committee

Meet the team behind the football club

Arno Canale - President

I am honoured to have been asked to take on the role as President of Falmouth Youth Community Football Club.

Since retiring from coaching football and running the club for many years, I have seen it develop and evolve into a fantastic " Community " organisation, run by a great team of people.

Setting up the club has not always been easy...I therefore see my role as listening and offering support and encouragement to the Committee, Coaches and Officers of the club.

I usually attend the Community Football session once a month and try to chat to parents. I also hope to try to get to at least one match this year for each team. So if you see me around please come up and chat to me!

Janine Kennedy - Chairperson

I am a very proud chairperson of Falmouth Community Youth Football Club. I have been part of community football since my eldest son joined Arno’s community training sessions on Saturday mornings back in 2011.

Since that time, all 3 of my children have grown to love football, established great friendships and have learnt so much about being part of a team.

I have always had a firm belief in having free access to sport and feel that this lies within the heart of the community. I believe that every child should be given the opportunity to participate

and learn through sports and I believe that football teaches so many core skills.

I feel so privileged to be working within such a fantastic community club and with incredible coaches and a dynamic committee who all share these values. Everyone works so hard to promote the FA code of conduct and RESPECT principles. I feel this helps to make our club so special by creating a happy and safe environment for the children to learn their football skills.

Penny Hodgson - Secretary

Both my boys are big football fans and have been members of the club since starting training with Arno on Tregenver field back in 2012.

I didn't used to be much of a football fan but things have changed since realising how exciting it is watching my children play a football match!

I wanted to get involved but my skills don't lie in playing the game. I am very proud to have been given the opportunity to be secretary for this great club- to provide free football in a safe and inclusive environment.

It is a big responsibility but I am thoroughly enjoying

the challenge, helped enormously by the fantastic committee and coaches I work with.

Meg Salt - Treasurer

My sons have been a part of Falmouth Community since 2018 and they have thrived within the club thanks to the wonderful coaches and amazing committee members who work so hard to make it all happen. The club has grown very quickly and when the Treasurer role came up I wanted to give something back to the club and am hugely grateful to Paul for volunteering to share the role. As a Chartered Accountant I can use my skills to support the financial side of the club alongside Paul. I love the positive attitude and supportive culture of this wonderful club which has children at the very heart.

Paul Bannister - Treasurer

I have been involved with the club since my son joined in the summer of 2022 and I currently help coach the Merlins team he is a member of.

Having seen the positive impact the club has upon all those that are part of the club, I was pleased to be able to offer to help look after the club’s finances together with Meg. I believe that my background as a Chartered Financial Planner helps to give me some perspective in the role however, am grateful for the support of Meg and the other Committee members in helping to make sure that the club can continue to offer the best environment for children to enjoy football.

Caroline Moyses - Welfare Officer

I am one of your newly appointed Welfare Officers. My son James joined community football in 2017 and has played with the club ever since.

I am excited to be part of the Falmouth Youth Community Football Club ‘family’ and I am looking forward to my role in helping to safeguard your children. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and I hope to help with that in finding the right people, raising awareness and dealing with concerns within this grassroots football club.

Safeguarding adults and children is also a part of my ‘day job’ so I hope to be able to use my skills and experience towards safeguarding in sports.

Please feel free to contact me at any time with your concerns.

You will find me off the pitch, not on!

Hannah Martin - Welfare Officer

I’ve been involved with this amazing community football club through both of my boys. The high quality coaching and being part of a sporting community has given them so much confidence and enjoyment of the beautiful game.

As a Welfare Officer I aim to ensure the children get to play in a safe, fun and inclusive club. I am looking forward to seeing the children grow and progress as footballers and young people.

Michelle Bennett - Fixtures Coordinator

I've been part of Falmouth Community since 2019 when my son joined. I first started to help manage the Whitehawks which he is part of in 2021.. My husband is the coach of the Whitehawks so it's a true family affair.

One of my daughters also joined the club in 2021, trains with the Jays and has thrived ever since.

Falmouth Community is infectious, our love for the club and what is offers grows year upon year, it's inclusive, fun and feels like we're part of a huge family.

Seeing the positive impact that Falmouth Community has had on my children, fostering a love for football, creating new friendships and helping them to love a team sport I wanted to give something back so when the role of Fixtures Coordinator came up, I was happy to offer my assistance.

Karen Yems - Fundraising Co-ordinator

As all my three sons have been members of this amazing club over recent years, I was delighted when a role emerged that enabled me to help out. I have to confess that I was not a fan of football as such, but have found it thrilling watching our members play and seeing how rewarding and beneficial it is for them.

My boys have each made a raft of new friends through our club and my middle son very much enjoys the fun and challenge of playing within a league. As the club provides a free, fun session on Saturday mornings, as well as weekly team training, we aim to provide a way for all children in Falmouth's community to enjoy the game.

We are committed to keeping our Saturday sessions free so we are always looking for donations or for involvement from local business. If you think you can help, please do get in touch!

Ashley Blakely-May - Head Coach

I say every week that I genuinely have the best job on the committee. I’m fortunate enough to be part of a group of coaches who all aspire to give the children the best possible opportunity of enjoying their football.

Being the head coach and on the committee of this football club makes me extremely proud. I started my football journey here when I began training with Arno as a child, and I’m passionate about giving something back to the community that’s given me so much.

Ian Mitchell - Parent Rep

Attending Committee Meetings to represent the voices of parents and guardians within the club.

Andrew Jenkin - Girls Rep

Both my daughters are at FCYFC, my eldest is in the Finches team that I Manage/Coach. My youngest comes to community on a Saturday.

Football has always been in my life, playing for local teams and also been a FA County Referee.

I started helping with Admin with the Finches and helping in a mixed gender group at community. I then started helping coaching in the Finches before being asked to become the Girls Rep. We developed a community girls group which helped develop another girls team 'the Jays'.

The girls group is thriving and I'm committed to doing everything needed to help all the girls at FYCFC.

Zoe Wyatt - Membership Secretary

My daughters joined FCYFC in 2022 and 2023. Since then, they have both grown in confidence and have made new friends with a shared love of football. Despite my non-football background, I have found myself drawn in by the contagious enthusiasm, positivity, and genuine passion from everyone in the club and this made me want to become actively involved.

When the opportunity arose to become the Membership Secretary, I saw this as my chance to contribute to this amazing club.

Mark Averiss - Referee Mentor & Welfare Officer

As a passionate Cornish born and bred Falmouth resident, I have been involved with Falmouth Community Football for many years—first as a parent with my two sons, and more recently as a qualified referee & referee mentor.

I am dedicated to developing match officials and upholding the laws and spirit of the game. Additionally, I serve as a qualified club welfare officer and mental health first aider, committed to promoting well-being in football.

Proud to be actively involved in my community’s football scene.

FALMOUTH COMMUNITY YOUTH FOOTBALL