by Julie Kissick
LET’S hear it for the girls! If you are a teacher and you work in sport, you could be getting tips from Wales manager Jayne Ludlow this Friday.
She is among the facilitators at a free event for teachers working with girls across a range of sports. Others include Chris Marriott from Hockey Wales and Tania Hoffman from the Celtic Dragons.
Wales and Reading’s Natasha Harding is the guest speaker and there will also be a session on biomechanics/injury prevention in young female athletes.
The event, which is being organised as part of the University of South Wales’ Inspire series, takes place at the Sport Park in Treforest.
Learning together
One of the organisers, Mel Tuckwell said: “We wanted to bring teachers and coaches working in girls’ sport together at an event which would enable them to share best practice.
“We’re fortunate at USW that we have an excellent working relationship with so many of the key players in sport in Wales and we’re able to facilitate events like this in order to help others to network as they learn.”
Ludlow, whose Wales Women’s squad regularly use the facilities at the Sport Park, is preparing for the UEFA Euro 2021 qualifying campaign.
Her side beat New Zealand 1 – 0 earlier this month in their final warm-up match ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I am really looking forward to sharing our thoughts on female player development and giving people an insight into our women and girls training environments,” said Ludlow.
“I see this conference as a great opportunity to learn from coaches within other sports and for us all to share ideas and learn from one another.”
Chris Marriott has just taken up the post of Director of Hockey at Christ College Brecon and has coached hockey at Cardiff University and Cambridge University. He worked for Hockey Wales for 13 years, latterly as National Manager (Coaches, Coaching and player Development).
He said: “I firmly believe that hockey and sport in general can provide hugely positive opportunities for young people to develop many of the wider personal skills that will stand them in great stead throughout their lives.
“I hope that I can help teachers and coaches alike to develop the skills and more importantly, the confidence to have a go at delivering hockey.”
There are still places available at the event. Further details are here.
