Development Officers

The Sports Development Unit was formed in August 1996 with a total of one member of staff! Another full time position was filled in 1999 with the addition of a sports development officer.

The first sign of sports employing their own development officers was the Guernsey Squash Racquets Associations appointment of a Director of Squash in the late nineties and the Channel Islands Cricket Boards appointment of a part time cricket development officer funded by the ECB.

There are now full or part time development officers in eight sports, Athletics, Badminton, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Squash, Table Tennis, and Tennis (Channel Islands). Here's a brief introduction from them as to who they are and their roles within their sports.

Athletics – Dale Garland

Dale is the part time Athletics Development Officer and is assisted by Martine Scholes on the administration side of things. Dale is based at the Garenne Stand at Footes lane and can be contacted on the number below.

Rugby - Geraint Cooper

Geraint took up the post of Rugby Development Officer at the beginning of January 2009. His main focus will be on junior development however he will be looking to intigrate tag, touch and women's Rugby in to the equation.

Cricket – Jason Shambrook

The Guernsey Cricket Board run coaching and leagues for players of all ages and abilities throughout the year. Guernsey have just become affiliate members of the ICC which means that we compete in international tournaments across the world! If you want to have fun playing at whatever level that suits you please contact me using the details supplied below.  The vision of the Football Development Team in Guernsey is simply to "Create better opportunities for all to participate in football".

Football - Paul Mooney

The FA Football Development Plan is focused upon: Start, Stay and Succeed, and the core business of the Football Development Team focuses upon the following key outcomes: increasing participation, improving levels of performance and widening access to football.  This is achieved through three key areas of work; Club Development, Education Development and the Football Workforce.

We endeavour to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to participate in high quality football activity.  We are currently working with an increasing number of partners to increase delivery capacity on the island.

Table Tennis – Becks O’Keefe

Becks spends much of her time as a Development Officer developing the junior side of the game. Juniors are split into 3 different groups; high potential, development and beginners. The high potential candidates train 3 times a week, with the others training twice a week. Becks also works with Primary Schools in the Island, and assists with the administration of the Junior League, monthly Junior Tournaments and parent volunteer co-ordination. Becks would like to point out that the Table Tennis Centre at La Hougue du Pommier is available for hire to all local Schools during term-time.

Squash - Ben Rosec 

Ben is the Director of Squash for the GSRA and his main role is to promote squash in Guernsey and therefore covers everything from grass roots to elite participation. At grass roots level Ben spends a lot of time going into schools to introduce the game of squash to children and teachers alike. These youngsters can then attend various club sessions, which are run by qualified coaches at different times throughout the season.

Promising juniors have the chance to develop thier game further by playing competitions on and off island. Juniors who reach a good playing level are encouraged to enter the adult competitions and leagues. Both junior and senior development programmes involve educating players on refereeing and marking, coaching, health, fitness and safety.

For further information contact http://www.guernseysquash.com

Hockey - Sally Bushell

The Guernsey Hockey Association Development Programme run by the Hockey Development Group has it's primary focus on Youth Development. The main focus is on  school years 5 and 6 hockey within schools and under 13 developmental sessions. Coach and Umpire education is also greatly encouraged with courses held to enable new coaches and umpires to become qualified and to develop the skills of existing officials.
http://www.guernseyhockey.com/

Summary of Contact Details