Hanes Llwyddiant Ysgoloriaeth Myfyrwraig - Claire Joll

Claire has been part of the Welsh Netball Student Bursary Scheme for the last year and a half and is an inspiration to anyone thinking of applying for the scheme.

Claire is currently coaching Treharris Junior Netball Club, two nights a week. Claire has become a very experienced and established coach at the club over the last few years and is constantly looking to improve and develop by gaining further qualifications to help her up the coaching ladder.

In her first year on the bursary Claire was funded to attend a UKCC Level 1 coaching course, which she successfully completed. She is now ready to progress onto the UKCC Level 2 in March (also funded by the bursary scheme), which shows great commitment in itself. She is an extremely valuable coach within her local authorities including Merthyr and Rhondda-Cynon-Taf. Claire is helping with many Netball initiatives in the areas including coaching mixed netball sessions in secondary schools as part of the Sports Council for Wales 5x60 scheme and also assisting at Dragon Netball festivals and all tournaments run by Welsh Netball. Claire has also been asked to coach Cardiff University Netball Teams, and although the players will be older than Claire, at 18, she is not fazed at all and more than willing to take on the role of their coach.

Claire’s commitment to coaching is second to none, and along with Laura Rees (also on the bursary scheme), has enquired about beginning a new club in an area where netball participation is currently weak. This highlights the enthusiasm Claire has to create as many opportunities as possible for both children and adults to participate in netball and enjoy it.

Claire is a fantastic role model for the people she coaches and young coaches coming through and its people like Claire who they need to aspire to.