Inspirational Female Coaches Making a Difference in Teesside

1. Aimee Barlow – Athletics Coach Out Athletics – Middlesbrough Aimee is a high calibre athlete in her own right competing in regional and national multi discipline events, however, Aimee has taken it upon herself to also develop her experience of leading children in athletics utilising her athletics leaders qualification. Working alongside more experienced coaches Aimee has led athletics on a weekly basis throughout 2018/19 with a group of primary school children of different ages, abilities and backgrounds. Aimee has demonstrated and conveyed her technical understanding of athletics to the children in an accessible and fun way whilst retaining the interest and enjoyment of the children she works with throughout the session. If Aimee is ever unable to take a session the children always ask where is she and when is she back. Aimee is a credit to coaching and her sport.

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3. Beverley Linighan– Netball Coach Oaksway Netball Club – Hartlepool Bev has been apart of Oaksway Netball club for a long time. She was a player and now giving back to the youngsters with her experience. She is an amazing coach and north east players have gained international caps through Bevs coaching. She’s an inspiration to others and is always getting the best out of her players. She’s a volunteer to the sport and coaches u14,U15 and u16, Taking them all around the country to play. She is an asset to the North east sporting community

4. Bobby Tenwick – Rugby Coach Mowden Park Rugby Club – Darlington Bobby has helped set up the social ladies section at DMP and continues to promote and encourage new ladies to have a go at rugby. She has achieved her Level 2 RFU coaching award and enthuses fun and inclusion for all.

5. Carol Williams – Athletics Coach Independent Coach – Middlesbrough Carol is an athletics coach of many years standing with a strong focus of elite or elite potential athletes. Carol has enjoyed many successes as a coach including two UK age group number 1 UK rankings with high jumper Patrick O'Connor. However, arguably Carol's great success has been enjoyed with 400m runner RabahYousif who has achieved 1 x World Championships Bronze medalist; 1 x World Championships finalist; 1 x All-African Games winner; 1 x African Championships Silver medalist; 1 x European Team Championships Silver medalist; 1 x World (Continental) Cup Bronze medalist; 1 x Diamond League meeting winner; 1 x European Indoor Championships finalist; 1 x African Championships finalist; 1 x National champion; 1 x World (Continental) Cup finalist and has a personal best for 400m of 44.54. With RabahYousif, Carol is truly coaching at a world level and as such represents a significant asset to athletics coaching in Teesside.

7. Claire Coulthard – Run Leader Red Balloons – Stockton Following a suicide attempt in 2017, Claire has used running to manage her own mental wellbeing. After starting to share her mental health story through peer support and social media, including how she looks after herself, it became clear that there was a need for a service in the area that combined physical activity for mental health. Although still poorly, Claire studied for the relevant qualifications to offer fitness and talking servies, that are accessible and affordable. Red Balloons now has over 2000 followers across social media, 5 running groups, 3 walking groups, a radio show and hig plans to expand to help even more people.

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9. Eileen Cowle – Run Leader The Junction Foundation - Resilience at Heart - Redcar Eileen has spear headed young people's motivation and involvement in the Resilience at Heart Project ( a young people's running programme predominantly for young people with additional issues aimed at getting the inactive active and mapping the benefits over of exercise to emotional wellbeing ). She has gone from a non runner to a run leader providing an excellent role model, completed her run leader course and organised weekly sessions as well as opportunities for young people to take part in community events such as Redcar Running Festival Much of this has been done as an addition to her paid role ( young carers coordinator) and as a volunteer

10. Francesca Harding – Rugby Coach Mowden Park Rugby Club – Darlington Cesca is the Chair of the girls and social ladies section at DMP, she has been tireless in her passion and enthusiasm to grow the sport for women and girls. She manages at the top level including co ordinating fixtures for Durham County girls and women. She is a Level 2 RFU coach and coaches boys girls and ladies. She is an inspiration to all around her.

11. Helen Johnston – Running Coach Stockton Striders AC - Stockton Helen not only coaches but is also club secretary and chief organiser at our club. She enables the smooth running of club nights now but was also integral in the initial set up of the club. In addition to this she is a guide runner. She coaches and trains with her VI athlete and regularly gives up her own races and training to guide at these events. Through her roles she has enabled hundreds of people to become regular club runners in a friendly inclusive atmosphere, a large proportion of them being female. She has helped make running more accessible and improved the health of the people of Stockton through her selfless commitment to her volunteer roles.

12. Did you know: • Just 30% of coaches are women • Only 17% of qualified coaches are women • 30% of clubs can't find enough coaches to fulfil demand

13. Janine Gilhespy – Coach Leader Cross Fit & Rehabilitation - Hartlepool Borough Council OT falls prevention Janine is an advocate off the benefits of physical activity. She was instrumental in developing a steady feet falls prevention course where 90% of the participants saw a marked improvement in their functional fitness tests. This passion flows over into her personal life where she has help set up and develop a cross fit club in Hartlepool with a wide range of classes for children and adults.

14. Jill Foreman – Netball Coach Oaskway Netball – Hartlepool Jill has set up the young acorns and mini session. This is a session for 3-5 year olds and gives access to the fundamentals of movement and skills at any early age which can channel them into the sporting teams of the future. It is also developing them socially making new friends and learning how to work with coaches. Jill runs this session weekly and is such an amazing coach giving her time as a volunteer to help these players progress.

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16. Kay Stokes – Cycling, Triathlon, Running, Swimming Hartlepool participation team, Cleveland Wheelers Commitment to the sports listed from a personal stand, and Kay's efforts and commitment to getting others involved in the sports. Kay played a key role in women's begin to MTB sessions for HBC.

17. Laura Hegarty – American Football Coach Teesside Steelers – Stockton Laura is a very loving, passionate and enthusiastic leader within the TessideSteelers. Hegs as she is known loves all of her players and works very hard to ensure they have the best training and preparations to be a competitive team. Not only this, Hegs nurtures the players as people, making sure we are a fun and happy team. Hegs is all the more impressive as only 2 – 3 years ago she was a player forced out of playing due to a bad knee injury, and last season I asked her to be not only a coach but THE offensive coordinator. Of course Hegs took to this very well, as she worked hard to bridge her knowledge and learn the skills and techniques she needed. This hard work, persistence, passion and drive not only helped us win our division and earn promotion, but she also personally earned a spot on the Great Britain Womens American Football Coaching staff; a team that saw success in this years European Championships. Hegs has proven to be a great coach and an even better friend.

18. Research shows there are a mix of practical and emotional pressures that stop many women from being as active as they would like such as: Fear of judgement Lacking confidence Not having enough time Family Commitments

19. Lesley Watson – Triathlon Coach Hartlepool Triathletes & Hartlepool Borough Council Lesley is a valued member of the HBC team of volunteers and paid staff. she supports with the open water swim element of coaching and running. This year she selflessly supported a blind veteran to take part in the Big Lime Triathlon with the open water swim and another member of the Hartlepool Tri club supported with cycle and run. Lesley supported Dave to access swimming training in the pool and ay open water sessions to prepare for the Big Lime Tri.

20. Lindsay Evans – Rugby Coach Rugby – Hartlepool Lindsay is the only female rugby union referee in the county and every weekend she will referee female, male, youth and senior rugby games come rain or shine, Lindsay fits this into her busy life as a primary school head teacher. She is very passionate about supporting players during a game and will stop play to explain to players about a decision etc. Lindsay is a role model to female rugby players and is very well know in the female leagues as an ex player and referee. Been a female referee makes a huge difference to encourage new females to enjoy the game and Lindsay shows players that you can still be apart of the game once you retire from the sport. Lindsay is so passionate about supporting grassroots rugby in general she is a real asset to Durham County RFU.

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22. Lisa Cunningham – Volunteer/Helper North Ormesby Football Club Lisa is primarily an administrator working with North Ormesby Football Club alongside Middlesbrough Council, Sport and Leisure Management, Unity City Academy, the North Riding FA and the Football Foundation, are partners in the operation and development of football at the Southlands 3G pitch site. The past 3 years have seen a change in the management of the Southlands 3G pitch, a change in ancillary facilities at the site, and the need to renegotiate and update two significant SLA's between partners relating to the site. As NOFC's representative through this period of significant change Lisa has brought significant skill, tact, determination and understanding to work to achieve the best possible outcomes for the development of football. Lisa is an asset to both NOFC and the development of football in East Middlesbrough

23. Lisa Garforth – Netball Coach All stars Netball Club - Hartlepool Lisa came to me with the idea of expanding our Netball club. She wanted to focus on a junior section that would give juniors of all abilities and disabilities the opportunity to play and be part of a team. I loved the idea and was delighted when she asked me to be the Head coach. Through Lisa's pure determination and passion for her dream, she spent months finding out information on how to achieve our goal. There was a lot more to it than we first thought. Working with children and disabilities required lots of forms and job roles to fill so we could offer a safe environment for all. Lisa managed to organise this and in 2016 we advertised our first session to children of 8 to 15 year old's. Within one year we needed to expand our session from one to four sessions a week. Now in 2019 we have five teams ageing from 5 to 15 years old. Our 14 year old's have now started to filter into our adult teams. It makes Allstars so proud to see these girls grow in confidence make new friendships and enjoy a game of netball. Allstars are so grateful to Lisa for her time, passion and commitment to achieve our overall aim. MAKING NETBALL AVAILABLE TO ALL REGARDLESS OF AGE OR ABILITY.

25. Lisa Peart – Fitness Coach DPP Fitness Club - Hartlepool Lisa is a fitness coach and founder of the TrainFit programme in Hartlepool. Lisa's passion for helping people to see progressions in their physical fitness, enjoying using the gym and feeling good about them selves has been a driver for her to create the TrainFit programme in Hartlepool. She encourages people especially women to use functional movement and strength training to improve physical fitness and health lifestyles. Lisa is also an advocate to support more female coaches in the industry mentoring and supporting newly qualified fitness instructors in her gym. Lisa has made a difference in participants life by making them feel good about themselves and also a difference in newly qualified gym instructors life by supporting and encouraging them to progress within the industry.

26. Meghan Gardner – Rugby Coach Mowden Park Rugby Club - Darlington Meg has played through to the end of U18s girls and has progressed to senior rugby playing for Sharks premiership team. Meg stepped up to complete her Level 2 RFU coaching award and now coaches the current girls U18s squad. She is a fantastic role model for the girls and continues to enthuse and develop the team at the same time as developing her own game.

27. Pamela Highfield – Running Coach More than a run – Redcar Pamela has directly benefited from her own experience of running and wished to share this positive experience with others. Pamela approached South Tees Public Health seeking assistance to help her to deliver running sessions to others and in so doing help them to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of running. Subsequent to approaching South Tees Public Heath Pamela has delivered running sessions for children and parents at St Alphonsus Primary School in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough; established 2 weekly running sessions at Pallister Park, Middlesbrough and 1 at Middlesbrough Sports Village. Pamela has also been instrumental in helping to establish a monthly 10k trail run at Ormesby Hall. Pamela's running sessions are fun and engaging often incorporating challenges and longer term goals to assist with participants' motivation form one session to another. Pamela has also worked collaboratively with North East Run Project to assist with runners' preparations for the 2019 Middlesbrough 10k. In essence, Pamela is able to empathise with many of the barrier people looking to run for the first time face and then help them overcome these barriers.

28. Philippa Hambley – Running Coach Run for Resilience – The Junction Foundation – Redcar The Junction Foundation is a local Charity supporting children and young people. Over the past year we have developed a 'Run for Resilience' Project encouraging young people, mostly girls and female staff members who are inactive to get active. Philippa has trained as a Run Leader and has given her time to leading running sessions with young people, coordinating running events and participating in events to raise funds for The Junction. Young people (mostly young carers) from our area have taken part in regular running sessions. Due to their caring roles these young people are often isolated and struggle to take part in outside activities. This project has given them opportunity to take part in sport and gain confidence. Philippa has worked with staff to develop a reward and incentive scheme for the young people, acknowledging their participation, development and achievements. Philippa has been a key part in making this project happen. Recently Philippa has managed The Junction's charity places for the Great North Run and Redcar Running Festival of which The Junction is a named charity.  Even though Philippa has been an employee of The Junction Foundation, she has gone above and beyond with her commitment and time to this project.

30. Pip Bell – Multi Sports Coach Teesside University Pip has worked at Teesside University for 12yrs and played rugby for over 25yrs, she is very passionate about supporting and encouraging female students to become more physically active and get involved in sport as a participant and also supporting students to take up coaching through employing students as sports activators and supporting student volunteers. Pip organises and runs weekly sports sessions aimed at students who don't have the confidence to take part in sport or physical activity. Pip is very passionate about using sport and physical activity as a tool for students to achieve potential at University and learn lifelong skills through sport that can be transferred into future careers and life situations she enjoys seeing students have experiences she has had throughout her sporting journey as a coach and player.

31. Pip Bell – Multi Sports Coach Teesside University – Middlesbrough Pip has worked at Teesside University for 12yrs and played rugby for over 25yrs, she is very passionate about supporting and encouraging female students to become more physically active and get involved in sport as a participant and also supporting students to take up coaching through employing students as sports activators and supporting student volunteers. Pip organises and runs weekly sports sessions aimed at students who don't have the confidence to take part in sport or physical activity. Pip is very passionate about using sport and physical activity as a tool for students to achieve potential at University and learn lifelong skills through sport that can be transferred into future careers and life situations she enjoys seeing students have experiences she has had throughout her sporting journey as a coach and player.

32. Rachael Longstaff – Rugby Coach MowdenParrk Rugby Club - Darlington Rachael is an inspiration to many women! She runs the ladies touch and social contact teams and helps out in our girls section turning up every week to make sure girls are supported. She fundraises to get kit and brings in ladies who have never played the sport before supporting them and driving the women's game to increase numbers and make ladies aware that nothing can stop them when it comes to reaching personal goals and building their self esteem.

34. Rebecca Robinson – Football, Futsal, Netball, Multiskills Coach Inspire Coaching - Hartlepool Becky puts everything in to her coaching, she coaches for free week in week out at a local football club as well as branching out into her own business venture to try and bring more activities to the children in our town. She sets a super high standard which sets her above the rest, and is consistent with it. The sessions she delivers are always engaging and fresh. She is constantly looking to develop her own knowledge to put it into her sessions. As well as being a highly qualified football coach she is also qualified in netball, futsal, multiskills and many more! All done off her own initiative and in her own time. Doing this whilst managing family life of 2 children under 5 is amazing! She is an inspiration to those around her, and makes juggling a hectic life look like a walk in the park!

35. Sam Waugh – Athletics Coach Middlesbrough Track and field Sam is heavily involved in all aspects of developing opportunities for people to cycle but with a particular interest in developing track/velodrome cycling. Quite simply, Sam is an inspirational coach, particularly with children, working with them to overcome the significant technical challenges of cycling on a track/velodrome where the cyclist can face banked bends of up to 45 degrees on a fixed wheel cycle (you need to keep pedaling) with no brakes. Following a session on a velodrome with Sam children leave full of confidence, excited about their next session and with a smile of their face.

36. Help us spread the word of female coaches by tweeting & posting tonight on social media: #passonyourpassion @teesvalleysport

37. Samantha Johnson – Mixed Martial Arts Coach MAX Training Academy – Middlesbrough Sam is one of the most inspirational people we have worked with, she has been instrumental in setting up martial arts classes for children from all walks of life, including children of refugees and asylum seekers. She regularly works with schools promoting the health and well-being benefits of her sport, and teachers recognise the improvement in discipline and focus that results from this. She is not only a great coach, she is genuinely passionate about helping children and adults achieve their potential by encouraging participation and pathways to coaching. She has worked alongside us at Investing in People and Culture to introduce more children and adults from ethnic minority communities and those who are often excluded from mainstream sport provision to become involved with the club. The results speak for themselves, with both Tees Valley Sports and Children in Need as funding partners, and participants saying it has made a massive difference to their lives. Apart from all this, Sam is just a fantastic person who puts others first and communicates her passion and energy for her sport in a brilliant way.

38. Steph Robinson – Dodgeball Coach Hartlepool Mavericks Dodgeball Steph and Lucinda have managed to build a huge following and bring massive success to Hartlepool by bringing home champion titles across all ages in the dodge ball team. They are very passionate about what they do and have great rapport with community services and players alike.

39. Timmi Duncan – Dodgeball Coach Run for resilience – The Junction Foundation The Junction Foundation is a local Charity supporting children, young people. Over the past year we have developed a 'Run for Reslience' Project encouraging young people, mostly girls and female staff members who are inactive to get active.Timmi, who was not a runner, trained as a run leader and has be leading running sessions with young people. Timmi has participatied in Redcar Running Festival 2018 to raise funds for The Junction. Young people (mostly young carers) from our area have taken part in regular running sessions. Due to their caring roles these young people are often isolated and struggle to take part in outside activities. This project has given them opportunity to take part in sport and gain confidence. Timmi has worked with staff to develop a reward and incentive scheme for the young people, acknowledging their participation, development and achievements. Timmi has been a key part in making this project the success it has become.

40. We appreciate the hard work & dedication of female sport coaches, leaders, volunteers & helpers!

41. Tracy Russell – Run Leader Sister R Doing It – Stockton Tracy started the beginners running club to encourage women , who had never ran in their lives , to take it up. She encourages and supports us to believe in our ability as well as creating a feeling of unity within the group . She is a lovely person who deserves to be recognised for her hard work and commitment to us. She leads the beginners groups of Sisters R Doing It, all women’s running groups and empowers women of all ages and abilities to believe in themselves and to achieve their 5k goal. Her encouragement to help us ladies succeed & build our confidence. Always there for us to give advice I class her as a friend an amazing lady, she has helped me so much with difficult times in my life & the running helps also have made so many friends we support each other & now I've entered a marathon my confidence has grown so much.

42. Val Jones – Exercise Referral Co-ordinator Middlesbrough Council She has been a mentor to me consistently throughout my time working with her, showing the passion and joy she gets from her work. Teaching me numerous ways of interacting with clients, and how to forge positive relationships that make her adored by everyone she interacts with. She inspires me everyday, and I hope one day to be as good as her. I cant thank her enough for her teachings, and she never seems to stop. She deserves it.

43. Victoria Brown – Fitness & Exercise Coach Teesside University Victoria, is very passionate about supporting female students to become more physically active and get involved in sessions. Victoria runs a weekly female gym fit class aimed at students who don't have the confidence to take part in sport or physical activity. Victoria also supports students with mental health issues and uses physical activity to help them become more confident and overcome barriers associated with mental health. Victoria is very passionate about using physical activity as a tool for mental health and goes above and beyond her role to support students.

44. Wendy Glasper – Tees Valley Sound Tennis & North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club VI Tennis Wendy’s continuing buzz and boundless passion to open tennis up to more people across the Tees Valley and further is absolutely inspiring and infectious!

45. Yasmin Ellahi– Rounders/Walking Club/Healthy Cooking classes HALO Yasmin has identified an unmet need within the BME community across Tees Valley, specifically for those affected by abuse and very often in destitute situations. She has listened to what affected women need, these women and girls have little confidence and no support structures due their vulnerabilities. Yasmin has developed strong partnerships with Tees Valley Sport to develop tailored programmes which enable women to gain confidence and this has led to many using sport as a lunch pad to further education and training. Her leadership and coaching/mentoring qualities have provided sustained engagement through sport, equipped women and girls who do not always speak English to access support services who can help. She has continually engaged women and girls who are victims of abuse and listened to their ideas, developing them into sporting choices which have made a significant and positive impact in their lives. From organising meetings to booking venues, to working with key strategic partners to seek funds and programmes. Yasmin has provided true leadership and innovation through her clubs. She is an excellent communicator and works tirelessly to help affected communities across Tees Valley reach their potential. She has also promoted cohesion through sport and helped women to report hate crimes , her ability to engage all of the women and girls has been amazing-she has empathy, compassion for all-a true leader and a fantastic coach.

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47. Marsha Garrett – Dance Coach All in Youth Project Marsha is a dance teacher who provides opportunities for young people from Middlesbrough and Stockton's BAME communities - particularly those from black-African origin. Marsha is working with the communities on a range of initiatives including educating young girls on the practise of colourism where people with lighter skin tones are given preferentail treatment. This has led to the dangerous practise of skin lightening/skin bleaching among young females from the community and Marsha has used dance as a way to engage the girls and then educate them about the dangers of skin bleaching as well as empowering them to celebrate who they are and their heritage which has improved self-worth and improved the mental health of the participants. Marsha has proved to be an inspirational coach and community activist as well as an excellent dance teacher and her dance groups can been seen performing at community events around the Tees Valley.

48. Jessica Jolly – Yoga Coach Kalma Baby I am nominating Jessica because she finds innovative ways to inspire children to practice yoga. Jessica involves everyone in yoga and Jessica spends time building positive relationships with children to inspire them to practice yoga on a regular basis and to be able to see the physical and psychological benefits of learning the none competitive sport. Jessica brings yoga into Stockton's schools teaching children a skill they otherwise would not get chance to learn and a skill they will hopefully continue to develop for many many years to come

49. Amanda Coulson – Boxing Coach England Boxing I would like to nominate Amanda for her passion in developing female boxers and coaches alike by offering opportunities through her role as the Lead Development coach for England Boxing. Amanda has been a role model in a male dominated sport as a boxer for 16 years and more recently in the past 7 years as a coach- giving back to the sport that helped change her life. A recent innovation by Amanda has seen over 100 female Boxers and 15 female coaches come together in a Women’s aspire Programme which has been a huge success . She also actively plays a part in delivering athlete mentor visits into local schools using her journey in the sport to inspire the next generation.

50. Help us spread the word of female coaches by tweeting & posting tonight on social media: #passonyourpassion @teesvalleysport