voluntary Directors
Jody Francis
I started twirling 1989, in 1999 I took over as Troupe Leader and Trainer at the Crystal Coronets Majorettes based in Hockley fulfilling an ambition to run my own majorette team. Following this I achieved my dream of becoming a Judge, Examiner and Instructor. I’ve been lucky enough to compete over many years achieving many major awards in my twirling career including Supreme Twirler in 2001. Many things have changed since first picking up a baton in 1989 but there has been one constant; my love of twirling.
Samantha Brightwell
In 1979, my nan took me to my first baton twirling lesson and my love for twirling grew from there. During my twirling career I won many awards, titles and appeared on TV. In 1988, I became the trainer for the Crown Spinners and from this, I have coached many others to achieve their dreams and goals. For me, baton twirling gives twirlers a sense of belonging and teaches from a young age to be brave, set goals and work as a team. It is wonderful to see twirlers of my generation share their love of twirling with their own children and grandchildren.
Our values - Integrity | Unity | Passion | Joy | Excellence
The Majorette & Twirling Union (MTU) is built upon and upheld by the core values of integrity, unity, passion, joy and excellence. We believe in working with integrity and demonstrating a wholeness of character in every action and plan. We act in unity, valuing teamwork in all relationships. Passion drives every facet of the MTU, carrying out competitions and activities with power and purpose. The MTU strives to spark joy by cultivating memories filled with pleasure and delight for the entire community. Finally, the culmination of all these values leads to excellence in all our endeavours.
Guided by these core values, our Voluntary Directors, Troupes and Members are encouraged to demonstrate this wholeness of character, teamwork, developing power and purpose, and inspiring pleasure and delight from each twirler. Each of the voluntary MTU Judges, Twirling Consultants and Assessors have been hand-selected upon a set of stringent criteria. At the same time, our Voluntary Directors & Twirling Consultants work alongside our troupes to help instil the MTU strategy and coaching philosophy supported by these values.
We are committed to working hard to embody the following where ever it is practicably possible to do so;
We are generous givers, not self-serving takers.
This is where the important lesson of teamwork is learned.
We will have fun.
Hard work and fun can play on the same field. If your team has fun in the process of being challenged, they will learn to love the sport.
We will be committed.
This applies to showing up for training & competitions, having each others’ backs, and doing your best to help the team be better.
We will persevere.
Giving up easily is not an option. You’re a team, after all.
We will communicate.
At training or competitions, on the side lines, or in the changing room, we will be clear, honest and respectful. We will not assume that our teammates or coaches know something; we will be SURE they do.
We will trust each other.
Trust that is earned and given freely can add a whole new level of cooperation and performance to the team.
SOPHIE - MTU FIRST AIDER
I have been working in the NHS for nearly 10 years, started off working with one of our very own MTU Directors (Sam taught me all of my basics). I have worked in 2 different A&E’s as a Healthcare Assistant for many years, the last 3.5 years I have been working frontline for the Ambulance Service as Emergency Medical Technician.
I have a many qualifications, ranging from minor injuries/illness treatment to life support for all age groups and everything in between.
I was a majorette for nearly 15 years, ending with my lovely CBCs in 2020, so I am aware of the injuries that can occur. Twirling and competing is a safe space and you should always know that you have someone there to support you if something was to go wrong and I hope to be one of them people.
Thank you to both Jody and Sam for allowing me to be a part of the MTU community and trusting me with this role. Hopefully you will never have to need me but I will help whenever and wherever I can.
communications & contacts
Volunteers
Directors
Jody Francis - jody@majoretteandtwirling.co.uk
Samantha Brightwell - sam@majoretteandtwirling.co.uk
Safeguarding Lead - Emma Jones
Lead Adjudicator - Kerry John
Assistant Adjudicator - Charlotte Trinder
Facilities Manager - Keith Kendall
Questions
Any questions regarding rules, music, policies etc should be emailed to the MTU Directors and will be responded to within one week
Complaints Procedure
If you have a complaint following an MTU event you must follow the complaints process which can be found in the Policy Documents.
• Complaints received by any other means will not be responded to.