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The team
Marquita Smith
Executive Director & Co-founder
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What are your pronouns?
She/her.
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How do you identify?
Queer, person of colour.
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How do you keep active?
I enjoy variety in my training. I use boxing, resistance, body weight, and interval training as part of my sessions. I also include a range of stretching and mobility techniques.
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What’s your biggest challenge with fitness and sports?
I sometimes I need to have a word with myself to not give myself a hard time. I’m very patient with other people, but I don’t always afford myself the same courtesy.
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Why did you set up Trans Can Sport?
I have friends and clients in the trans community. I was consistently hearing the same stories about their negative experiences and relationships with sports and fitness. I’ve been a fitness professional for 20 years and fitness has always been a positive part of my life. As an ally, I knew this is where I could support the most.
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Where will we find you?
Looking for future activities for Trans Can Sport, replying to your questions and bookings as well as instructing Trans Can Sport sessions. Outside of TCS I'm a Personal trainer who loves supporting my clients with their sport and fitness goals.
Rory Finn
Executive Director & Co-founder
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What are your pronouns?
I don’t have strong feelings about my pronoun, but generally he/him is the most appropriate. If you're being respectful, I don’t mind what you call me!
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How do you identify?
Genderqueer, male, transmasculine, queer.
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How do you keep active?
I'm a gym regular for weights and general fitness work. I cycle everywhere but try to push myself for longer and more intense rides a few times a month. I go sailing when I can. My favourite Trans Can Sport activity is Trans Can Fight and I've really enjoyed playing badminton too.
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What’s your biggest challenge about fitness and sports?
Getting and staying motivated, especially when I'm tired or after feeling unwell, and definitely when I’m feeling blue.
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Why did you set up Trans Can Sport?
Because I saw the benefits that coaching was having on me, not just for my physical but also my mental health. I struggled for years to get into shape alone. On top of that, knowing the specific challenges of being trans and wanting to help others benefit from similar kinds of support.
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Where will we find you?
Getting involved in anything going! I facilitate some sessions, write our newsletter and deliver the Trans awareness training for Trans Can Sport. Mostly I can be found hatching grand plans with Marquita.
Liz Ridgway
Director & Instructor
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What are your pronouns?
She/her.
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How do you identify?
Queer, trans femme.
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How do you keep active?
I keep myself active through daily workouts and classes that include weights, cardio, core stability and mobility exercises. I'm also an active member of a women's football team, so there's training and game days to look forward to.
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What’s your biggest challenge with fitness and sports?
I've done a few circuits of life and although my mind still feels young, the reality is these days it's all about keeping my body in one piece, avoiding injuries and recovering from them.
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Why did you get involved with Trans Can Sport?
I got involved in Trans Can Sport because I wanted to make a difference to the lives of Trans & Non Binary people. As one of the very few Trans Personal Trainers around the world, I was acutely aware how difficult it was for Trans & Non Binary people to access sports and fitness resources, and more importantly to feel comfortable when accessing those resources. To have the opportunity to facilitate sessions at Trans Can Sport means I'm pursuing my passion to work with Trans & Non Binary people in sport and fitness, with the hope of inspiring others to experience the physiological, mental health and social benefits of participating in sport and fitness activities.
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Where will we find you?
As a Personal Trainer, you're most likely to find me at The Gym Madeira Drive, either training myself or one of my clients. You might also find me taking walks along the seafront or around the local South Downs, or you might see me on a local football pitch with my teammates. You will definitely see me facilitating some of the awesome sessions that TCS organises.
Tigger Blaize
Director & Ambassador
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What are your pronouns?
I prefer he/him.
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How do you identify?
Nothing quite fits, but genderqueer, transmasculine and other are closest.
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How do you keep active?
Cycling, three 5km runs a week, walking, and with Trans Can Sport I like Fight, Pilates, Circuits.
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What’s your biggest challenge with fitness and sports?
Feeling like I’ll 'fail' or not achieve at something. I set high targets for myself! Also, my life is not routine so I occasionally struggle to find time to exercise.
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Why did you get involved with Trans Can Sport?
Exercise has always been really important to me, and been a regular part of my life. It helps me feel mentally healthy and keeps dysphoria to a minimum, as well as maintaining physical fitness, strength and flexibility. I was also keen to meet other trans people when I moved to Brighton.
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Where will we find you?
Visiting local groups as an ambassador to discuss what we do at Trans Can Sport, and facilitating some of the activities we have planned throughout the year.
Francis Miles
Ambassador & Activity Facilitator
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What are your pronouns?
He/him.
How do you identify?
Queer, male, transmasculine.
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How do you keep active?
Trans Can Sport sessions of course! I like to try out all the different sport and activities TCS has to offer. I also keep active by strength training, love boxing sessions for cardio, enjoy kayaking and like long walks along the seafront.
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What’s your biggest challenge with fitness and sports?
A back injury early in my transition has been a real set back physically. It’s taken some work to accept and address the issue & have the confidence to train again. It’s been important to find trans-friendly properly qualified fitness professionals whose expertise and advice I can trust.
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Why did you get involved with Trans Can Sport?
After moving to the area I wanted to find & connect with the local trans community with activities that didn’t necessarily centre around the pub. TCS was great in helping my fitness pre/post surgery, for meeting people and for getting a workout at the same time!
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Where will we find you?
You are most likely going to see me at TCS sessions as a participant if not facilitating, especially on sporty “taster” activities like softball, volleyball, badminton or anything on water (or IN water - I’ve previously been found at TCS getting dragged across Hove Lagoon at 20mph without a wakeboard!).
Josetta
Instructor of the Mindfulness Series with Josetta
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What are your pronouns?
They/them.
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How do you identify?
qtipoc- queer trans intersex person of colour
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How do you keep active?
Yoga, cycling, walking.
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What’s your biggest challenge with fitness and sports?
Finding the time to do more, as I spend 90 minutes a day doing yoga and if possible 2 hours a day cycling along the seafront! I would love to learn Tai Chi and try other sports.
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Why did you get involved with Trans Can Sport?
Because I am a non-binary yoga teacher and want to share the fabulous benefits of yoga with my lovely trans and non-binary communities. Also because yoga makes you feel so good and I know we can really suffer with stress and mental health difficulties. I find yoga and meditation doesn't just keep me fit and strong, but it is soothing, it saves me daily and helps me get through life's difficulties. Its philosophy brings meaning to life.
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