Staff

Joanna Deagle
Managing Director

Having originally joined CAFE in November 2014, Joanna was appointed as Managing Director two years later.

Joanna’s role at CAFE includes overseeing the growth and development of the organisation, working closely with UEFA and other external stakeholders to deliver CAFE’s works across Europe and beyond.

Joanna has a proven track record of working with football’s governing bodies to ensure that major tournaments and finals are accessible, inclusive and welcoming for a range of disabled spectators.

Under Joanna’s stewardship, CAFE has overseen the organisation’s largest International Conference in Bilbao, the development of the Disability Access Officer role, and the most accessible FIFA World Cup to date.

Prior to joining CAFE, Joanna worked and volunteered for a number of organisations such as Emmaüs France, and their partner organisation in Burkina Faso, the Brazilian Paralympic Team and ReachOut. She is fluent in French and Portuguese.

Michael Rice
Media and Communications Manager

Michael joined CAFE in August 2011, and became the organisation’s first Media and Communications Manager in early 2015.

Throughout his time at CAFE Michael has managed CAFE’s website, social networks and news stories, helping to promote the CAFE message of Total Football #TotalAccess far and wide.

Michael also manages CAFE’s Audio-descriptive Commentary Network and training programme, and the ever-growing CAFE Week of Action – celebrated in a record 35 countries in 2019.

As the current longest serving member of the CAFE team, Michael has supported on planning and hosting International Conferences, the creation of publications such as the Disability Access Officer handbook, and promoting CAFE’s wider works around major tournaments and Finals.

Michael has previous experience working with an English Premier League academy, and is a Director of a non-league football club.

Jochen Kemmer
DAO Project Manager

Jochen joined the CAFE team in July 2017 to manage our works around the development of the Disability Access Officer role.

Jochen has provided expert guidance and training to national associations, leagues and clubs to support the effective implementation of the role across Europe. He has delivered training in over 25 countries, and remains in regular contact with stakeholders to facilitate the exchange of best practices.

Having initiated the creation of the European DAO Network Group, Jochen has also hosted workshops with the aim of developing a collaborative strategy and further promote the DAO role.

To foster further collaboration and cooperation, Jochen has initiated a number of exchange meetings between DAOs around UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches. He also offers important support and advice to DAOs on an ongoing basis.

Jochen has a wealth of experience within sport, working and volunteering with organisations including the International University Sports Federation, International Motorcycling Federation and Special Olympics. He is fluent in Spanish, English, French and German with a good knowledge of Portuguese.

Esther Jones Russell
Global Project Coordinator

Esther initially joined the CAFE team in February 2017 as our Eastern European Development Officer, and became Global Project Coordinator in April 2019.

As a fluent Russian speaker, Esther played a key role in our works around the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as well as the works taking place in legacy of the Finals. Esther liaised with a number of key stakeholders in the region, and led on an access appraisal training programme for the Russian Football Union.

Esther has also led on CAFE's works around inclusive employment within the game, and is in regular discussions with stakeholders such as the Business Disability Forum to shape our strategy in this area.

In her position as Global Project Coordinator, Esther will be taking an active role in developing our works outside of Europe. She will be liaising with national associations across the world, looking to raise further awareness and ultimately improve access and inclusion for all disabled fans.

Esther has worked and volunteered at a number of international sports events, including the 2014 Winter Olympics, is a committee member for her football club, and the Cultural Events Manager for The Festival of Football, a non-profit festival celebrating the women's game. As well as Russian, she is also fluent in Czech.

Amy Wilson
Fans Liaison, Access and Administration Officer

Amy joined CAFE in February 2016 as our Administration and Project Support Officer, before taking on her current role later that year.

As part of her role, Amy has supported with the planning and arrangements for events such as the third International CAFE Conference. Amy led on the registration process, and liaised with delegates to confirm their travel and accommodation plans.

Amy has carried out a number of stadium access appraisals across Europe, making recommendations to stadiums, clubs and national associations on how they can improve access. She is also the main point of contact for disabled fans and disabled supporters associations to share their matchday experiences, or to seek access information at a particular stadium.

Ahead of each season's UEFA competition Finals, Amy prepares our Disabled Spectators' Guides for host venues and cities. Amy is also supporting UEFA with preparations for UEFA EURO 2020.

Amy is a long-standing member of an English Premier League club's DSA, and has vast experience of attending live matches across Europe as a disabled fan.

Isobel Robins
Research Officer

Isobel joined the CAFE team in June 2019 as a Research Intern, and became our full-time Research Officer in October 2019.

Since joining the CAFE team, Isobel has taken on a number of research projects, including accepted proofs of disability across the world and commonly used disability terminology in line with the social model approach.

Isobel has also supported the wider CAFE team with work on stadium access appraisals and disability inclusion and etiquette training.

Isobel graduated from the University of Manchester with a first-class degree in 2019, and is an avid rugby union player and fan.

Before joining CAFE, Isobel has previously worked as a coach and support worker for differently disabled people. She also has experience working on research projects about access to healthcare, refugees, female sexuality in sports, and discrimination.