• Hazel Irvine features in an interview ahead of the Women's British Open to be broadcast from 2pm, this Thursday, on BBC2 (scroll down for further details). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/07/31/somysp131.xml

• Four England players qualify for Women’s British Open
  
  England international Melissa Reid (right) led the qualifiers for the Ricoh Women's British Open which starts on the Old Course at St Andrews on Thursday.
  
  Melissa, who has already scored a top ten finish alongside the pros in this season’s Ladies’ English Open, will be joined in the field by three fellow England players.
  
  Rachel Bell (Ganton), Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) and Naomi Edwards (Ganton) were among the 21 qualifiers from the field of 123 players at the New Course, St Andrews.
  
  Melissa, the Scottish strokeplay champion and St Rule Trophy winner, shot a two-under par 70. The 19-year old from Chevin Golf Club in Derbyshire, was four-under on the back nine, with an eagle three on the 10th and birdies on the 15th and 17th.
  
  Rachel Bell and Kerry Smith both returned level par scores and shared third place. Kerry had contrasting nines, with three bogeys on the way out and three birdies on the way home. Rachel’s round included two birdies and an eagle on the 10th.
  
  English champion Naomi Edwards birdied the 18th to avoid going into a play-off. She returned a one-over 73 which included three birdies and an eagle three on the 12th.
  
  European Tour rookie Sophie Walker from Lincolnshire also qualified on one over par. Sophie was one of England’s leading amateurs before she turned pro at the end of last season.
  
  Fourteen golfers who tied on two-over were involved in a play-off for the final eight places in the championship. Among the successful competitors was 16-year-old Sally Watson from Scotland.

• BBC Coverage of the 2007 Women's British Open
  Thu 2 Aug, 1:00 pm - 5:15 pm
  
  Live coverage of the historic opening round of the Ricoh Women's British Open, with female professionals playing for the first time on The Old Course at St Andrews.
  
  Also looking to break new ground will be Mexico's new world number one Lorena Ochoa, who awaits her first major title. Her predecessor at the top of the rankings, Annika Sorenstam, was a winner of this event in 2003 and needs to clinch the title this weekend to maintain her run of at least one major victory every year since 2001.
  
  The last British winner was Karen Stupples, in 2004, who has recently returned to the game following the birth of her son. Rejuvenated former world number one Laura Davies will also hope to have an impact in a tournament she won more than 20 years ago.

Labels: golf

The London FA are looking to recruit two Women and Girls Development Officers, for North and South London.
For further details and geographical area the job descriptions can be downloaded from the London FA's website: www.londonfa.com.

This position will be within the Association’s successful and highly regarded Development Team reporting to the County Development Manager, responsible to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Football Association’s Regional Development Manager and the Greater London Girls Football Development Officer.

Specific areas of work will include:

• Club Development
• Education
• Competition and
• League Development Coach and Volunteer Development
  

To apply you would need the following:

• A proven track record in football/sports development or similar activity
• An understanding of football development initiatives introduced by The Football
  Association
• An understanding of the role and responsibilities of a County Football Association
• The ability to work under pressure in a demanding environment
• The ability to produce strategic documents, work plans, and meet deadlines
• Sound communication skills with experience of giving public presentations
• Be fully IT literate
• Be prepared to work evenings and weekends as may be required

Based at London’s County FA’s Headquarters, Fulham, South West London, candidates
should also have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence at all levels. You
need to be able to work some evenings and weekends when required.
London FA is committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections
of the community.

Successful applicants will be offered an 18 month contract.
Salary: £22,000
To apply please send a Curriculum Vitae (no more than 2 A4 pages) with a covering letter to:
The Chief Executive, London Football Association Limited,
11 Hurlingham Business Park, Sulivan Road, Fulham SW6 3DU

The closing date for applications is:
Tuesday 14th August 2007
Interviews will be held on either:
Tuesday 28th August and Friday 31st August 2007

Labels: job vacancies

Marketing and Communications Assistant - 37 hours per week
Salary – Scale 2/ 3 (£13854 - £15825)

Fixed Term Contract for 2 years

The post holder will be responsible for assisting the Marketing Officer to promote the activities of Derbyshire Sport. This will include updating and developing the Derbyshire Sport website, writing press releases and liaising with the local press and media. The role also includes supporting the delivery of conferences and events.

The successful candidate will have a relevant degree or similar qualification. They will also be an excellent copy writer, have some experience of working in a marketing or communications environment, excellent IT skills, enthusiasm in abundance and an interest in sport and leisure.

For further details and application form – Telephone Call Derbyshire on 0845 6058058 quote ref: DCC/07/3190 or visit the website www.derbyshire.gov.uk/jobs

Click here for a job description, person specification and details on how to apply.

Closing Date: 12 August 2007.

Labels: job vacancies

Kent captain Charlotte Edwards returns to the home of women's cricket in Taunton next week in staunch defence of the LV Women's County Championship after a convincing start to their 2007 campaign.

After three games, Kent head up Division One but Sussex, led by former England captain Clare Connor, are in hot pursuit and full of expectation of causing an upset over the next three days of the championship, to be held at six grounds around Taunton.

Kent's Edwards to defend title
Kent open up their finals round matches against third-placed Nottinghamshire on July 24, followed by Lancashire on July 25 and Sussex on July 26 for what could be a repeat of last year’s 'winner takes all' match.

However, Nottinghamshire captain Jenny Gunn will be keen for her side to maintain their steady start to the campaign and fight Kent and Sussex all the way for the crown of LV County Champions.

In Division Two, any one of four teams are still in with a chance of promotion. Somerset must close the 22 point gap between them and Isa Guha’s unbeaten Berkshire side if they are resume their place in the top division. Bottom placed Yorkshire will be looking for a strong start to the week to erase the memories of their past three matches and haul themselves out of the relegation zone.

With three further games still to be played over three days there is all the play for as the race for a place in Division One reaches boiling point.

Division Three remains the tightest of the groups so far. Warwickshire, Middlesex and Cheshire are all in the running for promotion while Staffordshire will want to avoid the ignominy of relegation to the LV County Challenge Cup. Warwickshire will look to continue their form from the last few years by gaining back-to-back promotions, this time to Division Two, having won the LV County Challenge Cup in 2006.

Gill McConway, Executive Director of Women’s Cricket commented: “I can’t wait for this year’s LV County Championships to start. Hosting it at the Home of Women’s Cricket is unbelievable. We are privileged to have six superb grounds in Taunton to hold the final rounds.

"The partnership that is evolving between Somerset County Cricket Club and Taunton town is helping to raise the profile of women’s cricket throughout the region. I wish all the 12 teams participating luck for what promises to be one of the most closely fought LV County Championships for years.”

At the half-way stage Claire Taylor of Berkshire tops the highest runs, having accumulated 141 at an average of 47 in her three innings, including a highest score of 59.

Emily Drumm of Kent and Elwyn Campbell of Somerset lie second with 115 runs each, at an average of 115 and 33 respectively. On the bowling front, Surrey captain Sarah Clarke has claimed nine scalps at under 10 each, while Anya Shrubsole of Somerset, Isa Guha of Berkshire and Kathryn Cross of Lancashire all have eight wickets apiece.

Click below for fixtures and tables:
LV Womens County Championship (56 KB, word document)

Labels: cricket

Warwickshire’s Elizabeth Mallett (pictured right) became a national titleholder at the age of 12, when she won the English Schools U-16 championship at Thetford, Norfolk.

Elizabeth, a member of one of ELGA’s birdie squads, took the title four days before her 13th birthday with rounds of 82 and one-over par 75.

She was two shots clear of her closest rival, Alex Peters, the reigning English U13 and Midland ladies’ champion from Notts Ladies’, who scored 84, 75. Norfolk schools’ champion Emma Davies, from Eaton in Norwich, held the halfway lead on 80 and added a second round 85 to finish third.

Elizabeth, a four-handicapper from Sutton Coldfield Ladies, said afterwards: “This is the biggest win of my life and I still can’t quite believe I did it."

“I was pleased that I was able to hold it together over the last few holes and make a couple of 6ft putts when I needed them most.”

She was two shots off the lead after the morning round but took the initiative in the afternoon, helped by a birdie on her fourth hole, the 17th, and an eagle three on the next where she holed a 60-yard pitch. It was her fourth eagle of the season.

Elizabeth took up golf on her ninth birthday after her father gave her a present of a nine-iron and a putter. She quickly got her first handicap and hopes to be off two by the end of this season.

She’s the Warwickshire U-15 champion and was the county’s most improved girl golfer of 2006, when she also won the Warwickshire schools championship. Elizabeth was runner-up in last year’s English girls’ U-13 championship and is aiming to go one better when the 2007 event starts next week at Brickendon Grange in Hertfordshire.

Labels: golf

As you may be aware recent changes to The FA’s constitution are starting to take place with Soho Square looking to make appointments for two new advisory groups that will report directly to The FA Board.

Individuals from a variety of different cultural and social backgrounds are being invited to apply for the Race Equality (REAG) and Disability Equality (DEAG) Advisory Groups with The FA looking to represent a wider cross section of communities as part of their ongoing strategy.

The FA’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Simon Johnson, commented: “As part of the FA's new constitution, the creation of these new Advisory Groups moves issues of disability and race equality to the centre of our decision making.

“We hope that we will attract interest from a wide range of people who are willing to make a contribution to helping The FA and football move forward in these important areas."

Positions on both Advisory Groups are voluntary although expenses will be reimbursed.

If you’re interested in applying to be an advisory group member please go to www.thefa.com/TheFA/JobsAtTheFA/ for more information.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Monday 20th August.

I would be grateful if you could pass this information on to anyone you think may be interested in applying and if you have any queries with regards to these advisory groups please contact Jackie Newing on 0207 745 4895 or email Jackie.newing@TheFA.com

Labels: job vacancies

Isle of Dogs resident and competitive waterskier, Marie Toms, 27 became the British National Slalom Champion in the category 2 age group (25-35 years of age). The event was held 21st/22nd July at Liquid Leisure in Datchet and saw the UK's top waterskiers battle it out on the water.

Marie (right) competed as a member of the British Waterski Team for 13 years and in 2004 took a break from competition. She returned to competition in 2007 and has since won every event she has entered.

Marie is currently a student at London South Bank University and works part time as a Fitness Trainer for the Reebok Sports Club located in Canary Wharf. Her clients have included West Ham Football Team and international athletes from various sports.
She is the Face of Delph Sunscreen campaigning for skin cancer awareness and is sponsored by: Camaro Wetsuits, Maru Swimwear, Girls4Sport, Ultra Sport Europe, For Goodness Shakes Recovery Drinks, Tower Hamlets Sports Council and London South Bank University.

More information about Marie is available on her personal website: http://www.marietoms.co.uk/ or by contacting her directly on 07976 793 295 or at marietoms@aol.com.

Labels: waterskiing

Are you a keen runner or up for a new challenge?

Would you enjoy a fun day out with your girlfriends?

Wouldn’t it be great to do something for charity at the same time?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then St John’s Hospice has an excellent opportunity for you.

You and your friends can help the Hospice by taking part in the Hydro Active Women’s 5k Challenge - the UK 's premier 5k women's road running event!

This event is taking place on Sunday 16th September 2007 in Hyde Park and there are still a small number of places available. Registration for the event is simple: just go to womenschallenge.co.uk and book your place now! Entry to the run only costs £15 but by entering St John’s Hospice’s details in the charity section of the form, £5 of this money will come straight to us. Of course, you can also ask your friends and family and colleagues for sponsorship for the race, so if you are interested in taking part, please contact Danielle (details below) and she will provide you with an online sponsorship option and personalised forms.

St John's Hospice is a truly unique and positive place. They provide free care to anyone in Central and North West London suffering from a terminal illness, such as Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Motor Neurone Disease and vCJD. Through the In-patient Unit, Day Services Centre and Community Team, they focus on the needs of each individual, ensuring that they are able to enjoy the highest quality of life available to them. In order to continue to provide this care, they need to raise over £1.5 million a year; therefore events such as these are of hugely benefit.

For more information on the run or sponsorship ideas, please call Danielle on 020 7806 4074 or email danielle.reiterbund@hje.org.uk.

Labels: events

# posted by Womens Sports Foundation @ 7/20/2007 04:09:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post   

Labels: job vacancies

3 year fixed term contract
Starting September 2007 (January 2008 start may be considered)

QTS: Main Pay Scale (18hrs pro rata)
Non QTS: Kent Scheme Salary Band 7 point 20 – 24 £19,572 - £22,268, adjusted pro rata to 18hrs £9,521 - £10,833

Borden Grammar School is seeking a dynamic and ambitious Community Gymnastics Coach to work within Sheppey & Sittingbourne School Sport Partnership.

The Coach wills work closely with the Partnership Development Manager and SSCo responsible for development of Gymnastics to increase participation in Gymnastics After School Clubs, establish Satellite Gymnastics Club and support teachers delivering gymnastics in PE and School Club Links.

The post holder will also aim to increase the number of active coaches locally, through a mentoring and support programme.

Applications are sought from Gymnastics Coaches committed to raising standards in PE and school sport with a desire to disseminate good practice to teachers. The duties of this post may be varied for a QTS as they may be involved in coaching and mentoring during curriculum hours. As such this may reduce participation in OSHL.
Job share may be considered.

An Enhanced CRB Disclosure is required for this post.

Informal discussion please call Rosie Tribe, PDM 07704 389819 or Lynn Potter, Kent Gymnastics Development Officer on 07739512206
Full details and an application form: Borden Grammar School, Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 4DB
Borden Grammar School (01795) 424192

Closing date for applications: noon Friday 20th July 2007
Interviews to be held: Tuesday 24th July 2007

Sport England is managing this scheme with the support of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and other partners based on the recommendations of the Coaching Task Force.

Labels: job vacancies

Charlton Athletic Football Club’s successful women’s team is to be closed down. The decision is part of drastic cost-cutting measures being introduced following the men's club's relegation from the Premier League last season. But should the future of women’s football be tied to the fortunes of the men’s teams? Miriam talked to Sue Tibballs, Chief Executive at the Women’s Sports Foundation and Rachel Pavlou, Head of Women’s Football at the FA about what the closure means for the women’s game.

You can listen to this item again by visiting bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/ram/2007_27_tue_03.ram

Labels: wsf in the media

England beat Germany 4-3 in a tight tussle to win the bronze medal at the European ladies’ team championship at Castelconturbia in Italy.

“It was breathtakingly exciting,” said team captain Jenny Clink after she watched Melissa Reid (right) coolly slot a six-footer on the 17th to seal the result.

“I’m immensely proud of them all, they have played beautifully,” said Jenny. “They really are a great team with a terrific team spirit between them.”

The morning foursomes were halved, with Melissa and Jodi Ewart wrapping up their match on the 12th, while Naomi Edwards and Kerry Smith were narrowly beaten on the last green.

In the singles Jodi and Rachel Bell scored convincing wins while Kerry Smith was beaten by a barrage of birdies and Florentyna Parker lost on the 18th.

Meanwhile, Melissa was involved in a match in which the advantage see-sawed between the two players. Crucially, the England player seized the initiative to reach the 17th tee one up - and she grabbed her chance to win her point and secure the medal.

Match results (England names first).

Foursomes: Naomi Edwards (Ganton) & Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) lost to Stephanie Kirchmayr & Denise Becker 1 down. Melissa Reid (Chevin) & Jodi Ewart (Catterick) beat Sandra Gal & Thea Hoffmeister 7/6.

Singles: Ewart beat Katharina Schallenberg 4/3. Smith lost to Gal 4/3. Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale) lost to Becker 1 down. Rachel Bell (Ganton) beat Kichmayr 3/2. Reid beat Stephanie Doering 2/1.

Labels: golf

Starting Salary: £19,572, with progression through Contribution Related Pay to £22,268 (part time 18.5 hours pro rata)

Due to a successful funding bid to Sport England South East Regional Sports Board, an exciting opportunity has arisen to co-ordinate the Kent Archery Development Project as a legacy to the World Cup Archery Event taking place in Dover, Kent in August 2007. This post is the first of it’s kind for archery in England and will be a benchmark for future positions across the country.

Hosted by the Kent Sports Development Unit, you will work with the Grand National Archery Society and Kent Archery Association to successfully co-ordinate and implement the Kent Archery Development Plan. This will include promoting the sport within the county, supporting the delivery of archery within schools and community groups and supporting the development of local archery clubs.

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate a good understanding of sports development principles and archery structures, along with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

This post is offered on a temporary basis up to July 2010. However, as it is subject to external funding, agreed annually, the post will cease to exist should this funding be unavailable and appropriate notice will be provided.

Given the nature of the post the successful applicant will be required to authorise an application for Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau.

If you feel you are up for the challenge, have the necessary experience and skills and want to take forward this opportunity to develop archery in Kent, then we would like to hear from you. For an application pack email recruitment.line@kent.gov.uk telephone 08458 247 904 minicom 08458 247905 (charged at local rate) or to apply online visit http://www.kent.gov.uk/ quoting reference CD/07/162.

For further information please contact Sheena Pitchford, Governing Body Support Manager on 01622 605069.

Please quote reference: CD/07/162

Deadline for applications: 13 August 2007 (12:00pm)

Interview Date: 4 September 2007

Labels: job vacancies

Hampshire 14-year-old, Lauren Davis (right), proved that she’s a shooting star when she won the LGU Silver Medal final at Hearsall, Coventry.

In April 2006, Lauren had a handicap of 36. Now she’s down to 11.5 and the Meon Valley golfer beat 95 other players to win this title with a net 71.

“She was ecstatic,” said her mum, Sue. “When she came in she didn’t think she had done enough because she had had four three-putts. But the weather conditions weren’t very nice with pouring rain. As the scores came in she realised how well she had played. She was absolutely over the moon.”

Sue added: “Lauren is motivated and is working very, very hard – the practice is paying off.”

Lauren has also qualified for the final of the Abraham Trophy, the competition for England’s most improved girl golfers, on the basis of handicap reduction. It takes place at Brickendon Grange, Hertfordshire, next month, immediately before the English girls’ U-15 and U-13 championship. Lauren is playing in the U-15 event. She also plays for Hampshire girls and represents her club.

The gold and silver medal finals are open to the 2006 winners of the LGU silver and bronze medals in any club affiliated to ELGA. The gold medal finals are for the silver division winners and the silver medal finals are for bronze division winners. Bronze division players who have reduced their handicap may still play in the silver medal final.

Labels: golf

1. To coordinate and support existing projects in Greater Manchester with a Social Inclusion theme.
2. To identify gaps in provision and provide opportunities by targeting deprived and hard to reach communities that sit outside of existing Social Inclusion projects.

Specific areas of work will include:

• Club Development
• Provision of Competitive Opportunities and Player Pathways
• Football in Education
• Workforce Development
• Health
• Race Equality & Social inclusion

Labels: job vacancies

HACKNEY'S annual attempt to raise awareness in women's basketball in the capital will take place at SPACe, Falkirk Street, N1 on Saturday, August 4, this year.

The 3-on-3 women's tournament is being organised by borough club Eastside Heat, who are hoping their attempts to persuade more females to take up the sport will result in an increase in players in Hackney.

This year Eastside are also including an under-14's mixed tournament as well as the senior women's competition.Entry fees are priced at £15 per team, with each side allowed four players.In the new mixed competition, each team is only allowed a maximum of two boys per team.Parent consent forms must be completed before any under-18 participants can play in the tournaments.

Further details are available by emailing meshellwilson@yahoo.com

Labels: basketball

Labels: golf