John was born in Islington and brought up in Merseyside, raised by my Greek parents. Despite growing up in a tough and challenging environment he managed to progress at school and graduated at university. His career started off in hotel management and then adapted and progressed to successfully running a leading London fashion company with a multi-million-pound turnover per year, with over 80% export. He then made the bold, yet life changing move to found Sporting Inspirations CIC to give back and make a positive difference to transform young people’s lives.

From his life experiences, he is driven and passionate that children and young people should achieve their aspirations, whilst improving their health and lifestyles, no matter what their abilities. He loves sports and throughout his life have done an extensive amount of voluntary work and still do! Additionally, he has over fourteen years’ experience as a governor/director at John Warner School in Hoddesdon.

His key roles have been setting up the company strategies and being the chief instigator in attracting funding, partnership building and networking. I have set up many award-winning projects that have transformed the lives of the young people and the communities they live in, especially working closely with housing associations which share the same ethos and synergy. This is all down to teamwork and being part of a strong and positive partnership network. We have an amazing team of all backgrounds at Sporting Inspirations CIC!

He shares his life experiences by giving motivational talks with the Prince's Trust and other partner agencies, to help inspire young people to maximise their potential. His knowledge has helped me to adapt and become versatile with a strong-willed survival instinct despite many obstacles that we face in life, such as the recent pandemic. I believe, where there’s light, there is always a way!

He has a professional yet humorous approach to life and he can speak four different languages, plus Scouse! I am a lifelong Arsenal fan and season ticket holder for over 30 years, despite growing up on Merseyside. However, his guilty pleasure is supporting his beloved Tranmere Rovers to maintain my Merseyside connection!

Pierre

Henry-Fontaine

Activity Leader for East Herts Multi-Sports

Pierre Henry Fontaine is a confident and highly resourceful individual with over twelve years of experience in the private care sector (specialising in clients with Autism). Over the last decade, he has devised and run programs, which utilise sports as their foundation to increase the mental, physical and social confidence of his client base.

As part of his Sports Zone project (commissioned by Dimensions), he has implemented a MATP (Motor Assisted Training Program) to improve and develop young peoples fine motor skills, special awareness and social confidence using sports equipment and activities.

Pierre discovered his love for basketball at the age of 11 years old after seeing an image of Michael Cooper (former Lakers player) performing a dunk. Pierre decided that he wanted to re-enact the trick and started to explore the sport. An older friend of his (Anton Fraser) was an avid player and Pierre used to watch his every move and admire his skill with the ball.

He began practicing everyday with his younger brother and honed his skills which lead him to be selected to join a local team Bromyard Blitz at 12 years old. Through his passion and determination, Pierre impressed his coaches and scouts alike and progressed from the local league to London Towers U15 team. After impressing his coach, Pierre transferred to the Chessington Wild Cats at 15 and played for their U17 and U19 teams and then onto the Ealing Tornados U17 team where his skill and talent became the talk of the basketball community.

At 16 years old Pierre was invited to the premier basketball tournament; 'Rough & Ready' where the best players from across the UK came to compete - on his debut appearance Pierre helped to lead his U17 team to victory.

At 19 years old Pierre was drafted to play for Philadelphia Christian Academy in the US and following the season he returned to London to play for his home team Ealing Tornados U20s and Men’s Div.3 winning the Div. 3 championships that year. After returning from his 2nd season in the US at Bossier Community College, Pierre was recruited to the England Men’s team and travelled across Europe representing his country in preparation for the Commonwealth Games 2005. He also went on to play two seasons at Milton Keynes Lions now called London Lions (BBL).

Pierre went on to win the prestigious Midnight Madness Competition in association with Nike a total of 4 times and he is regarded as one of the best players to ever grace the Midnight Madness stage.

Following his retirement as a professional basketball player, he went on to coach young aspiring players at the University of West London both men’s and Women’s teams. He also works for sporting inspirations as a mentor at a Pupil referral unit as well as providing half term activities in partnership with Hertfordshire Council for disadvantaged youth. Pierre is also a qualified personal trainer/ life performance coaching training professional athletes, people with disabilities and your everyday person with health and fitness goals. Pierre also works as a private chef and also works in partnership with Sports for Champions as an Athlete ambassador promoting health and fitness sessions to inspire the next generation.