UK Sport today write on how Britain’s women have gained promotion to the European Championship A Division, after a second leg 60-58 victory over the Netherlands in Almere yesterday.

Mark Clark’s squad emulated their male counterparts with the achievement, rounding off a fantastic summer for both squads, who will now compete in the 2009 European Championship qualifying phase, and have taken important steps in their bid to compete in London in 2012.

The game was a tighter affair following the weekend’s first leg, with Britain’s opponents determined to avenge their 68-32 loss. Indeed at half-time they led 28-20, but Britain began to claw their way back and by the final quarter had taken a three point lead. However the hosts hit back to lead 58-57 with 13 seconds remaining, before 17 year-old Georgia Jones scored the points needed to secure victory.

Andrea Congreaves and Megan Moody top-scored for Britain, both claiming 14 points each, as they completed the 128-90 aggregate win. The victory ensured a 100% record for Clark’s team with six wins out of six and ensured Britain won all 12 competitive matches across both campaigns this summer, after the men also recorded a clean sweep.

UK Sport Chief Executive, John Steele, reinforced the comments he made following the men’s promotion and was delighted that both sides had achieved their goals.

“When the men gained promotion I said it was a fantastic achievement for everyone connected with the British set-up – last night’s result just makes it better” said Steele.

“I congratulate Britain’s women on gaining their promotion and once again reiterate that this summer’s performances have justified the significant investment committed to Basketball by the excellent progress made towards realising the sport’s 2012 ambitions. Well done to all involved,” he added.

Labels: basketball

The Tennis Foundation are currently looking for a head role to lead on Education and Disability Development. The Tennis Foundation is the charitable arm of the LTA and will be responsible for grassroots development. Please feel free to circulate. The job description can be downloaded here and the application pack can be downloaded from the LTA's website www.lta.org.uk.

Labels: job vacancies, tennis

The England women's football team secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 6-1 win against Argentina. Kelly Smith who grabbed a brace, conducted a post-match interview with the BBC which you can see here.

The United States and North Korea are favorites to advance from group B and the group winner will face England, while the second-placed team will play against Germany. You can see the North Korea game against Sweden on BBCi from 1300 on Tuesday.

Labels: football, world cup 2007

We pay tribute to Jane Tomlinson MBE CBE, a patron of WSF and an inspiration to millions of women. Jane’s impact cannot be under-estimated. By proving that a strong will was more important than a healthy body, she alone inspired thousands of women to get off the sofa and get outside exercising. Her contribution to our cause won’t be forgotten.

Further tributes appear below:

Labels: jane tomlinson, patrons

Our friends over at Street League thought you might be interested in the following women's only football goal setting day.

Labels: football

ENGLAND HOCKEY

NATIONAL MANAGER REGIONAL NETWORK

BASED AT ONE OF THE ENGLAND HOCKEY SIX OFFICES LOCATIONS - MILTON KEYNES, BISHAM ABBEY NSC – MARLOW, EXETER, WAKEFIELD, BURY ST EDMUNDS OR LOUGHBOROUGH

SALARY 33 - 38K (dependent on experience) Plus company vehicle. View the job description.

England Hockey are seeking to appoint a new National Manager in a key role within the Development Team. This is a new position which replaces the current position of National Manager for Player Pathway (Single System). The change in this position reflects the investment England Hockey will be making over the next few years in the implementation phase of the Single System for Hockey.

The Single System, launched in July 2006, will create a seamless pathway for all within the sport from playground to podium. It has seen the development and performance arms within the sport come together to provide a framework for vastly improved opportunities to participate and develop within the sport at all levels. Hockey is an Olympic Sport and with London 2012 on the horizon, and a Board of Directors and staff team who are committed to the development of the sport, this is a very exciting time to join England Hockey.

THE ROLE
Reporting to the Development Director this post is key in managing the implementation of England Hockey’s strategic priorities via the England Hockey Regional team. Being directly responsible for managing the 5 Regional Managers, the post holder will be accountable for the achievements of the Regional Network which includes 25 staff (almost half the organisations staff). The post holder will also lead the implementation phase of the Single System.

THE PERSON
The successful applicant will:

• Be enthusiastic and self motivated
• Be an experienced and effective manager, who leads staff by example
• Be able to perform under pressure and manage many projects simultaneously
• Be a team player with the ability to work from own initiative
• Have an in depth understanding of England Hockey’s Single System and the implementation plan
• Have a good knowledge of sports and an extensive knowledge of hockey
• Have a good understanding of sports coaching, officiating and sport in education
• Experience of working in partnership with external agencies
• Have experience and knowledge of sports development including: volunteer networks, government funding, partnership working, Governing Body structures and club management
• Must be able to embrace and demonstrate England Hockey values
• Working as a team
• A winning mentality
• Value for money
• Two-way commitment
• Embrace change
• Customer focus
  

For a job pack please that includes the job description, person specification and application forms, please download from the jobs section on our website http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/

For an informal discussion regarding the position please contact Sally Munday, Development Director on sally.munday@englandhockey.org to arrange a discussion time.

Please send applications on the official application form only to Sandra.richards@englandhockey.org

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 5 October 2007
PROPOSED INTERVIEW DATE: 15 or 17 October 2007

Labels: hockey, job vacancies