and has worked his way through our youth program. Daniel is currently a team captain on our adult contact team and is a key lynch pin of the Exiles defense. Daniel is also the Exiles Women’s team’s DB coach. He is passionate about player development and is working with our Coaching Lead to ensure that we have a clear pathway for development within the Club.
We also have three focus groups that operate within the Exiles:
- Social Media
- Medical and Mental Health
- Finance