17th August 2010
WHU and RCT get moving with Community Coach
Hannah John
In a joint venture between Rhondda Cynon Taff Sports Development Unit and Welsh Hockey Union, Hannah John, a 2nd year student with The University of Glamorgan, was employed as a Community Coach to be deployed in the Rhondda. This area was chosen due to the lack of opportunities to play hockey despite some of the strongest Dragon School Hockey participants and great facilities. After several discussions and much thought, Treorchy Comprehensive was earmarked as the perfect venue. Hannah, Judith Powell (Hockey Development Officer in RCT) and 5 x 60 officer Jonathan Phillips met, and taster sessions were arranged at the school. This included a full day with year 7 and 8 girls trying both 'ihoc' and outdoor hockey.
Hannah then commenced an after school session on Wednesdays which now has up to 30 girls attending each week. Taster sessions have also been delivered in local Primary schools which culminated in a festival in July where the players received further coaching and played mini hockey games. A Hockey Organiser Workshop (HOW) was delivered at Treorchy to identify new young leaders to assist the programme, 10 students attended and these students proved to be first class.
In September, Hannah will be organising a Saturday morning club open to pupils at the schools and surrounding areas for both girls and boys from 6 – 16 years of age. This will lead to the club entering the South Wales Junior League. Welsh Hockey will be rolling out more Community Coach positions during the 2010/11 season.
