Coach Corner

A Day In The Life Of A Coach. By Libby Mooney

I have worked for Stretch –n-Grow for nearly 6 years now and have enjoyed every moment right from the early days of training to the first nerve jangling moment of ‘flying solo, ’ conducting a whole class on my own .A typical day (or half day as I work part time) would involve three classes. The timings are great as I can see my little boy into school leaving me plenty of time to arrive at my first class. I generally have a few minutes spare to check my class routine, props and music and then I’m raring to go. The children always give me such an enthusiastic welcome as do the nursery staff. I make sure I start with a big hello before doing the roll call. We then do our chant that gets them into the mindset of exercise. They are always particularly excited at the beginning of each month when we have a new routine and new props. This month has been especially as I have had a huge bag of coloured exercise balls .Our warm up then follows which is themed , we are currently are doing space and we are focusing on our bodies with the ‘Body Apron’. I am always amazed how much information the children retain and how they check their ‘Happy Hearts’ after each endurance routine. Cooling down involves some good stretches. We also include a few Yoga moves. We sometimes round off with a parachute to build team work, co operation and improve listening skills. I like to build up a good rapport with all the children and the staff where I work and it is always a little bit sad when the children leave for big school. Last year I was honoured to be invited to graduations. It was lovely to see the time and effort put into sending these children on their way. I hope that more importantly than remembering me, the children I have taught remember what we have done and worked on in our classes.

“Going For Gold”. A Stretch-n-Grow Coach!
With the interest and heat being turned up as London 2012 gets closer. Nurseries in Farnborough have a personal interest in keeping an eye on the national headlines. Sophie Johnson Judo superstar regularly visits schools and nurseries in the Farnborough/Aldershot area. “Why?” I hear you ask. As well as being a full-time judo athlete, Sophie is also a Stretch n Grow Instructor!
Sophie fights in the 52kg weight category and sports a 2nd Dan Black belt! That’s technical speak for she is good, super good in fact !

“I started judo when I was 7 years old and quickly progressed to representing my county and area. When I was 12, I won a silver medal at the National Championships and a place on the Great Britain under 17 squad. The following year I went one better, taking the gold, and have retained my place on the National team every year since. At under 17 level I won a Bronze medal at the European Cadet Championships, before progressing onto the Junior (under 20) and eventually Senior national teams. I took a place at the National Judo Academy (NJA) when I was 18 and trained alongside studying for a degree in Exercise & Health Science in which I received a 2:1. When the NJA closed down in 2005 I moved to Camberley Judo Club to continue full-time training.”
Sophie has represented Great Britain at the following events: World Championships – 2005,European Championships – 2006 & 2007 and World Student Games – 2003 & 2007. Future Ambitions include winning medals at the 2009 European & World Championships & to win a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.
I am sure you all would like to wish Sophie the very best and wish her every success in all her future events. We will be watching her progress with great excitement!

Current back to back British Champion U52 Kgs and GBR senior number 1
Recent results – 7th World Cup in Sofia1st British Championships, 1st Welsh Open Cardiff
As a fighter she is aggressive and dynamic with excellent throws and groundwork.
Sophie works part time with youngsters helping to cultivate their interest in sport and is a great role model to the younger members of the club. She is a credit to Camberley Judo Club.

Sophie Johnstone

Sophie Johnstone