Our management STRUCTURE

Margaret Whitehead

Margaret Whitehead trained to teach physical education and taught in school and lectured at Universities. Her principal study has been in philosophy and in 1987 she completed her PhD which looked at the views of Existentialists and Phenomenologists in relation to our embodiment and the implication of these views for Physical Education. Since retiring in 2000 she has built on the PhD study and worked to develop the concept of physical literacy. She was recently awarded an Honorary Degree and a Visiting Professor position from the University of Bedfordshire in recognition of this innovative work. Margaret has lead the work on Physical Literacy worldwide, writing two seminal texts and presenting widely across the world.

Nigel Green

Nigel Green is currently a physical education and physical literacy consultant having been a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education at Liverpool John Moores University from 2009 – 2018. He taught physical education in four secondary schools for 29 years prior to this, during this time he led three departments, a faculty (including PE, Art, Music, Dance and Drama) and a networked community. Nigel has been involved in training teachers and providing professional development for over thirty years, in the UK and more recently in India, Taiwan and many other countries worldwide. As Chair of the International Physical Literacy Association, Vice Chair of the North Western Counties Physical Education Association, and UK representative and Executive Committee member of the European Union Physical Education Association, Nigel demonstrates a commitment and passion to promote and support the development of physical education and physical literacy worldwide. He has written articles, delivered CPD, organised and presented at workshops, webinars and conferences on physical literacy and physical education. Nigel is editor of the Research Matters section of the AfPE journal and is currently working with schools, organisations, and governments both in the UK and across the world.

Trevor Smith

Trevor is owner and Managing Director of SPORTSMITH Ltd – a physical activity consultancy. His professional background spans voluntary, public and private sector engagement with youth services, leisure and sports development and elite sport. His work currently includes supporting the creation of active environments for major developers, using physical literacy as its underpinning philosophy, supporting the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum with its activation and physical literacy engagement programmes, and providing equality, diversity and inclusion mentoring for a number of sports bodies in the UK.

Olivia Flemons

Olivia Flemons is a Ph.D. Researcher in the Institute of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Bedfordshire, UK. She holds a First Class Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Chichester in Sport and Exercise Psychology. She is a dedicated and passionate professional with a strong background in physical activity, sport, and health. She brings seven years of experience in physical activity development through her roles as an instructor, representative and sport development worker. Her primary goal is to facilitate encouragement of long-term and meaningful value towards physical activity and movement, to improve holistic health outcomes. Her expertise lies in program design, youth engagement, and community outreach. Olivia thrives on collaboration and on working closely with individuals and organizations, to design and implement effective strategies to improve physical activity and movement behaviours for health. Her drive to make a difference, combined with extensive knowledge in positive psychology for sport and physical activity equips her to lead impactful projects and initiatives, such as her current project she is leading on Physical Literacy for Active Communities. Olivia is dedicated to contributing to the growth and empowerment of healthy happy places, through active community development.

Jim Jenkinson

Jim is a qualified primary school teacher (PE specialism) and a Lead Practitioner in PE for Derbyshire County Council. Jim works independently in primary PE teacher training and in developing Orienteering for schools/youth organisations.

Jim’s passion to share a broader understanding of physical literacy has grown over the last 8 years, starting with the introduction of the real PE curriculum at the school where Jim was teaching.  Since then, Jim has led a number of workshops for primary PE leads, Headteachers and Governors on physical literacy and the impact it can have on a whole school community.   Jim works alongside primary teachers, to explore how physical literacy can become the goal of their PE teaching & learning.

Jim is currently a trustee for two charitable trusts and previously worked for YMCA England & Wales as the national lead for Governance. Jim’s work with the YMCA extended to India, Ukraine, Denmark and Czech Republic.
Jim joined the IPLA Board of Trustees in the summer of 2024 and to bring his previous experience, current work and voluntary governance roles to help the IPLA to fulfil its objectives and particularly help the primary school community become more aware of all IPLA can offer. Jim identifies the similarities between the physical literacy movement and the YMCA movement, with local and national interpretations reflecting their cultures and needs, whilst all constituents share the core values and ethos.

Amit Malik

Amit Malik has been a contributor to physical literacy, physical education and sports areas for more than 10 years, working on the advocacy, education, training and on-ground implementation of Physical Literacy in India. He has worked on different physical literacy initiatives with Sports Departments, Education Departments, Not-for-profit organizations, Universities, Schools, Corporate and Communities. He has contributed to physical literacy orientation/training sessions for more than 50000 Physical Education teachers/students across India. He has supported inclusion of Physical Literacy in multiple sports and education policies at center and state level in India.

Amit was a member of the committee to discuss National Sports Education Board. Committee was constituted by the Ministry of Sports in India. He has contributed to defining the Sports Policy for the state of Andhra Pradesh, with Physical Literacy as a core pillar. He has contributed to coaches’ education initiatives touching upon “Physical literacy lens in sports programs”. He has supported Indian Paralympians since 2015 in various capacities.

Amit has been part of the core team of Pullela Gopichand and Nagapuri Ramesh since 2016. Pullela Gopichand has been a torch bearer of physical literacy initiative in India.  Amit is also a Master Trainer at Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust for International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Values Education Program (OVEP).

Amit completed a Doctoral Fellowship in Management from Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon. He has published case studies in Harvard Business School Journal and articles in leading business newspapers and journals. Amit previously completed his bachelor’s in technology in Computer Science.

Karen Rhys-Jones

Physical literacy first appeared to practitioners in Wales as part of the Physical Literacy Programme for Schools (PLPS) (Sport Wales, 2014) and as a manager on the PLPS Programme Karen was immersed in the concept of physical literacy. She worked across Wales to support teachers and practitioners as well as local authority colleagues, coaches and volunteers to equip children and young people with confidence, skills and knowledge to enjoy and engage in physical activity, physical education and sport. As a Sport Wales Physical Literacy Consultant Karen and colleagues developed a national Community Physical Literacy Workshop working with National Governing Bodies and National Organisations. Karen is currently involved in a range of national wellbeing projects. Her particular interest is in the development and facilitation of education, training and professional learning opportunities.

Kyle Pushkarenko

Dr. Pushkarenko is an Assistant Professor in the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He holds Bachelor of Science (Kinesiology) and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, a Master of Arts (Adapted Physical Education) degree from McGill University, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Adapted Physical Activity) from the University of Alberta. He possesses over 15 years of practical experience in program planning in the areas of activity, exercise, and recreation for individuals of various ages and abilities, and over 10 years of administrative experience in coordinating and facilitating community-based adapted physical activity programs for individuals, ranging in age from youth to older adults.

Dr. Pushkarenko’s research interests are vast with respect various impairment types and contextual settings; however his primary areas of interest include inclusive physical literacy theory and practice, ableism in adapted and inclusive physical activity programming, and the “insider’s” point of view to adapted physical activity program development and design. His research and views on physical literacy and adapted physical activity have been presented both internationally and nationally. He is an active advocate for adapted physical activity and physical literacy development for all children experiencing disability, and specifically for those having developmental impairments.

Natalie Weir

Natalie Weir is an ardent advocate for the magic of movement and a physical literacy-informed approach. With experience ranging from school and sports development to being on the senior leadership team of a National Governing Body of Sport in the UK, Natalie is passionate about challenging the current state of physical education and promoting a more holistic approach to supporting young people’s physical development.

Natalie is also chief playmaker and mother of 2 children which has further instilled in her the importance of movement opportunities from a young age. Following this trail, Natalie is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Derby, exploring the relationship between physical activity and physical literacy in 3-5-year-olds and has recently become the early years lead for the IPLA.

Ignacio Sabatè

Ignacio supports the IPLA as our ambassador for Costa Rica, working with Govt bodies to build the influence of Physical Literacy in the development of broader sporting policy, youth athletics development. Ignacio holds an MBA in Industrial Engineering.

Efstathios Christodoulides

Efstathios supports the IPLA as our ambassador for Cyprus, alongside his lecturing in Sports and Exercise Science at UCLan (University of Central Lancashire) Cyprus. Efstathios holds a PHD in Sport and Social Sciences and an Med in Physical Education, as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Efstathios is a Fulbright Scholar and a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science. His work is focused on the notion of physical literacy and physical education, the understanding of contemporary sport and physical culture and physical activity in relation to science and technology.

Raymond Sum

Raymond Kim-Wai SUM supports the IPLA as our ambassador for Hong Kong, as a Member of Education and Training Committee; International Representative (Hong Kong). As an Associate Professor, his specific areas of research cover 1) physical literacy and its application in different populations; 2) professionalization of physical education teachers and their learning communities; and 3) elite athletes’ career and their lives.

Peter Elsborg

Peter supports the IPLA as our ambassador for Denmark, whilst holding a Joint position at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and Center for Clinical Research and Prevention External lecturer Department of Nutrition, Sport and Exercise, University of Copenhagen. Peter is a dynamic and committed researcher, teacher and presenter, educated cand.scient, PhD. Peter’s research involves a wide range of aspects important to children’s movement behaviour such as Physical Literacy and especially the psychological aspects. Peter’s expertise includes validating and developing instruments measuring psychological constructs and evaluating interventions with the aim of improving children’s 24-hour movement behaviour. Peter is a founding member and contact person of the National Danish Physical Literacy organisation PL-Net (www.pl-net.dk). Peter plays tennis, padel tennis, football or go for a run whenever he gets the chance.

Ashish Kumar

Ashish Kumar Rawat is the Country Lead for the International Physical Literacy Association (IPLA) in India. As an IPLA Ambassador, he has spearheaded numerous impactful projects alongside the Indian team, collaborating with universities, schools, and communities to promote physical literacy. His passion for transforming perceptions of physical education and advocating for a holistic approach to its delivery across schools, colleges, universities, corporates, and communities has been instrumental in driving meaningful change.

Currently serving as the Head of the Department for Physical Education and Sports at The Heritage School, Ashish manages curriculum development, recruitment, and the execution of physical literacy programs. He also oversees sports enrichment clubs and annual budgeting, ensuring a dynamic and well-rounded physical education framework.

Ashish’s educational journey includes a Master’s in Olympic Studies from the University of Peloponnese in Greece, specializing in Olympic Education, Event Organization, and Management. His qualifications are further bolstered by advanced degrees in physical education, yoga education, and philosophy from top Indian institutions. Certified as a Duke of Edinburgh Award IAYP Trainer and a Certified Behavioural Event Interviewer, Ashish brings a versatile and innovative approach to his work.

As a Master Trainer for the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Value Education Program in India, Ashish has played a key role in spreading the principles of Olympism nationwide. His remarkable contributions have been recognized with accolades such as the Sport India Award, an International Referee certification from the International Kurash Association, and a Black Belt in Judo. A dedicated researcher and author, he has published extensively in respected journals.

Beyond his professional life, Ashish finds joy in dancing, traveling, trekking, and exploring new cultures and people. His love for adventure and connecting with diverse communities fuels his creativity and broadens his perspective, enriching both his personal and professional endeavors. His unwavering commitment to reshaping physical education and fostering Olympic values continues to inspire and lead transformational efforts in the field.

Dr Johannes Carl

Dr Johannes Carl is a passionate sport and health scientist from Germany who is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow at Deakin University, Australia. Still cultivating strong links to Germany, he develops, tests, and advances holistic interventions to promote individuals’ physical activity through physical literacy. His work covers a range of sectors (such as physical education, community sport, rehabilitation) and groups across the lifespan. He has conducted large-scale analyses on the adoption of physical literacy in research, practice and policy across Europe (EUROPLIT 1.0 and 2.0) and currently leads the development of the first Global Physical Literacy (GloPL) Action Framework in collaboration with experts from 58 countries and 20 societies.

Tom Englén

Tom Englén is the director of Change the Game, a Swedish non-profit foundation that uses physical literacy as a compass when supporting stakeholders from all kinds of sectors in developing programs, places, and training ”movement opportunity providers”. He has been advocating for physical literacy and working on developing and implementing projects, programs, events, and cross-sector collaborations for Change the Game and its partners since the start in 2014.”

Vassiliki Riga

Vassiliki is a Professor at the Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education at the University of Patras, where she also serves as Director of the Laboratory of Pedagogical Research and Lifelong Education. Her academic focus is on Theatrical Expression, Rhythm, and Movement in Early Childhood Education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sports Science from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as a Master’s degree and PhD in Educational Sciences from the University of Strasbourg, France.

She is deeply passionate about promoting movement from the early years, believing it to be a vital foundation for overall development, lifelong health and well-being. Over the past 35 years, she has been involved in several impactful initiatives, both locally and internationally. These include the establishment of the Network for Physical Literacy in Greece, the development of a university module on Physical Literacy, the organisation of training programmes for teachers at all educational levels, and contributions to various publications and projects.

She believes that Physical Literacy fosters optimism and hope by promoting the idea that a better quality of life is achievable through respecting the body’s fundamental need for movement. It deepens our understanding of the role of movement in human life and offers a pathway to lifelong well-being, social participation and personal growth.

Gillian Bartle

Gillian met Margaret Whitehead in 1995 at a philosophy of sport and physical education (PE) conference. She was already reading Whitehead’s PhD thesis wherein the philosophical contributions to PE infused Gillian’s Master of Philosophy degree in Assessment in PE in Scotland. The love of attuning research approaches to how to investigate movement continues in her current work.

Gillian’s PhD research is a sociomaterialist, posthuman inquiry into whether and how primary teacher education students are enacting physical literacy. Gillian has over 35 years’ experience in teaching, teacher education and further education and has worked with sports coaching and primary education students delivering the IPLA’s Foundation Course in her practice. An Olympic scholar, Gillian’s research interests span philosophy of sport and education, values education, wellbeing, and postqualitative inquiry. As Lead of the Special Interest Group (Research), Gillian welcomes your information relating to funding, PhD, and research outcomes/opportunities, information that she can share in blogs or posts via the IPLA.

Dr Saeed Valadi

Saeed Valadi serves as an ambassador for physical literacy and is recognized as a leading figure in advancing this field in Iran. Holding a Ph.D. in Motor Behavior, he has dedicated his career to pioneering research, innovative teaching, and strategic initiatives in child development, motor behavior, physical literacy, and physical education.

He has translated and authored key works, including Physical Literacy (by Dr. Margaret Whitehead) and Developmental Physical Education for All Children, successfully bridging international scholarship with local practice. His research and field projects focus on enhancing children’s motor skills, developing physical literacy, and improving overall quality of life across diverse communities in Iran.

Through collaboration with prominent international scholars, he has led joint research projects and hosted the country’s first international physical literacy webinar, expanding Iran’s scientific and practical engagement with the global community and creating new opportunities for knowledge exchange.

In academia, he is an active lecturer at multiple universities, sharing his expertise and guiding students within dynamic, learning-oriented environments. Recognized as a top talent by the Iran National Elites Foundation, he leverages this position to advance knowledge, foster scientific skills, and contribute to the development of future professionals in the field.