On Friday 8th November, ex England netball head coach, Tracey Neville MBE hosted a coaching masterclass at Bloxham School.
The course was attended by three of Bloxham’s own sports staff (pictured above: Mrs Collins, Tracey Neville, Miss Manning and Mrs James) along with representatives from other schools in the Oxfordshire area including Stowe, Tudor Hall and St Edwards.
Bloxham School has become a regular host for Independent Coach Education (ICE), an organization that provides a comprehensive approach to all elements of school sport. The one-day course had over 20 netball coaches attend and learn from the very best in the country. Neville was awarded an MBE for services to netball in 2016 and in 2018 capped a memorable year by helping the England Roses pick up the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Lisa Manning, Head of Netball at Bloxham School (herself a coach for England Netball pathway athletes, Saracens Mavericks U19’s and Oxford University) commented:’
‘Today has been a fantastic day for netball in the region. To have Tracey Neville at Bloxham School has been absolutely wonderful and to learn from her in this masterclass session has been incredibly beneficial. Hopefully the other coaches here today have picked up several new ideas and will now go and share these with their school children. Netball is growing in popularity around the country and to have Tracey at Bloxham today further supports the work being done.’
Neville, who retired earlier this year after leading England to a bronze medal at the 2019 World Cup and a glorious gold medal against hosts Australia in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, is also the twin sister of Phil Neville, the head coach of the England women’s football team and younger sister of ex Manchester Utd star and Sky pundit Gary Neville.