Hibernian Community Foundation

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Samantha Windram

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Samantha Windram

Samantha has recently graduated after attending Edinburgh college and Edinburgh Napier University where she studied Sports Coaching and Development. Samantha has been a coach for 6 year which includes 2 summers of coaching in the states. Within her 6 years of coaching 3 years of this was spent volunteering with the Community Foundation while she completed her studies. Samantha has an extensive amount of knowledge in coaching both children and adults. In June 2023 Samantha received Young Volunteer of The Year for the work she puts into providing a platform for everyone to be able to participant in football. Samantha was appointed as Football Development Officer in August 2023.

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Paul Doig

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Paul Doig

Paul officially joined the Foundation in May 2024 and is tasked with leading our Boys and Girls Community Club sections as well as our player pathway offerings under the Community Foundation banner. Paul brings a wealth of experience to the role and knows the grassroots game in Edinburgh and the Lothians extremely well from his previous roles in the game. Paul is a UEFA A Licence holder and has over 18 years of experience in football development. His most recent role prior to joining the Foundation was with local grassroots club, Edinburgh South, where he held the role of full-time Community Coach for 7 years. Paul is a lifelong Hibee, with his family holding season tickets at Easter Road.

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Vitaliia Melnyk

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Vitaliia Melnyk

I am Vitaliia, the New Scots Activity Worker, and my name truly reflects my vibrant and energetic lifestyle. I was born into a family of teachers in Staryi Saltiv, a large village near Kharkiv, Ukraine. A voracious reader and keen student, I also wrote poetry, with “Ivanhoe” by Walter Scott being one of my favourite books. I graduated with honours from two universities in Kharkiv and worked as an accountant for 15 years. Following a personal tragedy, I transitioned into psychology and became a Gestalt therapist. Due to the war in Ukraine, I relocated to Scotland. Adapting was challenging, especially since I thrive in sunny environments. My daughter and I moved several times, and I carry the pain for my homeland always. However, joining the Foundation team brought warmth back into my life. I have the best boss and colleagues, and I love creating activities for new Scots.

Conor McRitchie

Conor McRitchie

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Conor McRitchie

Conor began his coaching career in school, working with the local university to deliver Multi-Sport Camps during school holidays and coaching football weekly for a grassroots club. He pursued further education at Dundee and Angus College, earning an HND in Sports Development and Coaching, and at Abertay University, where he obtained a BSc (HONS) in the same field. Post-graduation, Conor coached at St Andrews University, contributing to both the Men’s and Women’s football programs. He then became the Girls and Women’s Development Officer at Raith Rovers Community Foundation. Following this, Conor coached Dundee United women, helping them achieve league success in SWPL2. He now serves as the Regional Football Coordinator (North) with Team United/Hibernian Community Foundation and continues to coach at St Andrews University. Outside of his professional life, Conor has two young children, whom he is currently training to become the next top footballers.

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Ben McKinnon

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Ben McKinnon

Ben was born a Hibee – I’ve coached youth football for almost a decade. Started my coaching career with Hutchison Vale in 2014. In 2018, I left Hutchie Vale and travelled to America to coach football abroad for a year. After returning from America, I secured a job in Financial Legal sector, and life was generally busy with buying a house, getting a dog, becoming engaged and planning a family. I’ve always had a passion for football, so I was delighted to become Regional Football Co-ordinator for Southeast Scotland for Hibernian Community Foundation in 2023.  Sports play a big part in my life. I love taking part in or watching all sports (except Rugby or Cricket!). Sports aside I enjoy spending time with family and friends, travelling and taking the dog for long strolls. 

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Cara

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Cara

Cara’s career began in the hospitality and care sectors before she developed a passion for traveling, exploring India and Thailand. Upon her return, she studied Architectural and Decorative Glasswork at Edinburgh’s Telford College. She then spent three years cooking at Black Bo’s vegetarian restaurant before pursuing further studies at Queen Margaret University. Initially enrolled in Dietetics, Cara switched to Public Health Nutrition after witnessing its significant impact on community development. In 2021, she began volunteering with the Cyrenians, starting as a befriender and later cooking meals and coordinating volunteers at the Monday lunch club in the West Stand. Cara joined HCF in 2022, where she continues to work with a dedicated team of volunteers, providing nutritious, home-cooked meals for a growing community. Passionate about the outdoors, Cara enjoys cycling, hiking, and bothy hopping with her niece and nephew. She also continues to create glass designs and is learning woodworking skills.

Ayla Esen

Ayla Esen

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Ayla Esen

Ayla, born into a family of Hibees initially joined the foundation in 2014, as a player within the girl’s academy programme. Through opportunities within the academy whilst still playing, Ayla initially undertook a coaching role within younger age groups and subsequently has built up 7 years of coaching experience, mainly within the girls and women’s game – which developed into her current role of Community Academy Manager- Girls and Women’s. Outside of football Ayla recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh where she studied Physical Education and is currently undertaking her first year of secondary PE teaching. Beyond her professional life, in her free time Ayla enjoys spending time with her extended family and friends, along with travelling and her new interest in running.

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Niamh Westwood

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Niamh Westwood

Niamh joined the team full-time in December 2023, after working with the Live Borders Active Schools team. She graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a degree in Sports Coaching and has been coaching at the Hibernian Community Foundation since 2020. During this time, she spent two summers in the USA, coaching and enhancing her knowledge of both children’s and adults’ football. Born into a mixed-supporting family, Niamh chose to follow in her dad’s footsteps and support their local team, holding a season ticket since she was seven years old—back when she was more interested in football than counting seagulls. In her spare time, Niamh enjoys traveling around the country to watch various football matches and cheering on the Scotland National Team. She also loves traveling and catching the sun whenever she can.

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Scott Pearce

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Scott Pearce

Scott is the Community Hub Assistant. Graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 2021, since then he has volunteered and worked with football clubs from non-league to the SPFL premiership, both in football media doing content creation and as a creative practitioner. Alongside his role here he also works with Inspiring Scotland also in the third sector on a part time basis. Alongside following Hibs, Scott is a keen photographer.

Ann Brown

Ann Brown

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Ann Brown

Ann Brown is Head of Para Football at Hibernian Community Foundation on a part-time basis.  Founder of Team United.  Ann manages a team of experienced Coordinators, working diretly on delivering Team United programmes for Autism and Neurodivergent young people as well as developing other para disciplines. Ann brings a wealth of experience in disability football and 25 years senior management experience in the voluntary sector. Ann also holds the position of Strategic Lead with Scottish Para Football Scotland, an affiliated national association of The Scottish FA.

Our work is made possible by donations or by people fundraising on our behalf. This money helps us support a number of programmes in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

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Hibernian Community Foundation
Easter Road Stadium, 12 Albion Place,
Edinburgh EH7 5QG

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