EXECUTIVE BOARD

CHAIR

ANITA STANFORTH

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ANITA STANFORTH

It is my great honour and privilege to be the current Chairperson of UTE England, having been involved in the sport of baton Twirling for many years.

My daughter Rebecca began twirling in 1997 and it was a wonderful experience for us both. When she retired from twirling some years later, I was invited to apply to join the NBTA Executive Board. I felt that it was time to ‘give back’ to the sport which had so benefitted us both.

I have been a member of the NBTA Executive Committee since that time, becoming the Vice Chair and eventually I was honoured to become the Chairman of NBTA England.

I have been lucky enough to represent England at many international committee meetings and have been present at a large number of international competitions. Most recently I was a member of the organising committee for the first IBTF Nations Cup and World Championships in Liverpool 2023-a truly unforgettable experience.

The merging of NBTA and BBTSA has presented the opportunity to work with new colleagues who share the same goals for our sport. I truly appreciate every one of them and look forward to continuing our work together. I have seen our wonderful sport change the lives of so many young people and my greatest wish is to see baton twirling grow and develop so that it is available to many more people in the future. Together as one governing body we will strive to make that happen.

VICE CHAIR

NICKY O’NEILL

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NICKY O'NEILL

I began my involvement with twirling back in 1974 when my mum, Audrey O’Neill MBE, started a majorette club, The Thurrock Bellettes, based in South Ockendon, Essex. My brother was a member of an all-boys marching band, and my mum was the secretary. There were many girls attached to the band who had nothing to do and so with a loan from my dad and much encouragement from him she began a majorette team, we never looked back and the Bellettes, the marching band, which they formed a few years later became our lives.

My mum was also a founding member of the British Majorette Association, which evolved into the BBTSA and took the role of the Competition Director, a position she held for some 30+ years, only retiring from her involvement in the sport when she was 85. My mum has been my biggest role model, and I continue her legacy for the sport she introduced me to and the one she loved.

I have been a key figure in the coming together of the BBTSA & NBTA to form United Twirl England as well as internationally as an Executive Board Member of the IBTF. There have been many challenges, but the future of baton twirling is now looking good and I am excited, as I work together with my colleagues on the UTE and IBTF, to ensure we open up as many opportunities as we are able for all levels of the sport we all love.

TREASURER

VAL TOWERS

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VAL TOWERS

My introduction to the world of Baton Twirling started on the IOM when my now 43 year old daughter was just 3 years old and attended her first class. It was so exciting to part of this community and I very soon became involved in the organisation of the various competitions and events.

Over the years I have held various roles for Clubs, our Regions on the Isle of Man and then on a National level. My first role was that of Secretary for the BBTSA and then I moved across to become the Treasurer. A role that I held for many years.

As United Twirl England was formed, I was asked to be the Treasurer as we organised the first IBTF Nations Cup, World Majorettes and World Baton Twirling Championships. It was the largest competition organised to date and was a huge success for all involved. On a day to day basis, I oversee all the financial aspects of the Association and as the Areas evolve I will work closely with their committees to assist where I can to ensure we have the funds available across the whole of England to support and promote our Sport.

SECRETARY

TONY PRATT

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TONY PRATT

Despite never having held a baton, my involvement in Twirling spans four and a half decades. As photographer, videographer, IT/Tabulation specialist and then Secretary for 10 years in SFBT, Secretary for BBTSA since 2016 and now Secretary for UTE board of trustees.

Was always fortunate to work with a team of professional people within twirling. This professionalism peaked in 2014 Nottingham and 2023 Liverpool where we managed the largest international competition in the history of twirling.

I now feel privileged to be part of a diverse team progressing our sport within an evolving landscape.

COMPETITION MANAGER

CLAIRE WHITE

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CLAIRE WHITE

I started twirling back when I was only 3 years old and now 35 years later, I love the sport more than ever. I competed from a Tiny Tot through to adult, from a beginner through to competing for England and have won many National titles along the way. A personal highlight was competing in Jacksonville where we won the bronze medal for our group performance.

Then I retired gracefully and decided it was time to give back to the sport that had given me so much over the years. Along with my mum and sister we started a club. I have qualified as a bbtsa level 1 coach, judge, grade examiner and also a Wbtf judge.

Since having my little girl it is like watching history repeat itself as she picked up her baton and started twirling at 3 years old too. Watching her love the sport and make friendships for life is amazing.

I have also been competition officer for many years for Region 15 and many of you will know me as one of the twins (we aren’t but everyone thinks we are). We also loved the honour of being involved in the organisation for Liverpool.

I can’t wait to see the future of UTE. New memories to be made and together we will be stronger

MEMBERSHIP MANAGER

JOLENE BAYLISS

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JOLENE BAYLISS

I started my twirling experience over 40 years ago as a majorette and when my daughter was 4 years old I was keen to introduce her to this world. I had no idea how majorettes and the twirling sport had evolved over the years and within a few months we were fully invested with NBTA.

I joined the NBTA committee in 2019 as I wanted to give something back to the sport that had given my daughter so many incredible experiences.

I have spent the last few years managing the athletes check in area ensuring all competitors are in the right place at the right time to perform at both regional and national competitions. This system enables competitions to run efficiently and safely and it is a great way to get to know the athletes and help them mentally prepare.

I was lucky enough to join the UTE committee and help deliver our first international competition as hosts in Liverpool which was an incredible event. I also managed a team of exceptional volunteers who ran the athletes check in for the whole competition where we met so many new people from all over the world.

I am passionate about promoting and growing our sport to enable new athletes in the future to have the chance to make the best memories, friendships and experience the incredible opportunities baton twirling provides for everyone in the world of baton twirling.

BUSINESS MANAGER

DENISE PEARSE

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DENISE PEARSE

I first came involved as a parent of a child who joined a new baton twirling club in Torquay back in 1977. After a couple of years, myself and another mum were asked to take over running the team.

In 1985, I organised the first NBTA twirling camp at Exeter University and was then invited to join the committee, taking over as NBTA Secretary in 1998. Project-managed the highly successful NBTA World Championships, held at the NIA in Birmingham in the year 2000.

In 2014, I was elected as secretary on the WFNBTA EC, through my involvement with NBTA Europe. During this time, I compiled the competition entries & set the competition schedule for the WFNBTA WCs held in 2015, 2018 & 2022.

For many years, I was England Team manager and tabulator at NBTA competitions. WFNBTA and WBTF committee members formed the IBTF steering committee in 2013.

NBTA England & BBTSA committee members formed UTE and together we hosted the initial IBTF World Baton Twirling Championships, held in Liverpool in 2023. Very excited now for the future of baton twirling within England.

COMMS MANAGER

LIZ MOUZER

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LIZ MOUZER

I began my involvement with twirling back in 2006 when my daughter joined a local club here in Gorleston, Norfolk. She simply fell in love with the sport and as she progressed, I was given the opportunity both locally and then nationally to become a part of twirling too.

For several years I was one of England Squad Managers, supporting the athletes through their international journeys and arranging the travel, hotels and indeed anything that was needed whilst they were competing and For many of you, you might only recognise my voice rather than my face, as I have for many years now announced at competitions in our Area as well as at our major domestic competitions. It’s also an absolute joy to watch our athletes perform and to watch them all grow and progress in the sport they love as well.

For the past 5 years, I’ve also had a key role for the delivery of information via our social media platforms and am honoured to continue in this role and lead the UTE Comms & Marketing Team, who are a fantastic group of people with extraordinary skills, who use their knowledge and experience to continue to promote the world of baton twirling.

Having been a part of the incredibly successful first international competition as UTE in Liverpool, I am really excited to see how we can continue to grow baton twirling and showcase our sport to its full potential.

SPONSORSHIP MANAGER

ANN CULLUM

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ANN CULLUM

I have been involved in the world of Twirling for 35 years since my two daughters both started twirling back in 1989.

Several of you may already know me as the “Raffle Lady “ at National Competitions or one of the organisers of our local area competitions.

As a Club leader too, I see our sport at a grassroots level from young beginner athletes up to the more senior advanced athletes & try to encourage the fun aspect to drive their enthusiasm & determination to improve.

In 2023 UTE hosted the IBTF World Championships & Nations Cup here in the UK in Liverpool & I was instrumental in securing the M&S Bank Arena as host venue, venues for delegates & athletes’ receptions, the light show, together with various products for the event through Sponsorships & Commissions.

As our two associations now come together as UTE, I am looking forward to an exciting future ahead as we all help to develop & grow our membership.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

ZOEY GASKIN

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ZOEY GASKIN

I have been involved in baton twirling since a young age. My journey from an athlete to a coach, judge, and clinician at various levels. Serving on the National Executive committee of the BBTSA since 2009, I have been instrumental in shaping the direction of the sport within the organisation.

I have had roles on the European judge commission of the WBTF and collaboration with the IBTF in developing the judging system. I was honoured with a special recognition award from the WBTF in 2023.

As a clinician, I have played a crucial role in the professional education and development of the BBTSA, delivering knowledge both domestically and internationally. Leading the technical committee.

My dedication to baton twirling is unwavering, and I look forward to the future with enthusiasm, eager to continue making a positive impact on the sport I love.

MEMBER AT LARGE

MAXINE HALFORD

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MAXINE HALFORD

I've been involved in twirling for the last 50 years, as an athlete and then a judge and coach within both the BBTSA and NBTA. I have taught generations of athletes from first time twirlers through to seeing them take the floor as international athletes.

I have vast experience of both judging and coaching, having been part of the technical board for NBTA Europe for several years supporting teacher and judges development, for baton twirling and majorettes, as well as supporting judges courses within the IBTF.

It's a privilege to be involved in the UTE and develop this organisation to become something special, and the place for future generations to come and make lifelong friendships and enjoy this exciting sport of baton twirling.

MEMBER AT LARGE

JENNA SPICER

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JENNA SPICER

As an athlete from the age of 7, an only child, twirling was my introduction to an entirely new world. A world that was mine, different to my parents and school friends. An activity that promoted fitness, gave me a new circle of friends, a busy timetable of extracurricular activities and taught me the importance of teamwork, responsibility and commitment.

Teams were always my favourite event and I have been lucky enough to represent England in both European and World Championships.

I have been judging since 1999, internationally since 2002. Judging also for majorettes from 2006-2012. In 2015 I became a European levels assessor and I have sat on the NBTA Technical Board as the Judging Coordinator since 2017.

As part of the Executive Committee, I have been involved in the formation of UTE and I am incredibly excited for all of us working together for the future of Baton Twirling.

MEMBER AT LARGE

CHRIS WELLS

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CHRIS WELLS

I first became involved in twirling around 1990 when my daughter joined Phoenix Royals in Hertford. She absolutely loved it and participated in several organisations competitions before joining NBTA a couple of years later in 1993. As time progressed I became involved, first with helping out at regional competitions and then by joining the committee.

Over the next couple of decades, I was privileged to be membership secretary, vice chairman and chairman. This involved my representing NBTA both at a national level and an international level.

It is now an extremely exciting time with the birth of UTE and i look forward to my involvement as a committee member moving forward

Meet the team… introducing United Twirl England’s Executive Committee who between them have many years of experience in the World of baton twirling. Using their knowledge and experience they will work together for the benefit of the membership to ensure the success of United Twirl England for all.