Our team
At Pitch Direct we pride ourselves on being smart about our decisions, strategic with our work, and one step ahead of the competition. Our team spearheaded by Nicolette come from various backgrounds, with the knowledge and professional experience to succeed on every partnership. Let's meet our founder and the team.
A marketing and strategic business development executive with 20
years’ experience in the hospitality, events and sports industries.
Having held key positions within these industries, Nicolette is a
trusted professional with knowledge within the South African, UK,
Indian, US and European markets.
Nicolette was integral in taking a global motorsport championship,
FIA World Rallycross to South Africa, she worked closely with IMG and
was responsible for contracting the City of Cape Town and securing
all commercial sponsorships for the World Championship event.
During her time with IMG she executed a cross-promotional US event
between 3 sporting properties (World RX, Professional Bull Riding
and American Rallycross) and worked with NASA to create a once in a
lifetime event at the Johnson Space Center, Houston.
Nicolette has worked brand side, agency facing and for global sports rights holders. Her holistic understanding is key to her successes as she
understands the importance of a true partnership and ensuring
partnerships deliver a return on investment.
Nicolette is supported by a small team and by a network of experts.
LEVIS PAUL
CONSULTANT
SUB- SAHARAN AFRICA
A marketing and strategic business development executive with 11 years’ of experience in the hospitality & tourism and sports industry. Having held key positions within National and International organizations that operates in these Africa Levis is a trusted professional with knowledge within the Africa and Sub-Saharan markets (excl. SA)
Skilled on identifying sports sponsorship opportunities, negotiations, rights management and drive brands on ground activation and strategic campaigns that drive ROI.
He has been instrumental and project lead on Awards winning Sponsorship Activation campaigns like Everton in Tanzania 2017, Seville in Dar 2019 among other Mega Promo Campaigns.
With his International Relations and Diplomacy background he is bringing to the team International Relations and Protocol Management (Government Relations) skills and more.
ANDY JAYE
PARTNER, Creative/pitch direct HQ
Andy is an award winning broadcaster & creative lead with over 25 years experience.
He has created and delivered concepts, programmes, and events for leading broadcasters and brands including the BBC, Discovery Network, Yamaha, Nitendo, Sky Sports, Talisker Whiskey, ITV, Huawei, and many more.
Andy’s experience has ranged from wide scale sporting events including the Champions and Premier Leagues, F1, and Speedway GPs, to music, travel, automotive, and adventure.
MBAKO THANI
sponsorship executive/pitch direct BOTSWANA
Mbako is a Tourism and Hospitality Management graduate from the University of Botswana. He is interested in Destination Marketing and the Development of Sports Tourism. The goal is to thrive not survive.
Mbako enjoys football and plays for social football for "Ga Inoswa Social Club", where he held the role of Secretary General last year. His team plays on Sundays and when they put on tournaments, all gate proceeds are donated to charity. They have an impressive 20k following on FB.
Outside of his local team, Mabko is a big Manchester United and Real Madrid fan.
Having recently started running/jogging, he also has a keen interest to explore marathons. His passion for sport is based on its synergy with togetherness.
Email: mbako@pitchdirect.co.uk
TSAONE SEBELE
sponsorship executive/pitch direct BOTSWANA
co-founder/bititi
Tsaone Sebele graduated with B-tech Business Administration at the University of Johannesburg.
She is a Botswana international track athlete and a five time national champion competing on the 100m and 200m. She has represented Botswana on some high profile games including the Commonwealth games, African Championships since 2015 and the African games.
She is passionate about sports, which has always driven her to work with multiple sports personnel across various disciplines including soccer, hockey, netball and rugby in voluntary roles. She recently worked with Athletes in Action, an organisation that mentors athletes to reach their goals. She has always been keen on advancing a career in sport to help develop local sport in Botswana and give a fair opportunity to younger athletes to have a better experience in their respective codes.
She is elated to join the Pitch Direct team and grow with the company and as a professional in the sports industry.
Email: tsaone@pitchdirect.co.uk
FAVOUR EUGENE
sponsorship intern/pitch direct NIGERIA
Favour Eugene is a passionate undergraduate student at Imo State University in Nigeria. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and hopes to make a significant contribution to the sports industry, an area that has always captured her interest and passion. When she was in high school, Favour joined a football club, and ever since then, she has been drawn to sports. Even though she may not be the best player, supporting from the background brings her immense joy.
Favour's ultimate goal is to create a path for more women in the sports business and make valuable contributions to the industry. She has a particular interest in various sports, with football, particularly her beloved Chelsea Football Club, holding a special place in her heart.
Favour is thrilled to have the opportunity to work, learn, and grow as part of the Pitch Direct team. She is eager to collaborate with passionate and experienced industry professionals and gain a deeper understanding of the sport business.
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Email:favour@pitchdirect.co.uk
LINCOLN KABANGA
sponsorship intern/pitch direct ZAMBIA
Lincoln Kabanga, a recent graduate from the University of Lusaka with a degree in Economics and Finance. He is not your typical finance guy; he has a diverse set of interests. Financial markets have always intrigued him, and he actively participates in investments like stocks, bonds, T-bills, and forex. He claims, it's not just about numbers; it's about understanding the ever-changing world of finance and making strategic moves.
But there's more to Lincoln than spreadsheets and trading screens. he is also deeply into weight lifting and bodybuilding. It's not just a hobby; it's a way of life that keeps him disciplined and focused. The gym is where he channels his dedication into sculpting his physique.
Oh, and did I mention, he is also a die-hard Juventus fan? In his downtime, he is also a passive follower of UFC and boxing, catching some thrilling fights.
He is genuinely thrilled about the chance to contribute to Pitch Direct's success. He said, "The idea of merging my financial knowledge with a dynamic and innovative company like Pitch Direct is both exciting and motivating. I can't wait to apply what I've learned in both finance and fitness to make a meaningful impact on this journey. Let’s make it happen!"
Email: lincoln@pitchdirect.co.uk
COLLINS GIKUNJU
designer /pitch direct
Collins Gikunju W, a graduate in Information Technology from Dedan Kimathi University, brings over four years of experience in web development and design. Specializing in Frontend Development, UI/UX Design, WordPress, graphic design, SEO, and deck design, Collins is known for resolving frontend issues, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, and managing Git for version control.
Beyond his technical prowess, Collins is a dedicated sports enthusiast and a passionate Arsenal fan. Whether cheering for his favorite football team or actively participating on the soccer field, he showcases a well-rounded interest that complements his professional skills.
Email: collins@pitchdirect.co.uk
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