The Sainsbury’s School Games is a multi sport event that takes place each September in varying locations around the UK. Not only does it develop the players in terms of a high level competition, but it also provides a valuable insight to a mini Olympic Games environment. In addition, the tournament provides unique experiences for coaches, managers and a huge range of volunteers and officials. This year, the 2016 Games will be held in Loughborough from the 1st – 4th September.
Volleyball Wales are pleased to announce the new and returning members of the coaching teams for the 2016 Welsh U16 Girls and U17 Boys squads. Sandra Stoll and Jack Allman return as the experienced U16 girls coaching duo and welcomes new Team Manager, Hannah Kettle, into the team staff. The boys team have a brand new coaching line up including Jon Williams and Antonio Lopez who will both be under the experienced eye of Chris Webb who is returning to the squad as the Team Manager.
2016 also sees a new addition to the Welsh squad line up, with a Performance Analyst, Joe Etherington, who will be working with both squads to help improve performance.
Yvonne Perkins, Chairman says “This year we welcome new and returning members of the coaching teams to help both squads prepare for the School Games. It is a really important event for us and we are very excited to see the experience and enthusiasm from the newest members of our teams. With the trials taking place on the 20th March, we are all looking forward to seeing what our teams can do this year”.
For more information about the trials, please contact Head Coach Sandra Stoll at Sandra.stoll@web.de.
MEET THE TEAM
Sandra Stoll – U16 Girls Head Coach
Sandra has been coaching since the age of 16 and holds both German and UK Coaching Qualifications (Level 3). She has been Head Coach for the Welsh teams at the Sainsbury’s School Games since 2009, and the U19s Girls Team representing Wales at the 2014 CEV Small Countries Tournament in San Marino. Sandra is the Head Coach for Wales and as such, she encourages junior coaches to assist the girl’s team to help mentor and develop their coaching skills.
Jack Allman – U16 Girls Assistant coach
Jack holds a UKCC 2 coaching qualification and has been actively coaching in Wales since 2009. He has been the Assistant Coach for the Welsh Girls Squad at the Sainsbury’s School Games since 2009 and the U19s Girls Team representing Wales at the CEV Small Countries Tournament in San Marino in 2014. He has a keen interest in Sport Psychology and Coaching Philosophies and enjoys playing indoor volleyball at National League level for Cardiff Celts Volleyball Club.
Hannah Kettle – U16 Girls Team Manager
Hannah has been playing volleyball for 9 years, formerly with Newcastle Staffs Volleyball club and currently as a member of Cardiff Celts NVL squad. She obtained her level 1 UKCC coaching qualification 2 years ago and since starting a Bachelors degree in Strength, Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Hannah has been coaching the University Men’s team as well as playing for the Women’s team in BUCS and in the Welsh League. Hannah has experienced the Sainsbury’s School games as a player and as an official and is looking forward to sharing her experiences with the U16’s girls as their new Team Manager.
Jon Williams – U17 Boys Head Coach
Jon started playing volleyball at 12 years old and played for the South West under 15s, under 18s and the England Cadets under the experienced coaching from the current Volleyball England President, Geoff Alan. With Welsh heritage, Jon played for the Welsh under 21s and Senior Mens Team whilst also playing NVL Div 1. Jon has experience of coaching at all levels within the UK and currently booked on to complete his Level 3 and FIVB coaching awards. Jon is looking forward to returning to his Welsh routes and developing the boys team for the 2016 Sainsbury’s School Games.
Antonio Lopez – U17 Boys Assistant Coach
Antonio was born in Campanario, Spain. He has completed two Bachelor degrees, his first in Physcal Education Teaching in 2005, and his second in Physical Activities and Sport Sciences in 2010. He began his coaching career in Licenciados Reunidos in 2008 where he achieved national level III coaching by RFEVB. Antonio coached teams at Milan, Madrid, Barcelona and Extremadura Universities. More recently he changed focus to develop volleyball skills performance in players under 18 before being contracted as coach and physical trainer to CV Barça (Female Spanish Superliga) in 2014. In May 2015 he moved to the UK where he has been coaching some University and Junior teams.
Chris Webb – U17 Boys Manager
Chris is a volleyball enthusiast with 18 years playing and 8 years coaching experience. He was a founding Board Member and has held a variety of voluntary roles within Volleyball Wales since 2009. He has a lot of experience working with different age groups and currently works in the education sector as an Events Coordinator. When not stood on or beside a court you’ll find him spending time with his family, mountain biking or hiking around the beautiful Welsh countryside.
Joe Etherington – Performance Analyst
Joe has been playing volleyball for 6 years and has been playing for, and coaching, the Cardiff Metropolitan University teams since starting at the University in 2013. He is studying Performance Analysis as his undergraduate degree, and is completing his dissertation on a tactical analysis of men’s volleyball during the 2016 Olympic Games. Joe will be working with the U16 Girls and U17 Boys teams in their preparation for the 2016 Sainsbury’s School Games and is looking forward to being able to work alongside the coaches to improve his coaching skills as well as using the latest technology to improve players performance.