Meet the team
Welcome to i-5 Sports Group. A little insight into our team.
Our leadership team
Leadership Team at i-5 Sports Group Ltd
Lee Cowling
Founder & Owner
Lee Cowling brings over 30 years of experience across professional football, coaching, recruitment, international development and business.
A former professional footballer with Nottingham Forest and Mansfield Town, Lee also represented England at youth level before building an extensive career in coaching and player development. A Senior Pro UEFA A Licence coach and qualified FA Talent ID Scout, he has worked within professional academy environments including Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and Doncaster Rovers.
His experience extends well beyond the UK. Lee has worked across international football programmes in the USA, Africa, Europe and Asia, developing players, building partnerships and creating pathways into British and European football.
Alongside his football career, Lee has built and developed businesses and football programmes, combining strong commercial acumen with an extensive network across the professional and international game.
Recruitment is one of Lee’s key strengths. His professional playing and coaching background gives him an experienced eye for talent, while his network and understanding of the game enable him to identify players, assess their potential and connect them with realistic opportunities at the right level.This combination of professional football experience, international reach, recruitment expertise and business knowledge gives Lee a strong understanding of both the player and the wider football industry.
Alistair
Boyd-Meaney
Head of Business Operations
Alistair Boyd-Meaney brings extensive experience across football, business development and people-focused support.
As former Managing Director of Esprit Football Academy, Alistair played a key role in the development and operation of an international football programme, supporting players arriving in the UK from across the world.
An award-winning and professionally qualified Business Development executive, Alistair also has considerable experience in senior and operational management across both the private and public sectors.
His experience in football, business and supporting people towards positive outcomes fits closely with the i-5 philosophy. Alistair brings a strong understanding of the support, structure and guidance young players need, both within football and beyond the game.
Arthur
Batista
Head of International Operations
Arthur Batista brings extensive experience in international football, player development and the creation of opportunities across the global game.
Having worked across international football programmes and projects, Arthur has developed a strong understanding of different football cultures, player pathways and the challenges facing players looking to progress between countries and football environments.
His international experience is supported by an extensive network of contacts across clubs, academies, coaches and football organisations, providing valuable insight into both player identification and the development of genuine international opportunities.
Arthur’s strength lies in building relationships, connecting people and understanding how football pathways differ across countries and cultures. His experience adds an important international dimension to i-5, supporting its ambition to identify talent globally and create credible pathways into the UK, Europe and beyond.
Our international team
Our coaching team
Harry Wood
Lead Phase Development Coach u12s - u16s
Harry is a passionate and driven footballer whose journey began at Doncaster Rovers, where he proudly represented the club from U10s through to U18s, earning opportunities to train and travel with the first-team squad. His development continued at Boston United, featuring regularly for the U23s while also making appearances for the senior side—gaining invaluable experience in men’s football.
Loan spells with Grantham Town and Brighouse Town further strengthened his tactical awareness and adaptability across various levels of the game.
Alongside his playing career, Harry has embraced his coaching pathway, holding both an FA Level 2 and UEFA C Licence. His blend of professional experience and coaching knowledge allows him to bring a modern, player-focused approach to every session, inspiring young players to reach their full potential.
Ryan Makings
Lead Phase Development Coach u8s - 11s
Ryan has developed a strong foundation in football through both playing and coaching, bringing valuable experience from academy to senior non-league level. Having progressed through the youth systems at Sheffield United, Lincoln City, and Notts County, Ryan gained invaluable insight training alongside first-team professionals and understanding the demands of the game at a high level.
Now playing in non-league men’s football, Ryan continues to apply his on-field knowledge to his growing coaching career. A qualified FA Level 2 coach, he is currently studying a university degree in coaching to further enhance his tactical and technical understanding of player development. Passionate about helping players reach their potential, Ryan combines his practical experience with academic learning to build a well-rounded approach to coaching and development.
