Hockey Coaching Award for Grace 31 March 2021

Year 12 student Grace Brady has completed the Level One Hockey Coaching Award delivered by the Federation of International Hockey (FIH). Grace was the youngest on the programme by nearly 10 years and one of the youngest to have achieved the award.

The programme involved three online sessions which she completed during lockdown, followed by a presentation and a formal interview with the facilitator. Grace took part alongside hopeful coaches from around the world including participants from South Africa, USA and Europe.

The award is the first level of the FIH Coaching Education Pathway which focusses on the role of a coach, the coaching environment, coaching theory and practical ability.

Grace said: “I am delighted to have earned this qualification as it enables me to further my current coaching at BMS as well as coaching externally. I found the process intense but very enjoyable and it has really helped in developing me as a player as well as a coach in lots of different aspects of the game. I plan to reach the higher-level qualifications in the future and the connections I have made with coaches from across the world will be of great value to this.”

Harry Benjamin, Head of Hockey at BMS, commented: “Grace has an impressive passion and drive towards her hockey at school and club which she has furthered through obtaining an excellent qualification. Congratulations to her and we look forward to supporting her hockey going forward.”

FIH Coach Developer and Head of Hockey at Oundle School, Grahame Mansell-Grace, added: “Grace was very impressive and clearly has a good hockey brain. She is a credit to BMS.”