Meet some Female Coaches

Scottish Hockey is proud to host a high volume of female players compared to many other sports. Many of our women members go the extra mile to volunteer, umpire and organise competitions as well as hold positions in their club or Scottish Hockey committees.  Despite this presence, there is a lack of qualified female coaches across Scotland at all levels of competition. Workforce Development Plans are now being put in place to recruit women and support them into coaching careers.

Scottish Hockey did a quick Q&A with six successful female coaches from all levels to gain an insight into why they love what they do and to motivate other women to pick up a coaching board.

Emma Rochlin is an all round hockey fanatic.   Not only does she play at GB level and is a Scottish internationalist, she also has an impressive coaching record.  Emma coaches across the board at school, youth club and district level.  She completed a level 2 qualification through Scottish Hockey and has been coaching for two years.  So Emma, tell us…
Why or what got you interested in coaching?
I wanted to pass on my knowledge and understanding of the game to others.
Why did you attend the course and what did you get from it?
I attended the course to improve my coaching and enable me to get a coaching job. As a result, I learned about different ways of delivering coaching sessions.  Everybody has their own way of delivering sessions and it was interesting to see how different people did it.
What’s your top coaching tip?
Do the simple things well.
What is your coaching philosophy?
Train even harder than you play.
What’s the most memorable moment of your coaching career so far?
I won the Midlands Regional Indoor Championships this season with the under 18 boy’s school team I am assistant coach with.
How did you get involved in playing hockey?
I started playing when I was at school.
What inspired you to play at National and ultimately GB level?
I would have to say Wendy Justice because she was an Olympic medal winner.
What did you have to compromise or even give up in life in order to reach your potential in hockey?
I gave up my career, and I still never reached my potential!

After years of playing and making it to GB level, Janet Jack tried her hand as a school, club and district coach. She herself started playing in school and still plays for her club today. Janet has enjoyed coaching for seven years and holds a Hockey Leaders Tutor and Level 2 qualification through Scottish Hockey….
Why or what got you interested in coaching?
I have been very fortunate to get to the level that I have and I would love to see people having the same opportunity.  Melrose Ladies was the first club I started playing with at school. It feels right to use the experience I have gained over the years to help the club develop and compete at the appropriate level. At Junior Level, there is no organised skill development in the Borders area out with the schools and I believe that the youngsters will benefit from more advanced skills sessions to allow them to compete with other areas.
Who is your role model and why?
Lesley Millar (nee Hancock).   When I played Senior South, way back in the 70’s, she was our captain. She was a very fit and skilful player. I always admired her athleticism and her manner with the team.  She was always positive and quietly determined.
What’s your top coaching tip?
Understand the individuals you are coaching so you can get the best out of each and every one.
What is your coaching philosophy?
Always be positive…negativity gets you and your players nowhere.
What’s the most memorable moment of your coaching career so far?
Every time I see young players amaze themselves at achieving something they were convinced they couldn’t do! 
What inspired you to play at National and ultimately GB level?
Once I was in the ‘system’ of Scottish hockey at schoolgirl level I loved the experience of learning.  I always wanted to improve and had my sights set on achieving a place in the Olympic team.
What did you have to compromise or even give up in life in order to reach your potential in hockey?
Lots! To achieve this level you have to be extremely selfish. At the time I don’t think that I ever believed I was being so, but I was on a mission and nothing was going to stand in the way. Some things you can control, like training physically and developing skills, eating habits, sleep. But to achieve things you have to be very disciplined. I know my husband and family would say that they were ignored for long periods!

Pauline Stott retired from playing for GB in 2000 and decided to wear a new hat around the pitch. The next best thing to playing was coaching.  She is currently a school and youth club coach and still plays for her club Bonagrass Grove. Pauline is currently completing her level 2 coaching qualification.
Why or what got you interested in coaching?
Giving something back to the youngsters was always my intention.
What did you get from the coaching courses?
I gained technical knowledge from the course and how to give a more rounded coaching session.
Who is your role model and why?
Rick Charlesworth from Australia is my role model as he is dedicated, determined and knowledgeable of the game.  The results he produced with his squad speak for themsleves!
What’s your top coaching tip?
Be yourself and be enthusiastic and know your players and their capabilities.
What’s the most memorable moment of your coaching career so far?                                  The most memorable part of my coaching career was when I got to the semi-final of teh Scottish Cup in 2007/2008 with Bonagrass Grove Juniors, the team I coach.                                          
How did you get involved in playing hockey?
I got involved in hockey through school.  I played from Form 1 at high school.
What inspired you to play at National and ultimately GB level?
Initially it was watching hockey on the TV.  I watched the Seoul Olympics and saw GB win the gold. I was very inspired by that!
What did you have to compromise or even give up in life in order to reach your potential in hockey?
I had to give up most things like socialising and I’ve had no holidays other than when I’ve been away to play.

Hilary Atkinson is a Youth Club Coach. She has been coaching for 10 years after completing a Leaders course in 1998. She holds a SHU Level 1 course as well as Badminton coaching qualifications.
Why or what got you interested in coaching?
I had an increasing interest during senior school and in my final year at school I helped out with the junior PE classes and really caught the coaching bug. Both my parents were involved in coaching and I was also encouraged by coaches who I have been fortunate to work with.
What did you get from the coaching courses?
I learnt not only the technicalities of the "what to coach", such as strokes and the tactics and principles of playing, but also the "how to coach" skills such as communication skills, delivery methods and session planning that are transferable into many arenas, not only coaching. I also learnt from the other candidates on the courses and shared skills and experience.
Who is your role model and why?
I have been fortunate to experience and work with lots of people and have learnt something from all of them!
What’s your top coaching tip?
Keep it simple - it doesn't matter what age the players are, the more straightforward the explanation the better.
What is your coaching philosophy?
I believe we should be encouraging more of our best coaches to work with young children so that young people have the basic fundamentals and correct skills in whichever sport they choose to play to allow them the ability and enjoyment to participate throughout life.
What’s the most memorable moment of your coaching career so far?
It is a pleasure every time a player, especially a young player, grasps a new concept or realises an improvement in their performance.

Mabel Neish is a National League Men's Div 1 Club and past National Coach. She has been coaching since 1998 and holds a Level 3 qualification.
Why or what got you interested in coaching?
Coaching is the next best thing to playing.
Why did you attend the courses and what did you get from them?
I attended because I was asked to and I gained knowledge from the other coaches there, including things I still practice today.  The feedback which was given to me by the coaches gave me a better understanding of variation within a session, how to build up from 2v1 into a structured session relating to game play, transition, possession play, and rotation within the team (not all at once though!!).   The coaches were positive and helpful whilst addressing the issues that always require to be improved.
Who is your role model and why?
Dennis Hay - he mentored me in Holland during a workshop in1998 and he has been a constant source of knowledge.
What’s your top coaching tip?
Positivity and Honesty - players see right through you.  Also, never settle for being a video person when you can be a coach.  A video person is vital to the team, however if you are sent on coaching workshops I believe you should not be taking a video session, but analysing games (and all that involves) and learning from the more experienced coaches there - listening to what they are saying and looking and understanding how they change things for the better. I have no interest in videoing hockey, but a huge interest in watching it and learning from experienced coaches.
What is your coaching philosophy?
“To dare is to do", always give the players the belief they can achieve.
What’s the most memorable moment of your coaching career so far?
The most memorable moment in sport was playing in 2 Commonwealth Games (1978 and 1986 table tennis), so I know what it takes to get to a certain level from a playing and a coaching point of view. The most memorable moment in coaching is working with Inverleith Men in National 1. Also, no other female has coached a men’s national 1 team.

Yvonne Baillie is a School and Club Coach. She has been coaching for ten years and holds a Level 1 qualification.
Why or what got you interested in coaching?
I enjoyed hockey when I played at school.  The kids started playing and they needed a coach so I decided to give it a go.
What’s your top coaching tip?
Make it fun!
What is your coaching philosophy?
Work hard and enjoy the benefits.
What’s the most memorable moment of your coaching career so far?
Being awarded the Grassroots Coach of the year 2005/2006.