our team.
Meet the people who bring the Pioneer Club to life!
From inspiring teachers to dedicated Trustees, our amazing team works tirelessly to create a safe and supportive environment where young people in the St Albans community can thrive.


Sarah Dyer
Director of Programmes
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Supporting young people has always been Sarah's passion. With over 15 years of experience in youth charities she brings a broad range of expertise and experience to the Pioneer Club. As Director of Programmes, Sarah oversees and delivers key programmes, fundraising and community engagement, and manages the skatepark.
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Jon Prayer
Music and Commercial Director
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Jon brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for music to The Pioneer Club. With a strong history of successful event organisation, he has curated a diverse range of sold-out events here since 2019. Beyond his professional achievements, Jon is committed to using music to positively impact our community programmes.
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Sue Frost
Office Manager
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Sue brings diverse experience from a banking career spanning management, recruitment, and risk. A long-time Pioneer supporter (her sons participated here!), she excels at event planning and understands the needs of skaters, particularly those with ASD. Her work with a charity supporting autistic adults provides unique insights to her role.
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Matt Bigg
Chair of Trustees​
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Matt has worked and lived in St Albans for the last 25+ years. His journey at the Pioneer started in 2001, when he become a volunteer at the skatepark. He has recently returned as a Trustee, helping the Pioneer grow as a youth focused charity, benefitting from a brilliant music venue and host to the UK’s oldest indoor skatepark.
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Jez Farmer
Trustee
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Jez, a long-time St Albans resident, is a dedicated community member. He's a Cub Scout leader, school governor, and local business owner. As a Trustee of The Pioneer Club since 2023, Jez is passionate about its role in community development and youth well-being. He believes in the power of hobbies and activities to enhance personal growth and foster a sense of fun. ​
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Verity Bramwell
Trustee and Secretary
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Verity's extensive experience in the charity sector and youth services, including suicide prevention and addiction support, gives her a deep understanding of the unique challenges young people face. Motivated by her own positive experiences at the Pioneer Club as a teen, Verity is committed to the charity and ensuring future generations have access to the same opportunities.​​​​​

Jojo Godfrey
Trustee
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Jojo brings a wealth of experience to her Trustee role. As a psychologist, she offers a deep understanding of people and their emotions, fostering strong community relationships. Her background includes bar management, DJing, radio hosting, PR, and marketing. All her experience has fostered strong relationship skills, communication and creative problem solving.​​​​
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Tania Rosato
Trustee
Tania has 25 years of experience in Special Education Needs and has taught music at PRUs in both Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Passionate about engaging young people, she's involved in projects like Musical Futures and the Herts. Rock and Pop project. Tania is an active composer/performer who's worked with renowned artists, from Acker Bilk to the Spice Girls!
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Ele Stevens
Trustee and Treasurer
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Ele is a CIMA-qualified accountant with extensive experience in industry, charity, and practice. She specialises in setting up efficient systems for timely management data. Her passion for music and experience in the creative sector make her an ideal fit for The Pioneer Club.
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Andy Cooper
Trustee
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Andy Cooper lives in London Colney with his wife and two teenage sons. He works in IT security and has been a dedicated trustee of the Pioneer Club for almost 10 years. Outside of work, Andy still DJs drum and bass, and enjoys snowboarding, cycling, and going to gigs.
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Skate Team
Meet the brilliant team who bring the energy and excitement to the Pioneer Skatepark!
Our dedicated instructors are skilled skaters who love sharing their passion with young people. They create a fun and supportive environment where everyone can learn, grow, and express themselves creatively. Get ready to roll with the best!


Charlie Spelzini
Skatepark Manager
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​Charlie Spelzini, a lifelong Pioneer Club member and professional skateboarder for Death Skateboards, has been teaching here for over a decade. He's passionate about sharing his love for skateboarding and creating a positive environment for young people. As Skatepark Manager, Charlie aims to build on The Pioneer Club's legacy and continue to inspire the next generation of skaters.​

Josh
Assistant Skatepark Manager
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Josh has skated Pioneer since 15, now 8 years later, he's still here! He joined the team in 2021, driven by a passion for teaching and community. Josh loves helping others progress and enjoys skating the park himself. He believes The Pioneer's unique sense of community is unmatched!
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Kris
Skate Teacher
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Kris truly enjoys working as a skate coach because he finds it incredibly rewarding to see people improve and gain confidence in their skills. He finds it fulfilling to watch their excitement as they progress. Being able to play a part in their development and helping them to reach new milestones is something which he deeply enjoys and finds very rewarding.​
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Ilirian
Skate Staff
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Ilirian enjoys working in the vibrant atmosphere of the Pioneer Skatepark, witnessing skaters of all ages learn, grow, and connect. He finds the energy and creativity at the skatepark is contagious, and he is inspired by the passion and sportsmanship that he sees every day. He is proud to be part of a community that fosters individual growth and celebrates the joy of skateboarding.​​

Tamar
Skate Staff
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Tamar enjoys being a skate coach at The Pioneer because of the amazing community and great atmosphere there. She finds coaching people incredibly rewarding, and enjoys being part of their skateboarding journey.
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Belinda
Skate Staff
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Belinda loves working at The Pioneer because they have such a great community of people where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves. She finds skate coaching so fulfilling and The Pioneer as a whole is such a rewarding and fun place to work.
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