Our Team

We exist to empower young people to become happy, healthy and community-transformers. There are thousands of young people who can be magnetised by Basketball then led to greater wellbeing and to have a greater impact on their own community.

Our Mission

We work with young people from areas of socio-economic disadvantage, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities backgrounds and a minimum of half of our participants are Female. We target such populations (not excluding others) to tackle disparities in mental health, physical activity and societal-leadership statistics.

We empower young people through engagement in Basketball [BALL] activities, education around mental-and-emotional wellbeing and identity [BE] and facilitation of practical experiences to serve local communities and charitable organisations [BETTER].

Our Supporters and Partners

Our work is supercharged through partnerships and funding!
We acknowledge, honour and thank all of our supporters for enabling us to empower a generation of ‘Guardian Ballers’!

A young lady told me that "she has hope" because saw me go through my challenge and can now see where I am right now.
Courage (Adult Volunteer) , April 2022
A testimony after he had shared in a Girls Community Hub "BE" Session

Our Staff and Executive Leaders

Kieran Joseph

CEO and Founder

Lover of Avocado and Sweet Bubble Tea with Lychee jelly!

Wears other hats of work with communities in Rwanda and Chaplain of a Professional Football Club.

Former Teacher (PGCE, MA Educational Leadership) and multi-faceted champion of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Scott Neely

Projects Manager and Lead Deliverer

‘The American’ who thrives on at least one peanut butter and ‘jelly’ (jam) sandwich per day.

Former professional basketball player and coach competing at highest level in Europe. Also played and coached Coventry Crusaders back in the day.

Though he sounds like he’s not from Coventry, he’s worked in 119 schools over 18 years in the area and seems to know people everywhere he goes. He loves the relational side of working with young people.

Husband and super dad to 3.

Gemma Salmon

Lead Deliverer

Passionate to put God first before anything. I eat drink sleep basketball but am also a huge tennis fan!

By day- a learning mentor in behaviour and inclusion, by night- a superhero.

Huge Philly 76ers (basketball) and Eagles (NFL) fan and I love to inspire and empower young people!

Karen Seleshe

Business Support and Admin

Loves being involved in Basketball at all levels and supporting others with mental issues

Wears other hats including working for the NHS, mother, wife, sister and best friend

Worked within education and table officiating at Basketball courts across the country

Abi Grizzle

Media, Marketing and Communications

Lover of all things fashion and sustainability

Can make a mean coffee and also enjoy supporting Young Adults in my Church and social media managing

Personal shopper, stylist and advocate for mindfulness within ourselves, the environment and our clothing

Andy Ransberry

Lead Deliverer

Lover of Canadian Maple Syrup and Frisbee

Teacher at Northleigh House School – Basketball Coach – School builder and Teacher Trainer in Liberia

Andrew Malone

Director

Spends most of his weekends in a field trying to hit a ball into a hole with a stick.

Senior operations leader with experience in compliance, health and safety and people management.

Emma Sadula

Director

Peanut (and other nuts) butter lover and veggies, especially ones home-grown!
Over 25 years experience in the sport and physical activity environment, including teaching, NGBs, charities and local government.
Massive physical activity and basketball advocate as started as a 9 year old and it has positively shaped all aspects of my life.

Rumbi Bvunzawabaya

Director

I make the best oxtail stew in the world 🌎… so my children tell me! Oxtail and sadza with fresh greens from my vegetable patch.. Nothing beats it!

I carry keys to unlock doors and barriers to access for migrants. I am passionate about empowering marginalised people through my knowledge of law and spiritual gifting.

Solicitor and Founder of Tulia Group CIC.

Susy Ndaruhutse

Strategic Adviser

Lover of coffee, chocolate, guavas and data!

Passionate about changing the systems and structures that result in people being disadvantaged or marginalised.

Previous senior manager in £75m education and skills not-for-profit, and board chair for UK’s education and development forum (UKFIET). Currently independent consultant supporting leaders and organisations on growth, strategy, partnerships and social impact.

Martin Marangu

Director

A project manager with significant experience delivering high value digital transformation initiatives within the Financial Services. Background in Accounting & Finance, but transitioned to the ‘fun’ IT world in Banking.

Out of office, found dreaming of sports (Football and Formula 1). Father of 2 and, when the energetic kids have not exhausted the systems, enjoys a trip to the gym!

Personal mantra: “Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are fingerprints on the Moon”

Steven Hill

Acting 'Critical Friend' to the Executive Board

CEO at CW Mind

Our History

The vision was refined in the fire of family heart-ache, classrooms, international trips and local service.

The PE Teacher, Kieran Joseph, departed his job during the COVID-19 pandemic in a step of faith, leading to a journey that launched a culture-changing mission.

Learn about the story by viewing our Basketball England Article about our Launch Year and Film!

Our Superhero Volunteers and Faithful Friends

Zewe

Chelsea

Gregg

Bose

Aurora

Courage

Kath

Rochelle

Chris

Dawn

Issy

Lordina

Marisha

Mitchelle

Hannah

Raphaella

Get Involved | Help Us To Improve Young People’s Lives

By making a donation to GB, you’ll be supporting the empowering work we do with hundreds of young people in Coventry and Warwickshire each year.

Donate to Guardian Ballers