Tony Fretwell
Current or Previous Roles: Former professional rugby player and current Talent Inclusion Officer with the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Keynote: Tony speaks about the transformative power of self-understanding, particularly regarding his autism diagnosis and mental health struggles. By openly sharing his journey, he advocates for others, highlighting how understanding and advocating for oneself can lead to better mental health and inclusion, especially in professional sports and education.
Tony Fretwell’s Bio
Tony, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, has had a lifelong passion for Rugby League. He began playing for a local team, eventually joining the Academy at Bradford and continuing for 25 years. After completing his Sport Science degree at the University of Teesside, he became the Academy Manager at both Halifax and Widnes Vikings. In 2004, Tony transitioned to teaching, completing his PGCE in Physical Education at Liverpool John Moores, and went on to become Head of PE at The Heath in Runcorn, later moving to Director of Sport at Stretford High.
After 12 years in education, Tony returned to professional sport as National Player Development Manager for England Rugby League with the Rugby Football League. In 2018, he shifted focus to the women’s game, joining The Football Association to develop the Barclays Women’s Super League Academy system, a role he held for seven years. In 2024, Tony moved to the England and Wales Cricket Board to lead the Talent Inclusion strategy. Diagnosed as Autistic in 2023, he has a history of depression and anxiety, and two of his three sons are also autistic. He lives in Cheshire with his wife and twin boys.
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