Meet the coaches
Bridget Howe - Swimming Coach
For those that don't know me, my name is Bridget Howe I've been teaching and coaching lifesaving in and around Milton Keynes since the 1980's, from learn-to-swim programs to school and club swimming.
I am also a mum of two grown up children and since April I have been a grandmother to Freddie my daughter Shelley's son. I also have a little dog called Teddy who loves walking, swimming and being very naughty! I got him just before xmass and I am still trying to get him to do what he's told.
If anyone wants to join in the swimming lessons, just let us know, first half hour is for beginners and second half hour is for improvers.
Penny and Becci - Trampolining
Penny has been a coach for 16 years and teaches people of all ages in the Milton Keynes area. She teaches at another Club for people who have disabilities which is called SNUG at the Wroughton Centre, Milton Keynes. She is also a County Judge for trampolining. Penny is involved with out of school activities but is also an assistant teacher with Loughton Manor First School where she is involved in running P.E.sessions.
Becci is 20 years old and is training to be a primary school teacher. (She is on placements at the moment and is working at Priory Common Primary School in Milton Keynes). becci has always loved gymnastics and has been coaching trampolining since she was 14 years old. She has her Level 1 Coaching Certificate.
Becci and Penny work closely together on adjoining 'beds' so that people needing more expert help can be sure that Penny is on hand.
Parents/carers are often asked to 'spot' whilst the member they accompany has their turn. This is to enable a high standard of safety and to have someone nearby who knows their needs.
Graeme Wilson - Multi-Skills
Sport & Disability Development Officer for Northamptonshire Sport.
In my time at Northamptonshire Sport I’ve attained my Level 1 in Badminton Coaching, Disability Coaching Award, Fundamentals of Movement Coaching Certificate, and Level 1 Coaching Award in Speed, Agility & Quickness (SAQ)training.
I really enjoy coaching Multi Skills, as having been involved in trying to Coach numerous Sports to Children of a very young age, I can appreciate the need for them to learn, and improve their basic skills involving Agility, Balance, and Coordination before trying to transfer them to a Sport specific environment!
At the beginning of August I started my new role of Sport & Disability Development Officer for Northamptonshire Sport. This still involves me delivering coaching sessions, but just specifically to groups of people with disabilities.
I’m also now responsible for working with other partner agencies in the county to help create more sporting opportunities for people with disabilities while also alleviating barriers that currently prevent them from participating. Read Graeme's full bio here.
Peter and Sylvie Goss - One Yoga
When we began a Yoga class we found that almost immediately it had all kinds of benefits: the postures make your body feel stretched but not strained, you feel relaxed and at the same time get an energy boost.
Yoga also helps you to feel less stressed; through stilling the body, you calm the mind. Peter remembers, "I was not very fit when I started, you don't have to be, yoga is for everyone, whatever their level of flexibility, there is no competition- you work at your own level."
Everyone will gain something from taking part. Because we felt so much better when practising yoga, we became yoga teachers a few years ago and have worked with all kinds of people, from young children to eighty year olds, people with various disabilities to the really fit, in workplaces, schools and clubs. Yoga is good for everyone.
Peter and Sylvie Goss are both academic teachers and teachers of Hatha Yoga. They believe that Yoga is an essential tool for everyone, including children to those who have restricted movement.
We have just come back from travelling in Europe. The photographs were taken in the Italian/French Alps- we had a Julie Andrews moment! Luckily there were very few people about. It was a long way up but well worth the effort.
Ian Barber - Multiskills
I coach 'Multiskills' sports for DISC.
This builds up skills for all sorts of sports such as cricket, rounders, basketball and football.
I have worked at Billing Brook School for 2 years in the ASD Unit.
I also coached athletics for two summers at 'Camp America'. I am currently training to be a primary school teacher.
In my free time I enjoy BBQs, playing rugby, swimming, and doing a bit of juggling!
Sylvia Underlin - Archery
My name is Sylvia Underlin and have lived at Long Buckby for over 39 years.
I have been involved since 1999 when I took an archery leadership course to enable me to help instruct Scouts at the Millennium camp. I joined British Timken Bowmen which has recently changed its name to Duston Bowmen.
Having some archery equipment and being the Group Scout Leader for Long Buckby Scout Group, I found there was an interest from the Scouts in taking up archery. After coaching the Scouts for some time they wanted to compete at competitions. I formed Long Buckby Scout Archery Club and the first year they won the County Junior Championship.
Meanwhile I took an Assistant Coach course and later which involved over 6 months and 1000 miles gained a Coach qualification. This has now been converted to a Level 2 coach.
Long Buckby Archery Club was changed from a junior to a full GNAS club with over 30 members and includes many County archers.
I am also a County Judge and travel over the Southern Counties judging indoor and outdoor events. I enjoy all aspects of archery and shoot both Longbow and Recurve bows.
Teaching beginners and introducing people to archery is rewarding. I have through my club, Duston Bowmen, taught disabled adults and young people at Danes Camp and Daventry.
