HERE YOU WILL FIND OUT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO FOUNDED SPARTAN AND WHAT MAKES THEM TICK!
Grahame Mansell -Grace (aka Panda) : Director
Experience
I have had over 35 years involvement with Field Hockey. 20 years as a coach at all levels of the game from introducing goaleeing through to preparing International & Olympic goalees. Worked with England, Wales and USA National Teams.
I have vast experience in the domestic National Leagues and have worked with many of the top clubs. Also, working with the development of young goalees at school, club and regional activities.
Ethos
I believe that training should be simple, achievable and very importantly be enjoyable. Approach to coaching is to look at every aspect of the Goalee's life and structure a plan that makes sure they succeed.
No matter the age or experience of the Goalee, I take into consideration, time commitments, physical capacity and the Goalee's overall psychological approach to exercise.
You can find athletic training plans on the internet, but I like to sit down with the Goalee and their parents and/or coach, if applicable and work out the technical needs and also the physical and mental needs to get through each week and help them remain commited.
I am above all approachable, reliable, committed and understandable that Goaleeing has to be realistic and fit in with your life, job, school and family.
Steve Bayer : Director
Experience
I’ve been coaching for 15 years now. The first seven years were as a player coaching myself and others around me. Seven years ago I retired due to injury and have focussed my attention to coaching all ages from the 3 footers up to full internationals. I have worked across all international age groups both male and female and currently involved in the GB women’s preparations for London 2012.
I have worked in club world for many years ranging from the National Premier League through to social summer leagues and within the school and University environments too. I’m happy to coach on a 1vs1 basis or within a group or camp environment all which pose interesting and differing challenges.
Ethos
I always aim to create an exciting learning environment which is based around core principles of simple delivery leading to good understanding which in turn leads to quality execution of skills at the right time.
I’m a strong believer in finding solutions tailored to the Goalee. It is not about following a rule book to every word and enforcing change on a goalee but adapting these principles to suit the goalees style and needs. This position does not follow a one size fits all approach.
To be part of a Goalees development and to assist them in reaching their full potential – I feel this goes beyond the turf. You have to assist with strength and conditioning, nutrition, injury prevention and understand how they feel about their hockey and importantly what they want from it. For some it will be aspiring to play at international level but for others it will be about having fun and picking up a few tips. Whatever the aspiration is you have to do your best in developing a process that achieves that goal.