WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO VISIT
We set up Spartan International Ltd in 2006, because we didn’t feel there was enough time spent developing Field Hockey Goalees at any level in the UK. We are now known as ‘Spartan Hockey’ or just ‘Spartan’. Spartan is the first Goalee specific private company set up in the UK that concentrates on providing World Class coaching events and sessions for Goalees. You will see from the types of coaching we do that we are at home working with newbees right through to Olympic and World X1 athletes. So we are not here just to provide sports camps in the holidays, we are 24/7 and would even work 365 days if the growing demand was there!
Our backgrounds in Learning and Development (Panda) and Ergonomics (Steve) means we think differently all the time, so you may have said, and won’t have been the first…“They spell Goalie wrong!” We believe by spelling it GOALEE, its gives this very important position a new identity and dimension. Our coaching develops daily from within, but also from those we coach, who we encourage our Golaees to own there own coaching at times.
We have set the company up with 2 values from the ancient Spartans. We believe in being simple and focused in our approach, but very disciplined in our delivery and coaching, thus we are “Simple and Disciplined”. Our Goalees are also encouraged to never retreat or surrender their goal in training and playing, so they have a motto of “No Retreat, No Surrender”.
Spartan has helped many Goalees achieve goals and dreams, from being part of a mini hockey age group team through to playing in the Olympic Games. Take a look below at what some of our Goalees say about us.
Play nicely!
WHAT THE GOALEES SAY!
"The Spartan team have taught me many ways to improve my game, from the principle of H.O.K.O.A to making me much more UGLEE, the work that all of the Spartan coaches put in is first class and without doubt helped me reach the England Squad.
I will continue to use Spartan to enhance my regular training sessions and I if I can pass on any advice from what I have learnt, it is repetition, repetition, repetition. Thank you team Spartan. The Spartan Experience is World Class!! No retreat, never surrender!!
Dan Darby, England U18s and Spartan Goalee of the Year 2011, Jan 2012
"Hi Steve. Thanks again to you, Panda and the team for a great day on Tuesday. Also wanted to confirm our current thinking regarding the 1:1 coaching package. We are aiming to be there for the Goalie Evening on 4 November and so hopefully will be able to discuss things further then"
A very focussed young Spartan Goalee, Bucks, Oct 2011
"My daughter loved the evening and had a really good chat with Beth (Storry) about how she chose between sports. Thanks for setting it up. A valuable evening for her. She loved the poster and T shirt etc and the whole experience."
A grateful Mother - after the International Workshop, Oxford , Nov 2011
"Just a quick email as my daughter had another thoroughly enjoyable goalee training day at Dereham Hockey Club with Panda! She has enjoyed being goalee for a couple of years now - but after the Spartan Futures Sports Camp in August and yesterday's day at Dereham - her passion for it has been ignited even further - and that's absolute credit to yourselves and of course Panda!
It was nice yesterday for my husband and I to meet Panda - as we had heard lots about him!"
A happy parent - Norfolk, Sept 2011
"I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you did with me over this past year, I had an amazing time in the Four Nations tournament in Spain and never thought that I would get to play for England. I probably wouldn't be there if it was not for Spartan and I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am. That log you taught me seriously helped and I wouldn't have saved 15 out of 16 Dutch short corners without it. Hopefully see you at a Spartan camp or something like that soon."
Martha Baker England U16 Goalee 2011
" Spartan Hockey not only developed my level of core skills, they also enabled me to develop my in game ability in the UGLEE zone.
The 2 years that I trained with Steve and Panda in the build up to Beijing were the most important in my hockey career and I owe a lot of my success to them and their coaching philosophy. Every goalkeeper needs to experience the Spartan Way of goalkeeping!!! "
Ali McGregor World Allstars Team 2008 and GB Olympic Team 2008
Hi Panda & Steve,
You beat us to it, late back & out early today for athletics, but thanks for yesterday. She enjoyed the day and its structure and thought all coaches were very good. Looking forward to future sessions.
Thanks, Essex
Hey, just want to say a massive thank you to you for Saturday! The camp was fantastic and is a big eye opener for me that there is some brilliant keepers out there and a lot of work that needs doing on my part. Notts
Hi Steve & Panda
Just wanted to say thanks for organising yesterday. Despite the acrimonious weather it was exceptionally enjoyable. Hetook a lot away from the day and seemed most impressed at the set-up, other keepers, the fact that it enabled him to train with older more experienced keepers; high praise indeed. Admittedly not all good as had he enjoyed it slightly less conversation may have been more varied on the trip back!!!
Best of luck with your various international commitments over the summer and hope to be involved with Spartan again soon Surrey