Key Personnel

Jane Watkinson – Co-founder, Secretary and Director

Jane has played football since she was very small, which was her biggest passion growing up. She has worked in the community sector for several years, utilising her BA in Sociology and MA in Politics with Research Methods, driven by the desire to help with creating a more inclusive, equal and fairer society, especially with historically disadvantaged and marginalised areas and groups. For Jane, AFC Unity is a merging of these two interests, playing and promoting women’s football and helping create an alternative football club that makes a difference in society through furthering social justice and creating positive role models. Jane helps with administration, research, evaluation and fundraising for on and off the pitch activities including our community work and projects and is also a qualified FA Level 1 Coach.

Jay Baker – Co-founder, Head Coach, and Director

Jay Baker has been managing non-profit organisations for nearly 20 years and is a Fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, has a Level 2 Certificate in Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations, a Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF), and is Youth Work Skills Level 2 and FA Level 1 Coaching qualified. His approach to AFC Unity is one of putting the women first, empowering them with a sense of ownership over not just the team but the club as a whole.

Sophie Smith – Welfare Officer and Director

Sophie started playing football aged 8 but only joined a team when she started university, playing for the Sheffield Medics Women’s team for 6 years. After a few years away from football Sophie joined AFC Unity when the club was only a few months old. Over the years she has become more involved and is now the club’s joint Welfare Officer and an FA Level 1 qualified coach. Sophie works as a GP in Sheffield and loves that she can combine helping others with her passion for football, regularly taking part in the Football for Food campaign and other community activities run by the club.

Jaimee Reeve – Treasurer and Director

Jaimee was born and raised in Newcastle. She has always been around football and grew up playing with her older brother. She is a Newcastle United supporter (of course!) After playing very little football in her early 20s she began playing for AFC Unity in 2016. Jaimee initially played for the AFC Unity Jets before moving to the first team. Jaimee is passionate about the community ethos of the club, such as the Football for Food campaign and empowering women through Solidarity Soccer. Jaimee believes in supporting wellbeing through exercise, positive relationships and role modelling.