Wales Netball Announce Regional Pathway Coaches

After the announcement of our new Wales Performance Pathway for 2022, we are delighted to announce the coaches that will be leading the 7 Regional Academies. Mel Tuckwell will take the role of Head Mentor for the Regional Academy Coaches. Lisa Power, Louise Baynham, Tricia Sterling, Emma Meredith, Nicole Howells and Rachel Hughes take the Head Coach positions in their respective areas with Claire Hughes, Fiona Sheppard, Louise Mazzeo and Sam Pascoe assisting.

The partnered facilities and appointed coaches will help us to deliver the ‘Welsh Way’ style of play. The coaches that will be in command of each Academy are as follows.

 

Bridgend College

Lisa Power- Head Coach

Lisa is the Head Coach and Lecturer at Bridgend College Netball Academy. She is also currently the Coach and S&C Lead at Bridgend Bolts Netball Club. 

Claire Hughes – Assistant Coach

Claire has over 5 years’ experience of coaching and have completed her UKCC level 1. She currently coaches Pencoed Pegasus and Bridgend Jets. Additionally, Claire is currently in the process of completing her C Award for umpiring.

 

Cardiff University

Louise Baynham- Head Coach

Louise has previously coached the LA Hubs in Bridgend at U11 & U13 age groups as well as coaching the Cardiff PTC. She is a member of the Bridgend Junior Netball Committee and is the founder and Head Coach of Pencoed Pegasus Netball Club. Louise is also a teacher of Physical Education at Cardiff High School with over 18 years’ experience.

Fiona Sheppard- Assistant Coach

Fiona has previously been appointed within assistant coach roles for U21 Talent centres and U15 Hub. She also supports the coaching team within her club at Leckwith. 

 

Coleg Cambria

Tricia Sterling- Head Coach

Tricia has 30 years coaching experience. Her netball coaching experience extends from working with Warwick University, Wales and North-West England Netball Clubs in addition to having acted as an assistant coach for Manchester Thunder Youth. Tricia has led club teams to national cup titles and to National Clubs finals in recent years and is currently completing her Level 3 coaching qualification.

 

Coleg Gwent

Emma Meredith- Head Coach

Emma has worked with Wales u17 squad since 2018 as the assistant coach, securing back-to-back Silver Medals in the last two Europe Netball competitions. She also is the head coach at Coleg Gwent Crosskeys, Risca netball club, Southeast Wales U18 coach and is the Welsh Colleges Team Manager.

 

Coleg Sir Gar

Nicole Howells- Head Coach

At the age of 16, Nicole began coaching with Merlins Netball Club and Carmarthenshire Local Authority Hub (LA Hub). Nicole gained her Level 2 Award in Coaching Netball whilst playing for West Wales Performance Talent Centre. Since gaining her coaching qualifications, she has continued to coach Merlins Netball Club, University of Wales Trinity Saint David Carmarthen and West Wales. 

Louise Mazzeo- Assistant Coach

Louise has been involved as the Head Coach and Assistant Coach for the England Netball Performance Pathway in Middlesex. She has coached several clubs including adult, junior and back to netball clubs. 

 

Neath Port Talbot College

Sharon Walters- Head Coach

Sharon has previously worked with Wales U17’s squad as a team manager and currently runs a local netball club in ANT area. She has been involved with the DTC/Regional Squad for the last two years before lockdown.

Sam Pascoe- Assistant Coach

Sam is both a netball and rugby coach. She currently coaches netball at a local established growing club and has been involved with them since September 2021. Sharon is also a business manager of a well-established gymnastics centre in NPT.

 

University of South Wales/ Coleg Y Cymoedd

Rachel Hughes- Head Coach

Rachel has coached for many years, starting with her local team Abercynon Netball Club, who have become very successful within the A470 league. She then developed a netball academy within Coleg Y Cymoedd where she is currently the Head Coach and Campus Co-ordinator. Rachel is also the Head Coach and current player for Amersham Netball club.

 

We are thrilled to have appointed Mel, Lisa, Louise B, Tricia, Emma, Nicole, Rachel, Claire, Fiona, Louise M and Sam and wish them the best of luck in their roles!