SPORT STAFF FOCUS VOL.2

Jo Roberts

has 25 years of PE teaching experience, a Sport Science degree and several coaching qualifications! She is a netball specialist (coach, umpire and player), as well as cricket coach and player so her knowledge of both these sports in particular is passed on to pupils. Jo also teaches PE GCSE. In her spare time, she plays netball and cricket and loves to watch live sport on TV to learn from the professionals!

“I enjoy the fantastic team ethos at St. Edmund’s where everyone is involved and given a chance to play sport against other schools. The PE department is very welcoming and being part of a thriving department is exciting.”

Mrs Roberts

VERITY STONEMAN-BOON

is Assistant Director of Sport at St. Edmunds and teaches Sport Science to Forms 10 and 11. She has played Netball and Hockey to Regional level as well as being a Regional level swimmer. Verity is a qualified Personal Trainer, a Level 2 netball coach and a Level 1 swim teacher. Outside St. Edmund’s, Verity plays netball and goes to the gym five times a week and she has recently started playing golf.

“I really enjoy seeing the pupils progress and grow in all sports. It is also great to see them get involved in a large variety of sports throughout the school year.”

Mrs Stoneman-Boon

Sam Woodger

is now Assistant Head, Senior Pastoral and teaches Form 9 Sport Science, as well as games to Forms 3 to 11. Growing, up Sam played a variety of sports including rugby, hockey, ice hockey, cricket and basketball. His main sport has always been rugby and he has played for Haslemere, Petersfield and most recently Guildford. Sam completed his RFU Level 2 coaching course during university (whilst he was coaching academy rugby) and he was also the rugby president during his third year. In his spare time, Sam regularly plays golf at Old Thorns. With the rugby season coming to a close, he has also just started winter nets for the up-coming cricket season.

“I love how the children get to play such a variety of sports at St. Edmund’s but also have enough time on each to gain a technical and tactic understating. Working with a team, you really get the opportunity to see them develop and improve as the season progresses.”

Mr Woodger

Emma Macready

was Head of Department at The Royal for ten years before joining St. Edmund’s. Emma works part time and specialises in cross country and athletics as well as running the Active Academies Holiday Sports Camps and after school run clubs. Emma also teaches games to Reception to Form 11. Emma LOVES running, particularly cross-country and spending time in the gym to support her running and to avoid injury. She has recently qualified to run for England Masters in the Half- Marathon distance.

“I particularly enjoy taking the matches and watching the children perform and put what they learn in school into practice.”

Mrs Macready

Zachary Evans

teaches games lessons and has experience coaching nearly all year groups at St. Edmund’s, including EYFS. He has a Level 1 FA coaching football qualification and a degree in Football Coaching and Performance. He has played football ever since he was five years old and stopped playing at club level when he was 16. He now plays socially with friends and sometimes in a five-a-side league. Outside St. Edmunds, Zackary plays a lot of tennis at The Bourne club as well as football on a regular basis.

“I really enjoy match afternoons at St. Eds. They provide a great opportunity for the students to test their abilities in a competitive environment which I believe is really beneficial for them. I also enjoy the ability to be creative with the sessions the department puts on, as there are so many aspects of sport and such a wide variety of sports available here”.

Mr Evans

Emily Humfress

currently teaches PSB lessons in Sport Science and PE for Form 8 which she is thoroughly enjoying. Emily has previously taught GCSE PE and Sports Science and completed both GCSE and A-level PE when she was at school. She teaches games to all year groups from Forms 3 to 11 in a wide range of sports including netball, hockey, swimming, football, athletics, rounders, tennis and cricket.

Emily plays netball and hockey and competes in triathlons. She plays in the south regional netball league and has played regional hockey in the past. During lockdown Emily took up triathlon and learnt to ride a road bike. She then managed to qualify for the GB Age-Group triathlon team after her first race and went on to complete a half ironman and 2 ultra-marathons.

In her spare time, Emily loves going to the gym and trains hard for triathlon and netball and also plays cricket and hockey socially. Emily also trains for swimming and cycling three to five times a week and has recently started slowly running again after a six-part femur fracture that happened in September 2021. While running an ultra-marathon Emily fell and shattered her femur. She has since been working hard on her recovery and has entered a half ironman in October that she hopes to be able to complete. It will be her first big come back race after such a life changing injury.

“I love being outside and seeing pupils enjoying sport and being active. I really enjoy seeing pupils progress and truly believe that is a sport for every child. I think it is really important as a PE/Games teacher to inspire the next generation to be active and enjoy sport.”

Miss Humfress