BSA Leadership

Jamie was born and raised in Chicago and spent 5 years living in the Pacific Northwest before graduating from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in International Studies. Moving to Italy in 2000, she received her MBA from St. John's University in Rome, beginning her career in Knowledge Management and Learning. Currently working as an IT Director for UCB Biopharma she and her family, husband, and two boys, have called Belgium home since 2010.

Playing and coaching soccer has been a part of Jamie’s background since middle school. Today, she plays for BUFC Ladies in the RBFA Division 2 and has been volunteer coaching at BSA since Fall 2018; taking up the Director role in Spring 2020. She is very excited to be a part of BSA and to continue building an amazing soccer program while giving back to the international community and transmitting a passion for the game to the next generation of players. Contact Jamie here.

Jennifer and her family recently transplanted to Brussels from Atlanta, Georgia.  She holds a B.S in Secondary Education as well as a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Her background is in teaching and coaching in both junior and high school sports, as well as  research at the University of Arkansas where she focused on school turnaround, organizational development, and leadership efficacy. She holds a US teaching license and is also credentialed as a principal. Jennifer comes to us with extensive experience in volunteering and fundraising in her previous roles in the PTA and Gala Chair at her children’s schools.  

Secretary / Communications Director

David French

A seasoned communication professional with over 20 years of experience, David kicked off his career in his birth city London in the not-for-profit sector. He then spent several years working in the communications agency world, before moving to Berlin, where he was a leading consultant on pan-European campaigns for clients including the European Commission.  David moved to Brussels in 2012, initially working in the private sector, before entering the EU institutions as a Senior Press Officer. From 2015-2020, he was the Communication Advisor to the President of the EU's Committee of the Regions, leading strategic communications serving under two Presidents. Since 2020, he has been a member of Cabinet of the Committee's President,  where he continues to support communications.  

David holds a BA (Hons) degree from the University of Leeds as well as an MSc from the London School of Economics. A passionate sports lover and football fanatic, David is a lifelong suffering Charlton Athletic and England fan. He lives in Brussels devoted to his wife and two young, spirited boys.  Contact David here.

Meghna Bansal is a Chartered Accountant from India and has moved to Belgium with her husband and son in Spring 2021. She is excited to join BSA as Finance Director. She has previously worked with PwC, Deloitte and now practices independently. She also writes articles on various social topics and many of her articles are published in newspapers. Travel, dance and cooking are her hobbies, but Vedic astrology is her passion. She’s a certified astrologer and loves to guide people to right direction. She has been in social services in India and has been volunteer teaching economically disadvantaged children. Contact Meghna here.

Matt started coaching soccer with the BSA in 2021 and has come on board as Soccer Co-Director as of August 2022!  

Matt is a father to two boys who also have a love of soccer. He was born, and grew up in, southern England. His earliest memories include being taught football by his grandfather (who Matt has noted was an extremely talented player who could have chosen a professional career had life turned out differently) and being taken to matches at Carrow Road. As a kid, he was considered a useful left back (and at times, an enterprising sweeper!)

His professional life has taken its turns through social housing refurbishment projects, industrial real estate endeavors, and TV, radio and digital advertising advocacy work with European stakeholders. These days, Matt designs and builds websites.

Matt says, "I hope that I can pass on some of the passion for the game handed down to me by my grandfather.....as well as what I remember from the excellent coaches I had as a young player.....Indeed, I have long been guided by something my grandfather once told me..."It matters not who won the game, but how you played the game"”.

Baseball Director

Sandy Grant

Sandy originally arrived in Belgium as a student from University of Ottawa to learn French and finish her degree. One year turned into two … and now 25 years later with her husband and two daughters she is living the local expat life in Lasne while working full-time in the IT world. In her free time, Sandy gives Pilates and Yoga classes out of her home studio, volunteers as a Brownie leader with Girl Guiding UK, plays fast-pitch softball with the Brussels Kangaroos, and umpires a game here and there.

Sandy says, “I love to laugh; I love to try new things; I don’t mind failing - it’s just another word for learning. I want to be a good role model for my kids and husband and most of all, I want to inspire kids to do this for their kids one day.” Contact Sandy here.

Jim was born and raised outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota and later lived and studied in Wisconsin, Prague, and Washington DC. Previously Jim worked for the US Army in the area of international cooperation in both Washington DC and in Germany. In 2014 he moved to the Netherlands and since then has been working in the financial sector in the areas of risk management and sustainability.  Jim, his wife, and two sons have lived in Belgium since 2020.

Since a young child Jim has been playing basketball, and he gained experience coaching as a teenager. Now more of a spectator than a player, he still is loyal to the Minnesota Timberwolves in spite of repeated disappointments. In 2022 he coached the U10 BSA team and he looks forward to continuing his engagement as the basketball director and sharing his love for the game. 

Sports Management & Digital Marketing Intern

Rob Sevenants