Staff - BowlsWales

Meet the BowlsWales Team

Sphie-Hancocks-BowlsWales

Sophie Hancocks

BowlsWales General Manager

sophie.hancocks@bowlswales.com

Tell us about your background?

I graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2018 with a 2:1 Honours Degree in Sport. I then started work at Sport Caerphilly as the School Sport Co-ordinator. This role allowed me to work with hundreds of children across the borough, making positive impacts on their sporting engagement. As well as my School Sport Co-ordinator role, I was the Basketball Development Officer for the Local Authority. This saw me working with an adult club in the area which then led to the establishment of the only junior basketball club within the borough, where over 40 children aged 7-16 years were involved across the first three months.

I have played sport from a very early age and started playing football when I was 6 years old. I play football for Cardiff Metropolitan Women - we represented Wales at the Champions League Qualifying round In Slovenia, finishing as runners-up in the group and making history by becoming the highest finishing Welsh Women’s Club in the qualifiers.  As well as my love for football, I also enjoy jet setting and travelling with my partner: some of our favourite places are Barcelona, Paris and New York.

How excited are you about your new role?

I am very excited about my new role at BowlsWales. Straightaway, I can see how much of a fantastic opportunity this role will be with the direction that BowlsWales are going, moving forward with exciting plans in place for the sport across Wales. I am very excited to network with the individuals that are involved with BowlsWales and work together with them.

What does your role involve?

My role involves supporting the board of directors and our Performance, Development and Communications groups. I also ensure that the logistics and strategic procedures we have comply to all the relevant regulations and that BowlsWales continues to be a well-run governed organisation. I also work closely with our Safeguarding Officer and our National Governing Bodies to ensure that the structures for procedures are in place, while ensuring that strong links and networking continues to grow between BowlsWales and the NGB’s.

What are your aspirations for Bowls in Wales?

My aspirations for Bowls in Wales are for it to continue to grow and succeed through the support of BowlsWales and the NGB’s, and also to raise the profile of BowlsWales so it can continue be a supportive network for the development and performance of Bowls in Wales.

Claire-Joll-Bowls-Wales

Claire Biddle

BowlsWales Development Manager

claire.biddle@bowlswales.com

Tell us about your background?

After graduating from University of Wales Institute (now Cardiff Met) in 2011 with a First Class Honours degree, I started my Sports Development career with the Welsh Netball Association as a Development Officer. My time at Welsh Netball allowed me
to take on different roles within the organization and gave me the opportunity in various parts of Wales.

I have been involved in sport from a young age: playing, coaching and even occasionally umpiring netball. I still play netball on a weekly basis, and spend my other time making memories with my young daughter and husband, where we like to explore Wales with our family dog.

How are you enjoying your role with BowlsWales?

I joined BowlsWales after seven years in netball. What I find exciting is that a vast number of people are already involved in bowls and that there is the potential for growth within the sport among many different groups.

What does your role involve?

I initiate projects, provide advice and share information to ensure clubs, coaches, officials and members help shape the direction of bowls in Wales.

I work with the National Governing Bodies plus various associations, charities, groups and clubs to ensure that we continue to grow the game through projects such as partnerships and our club accreditation scheme.

What are your aspirations for bowls in Wales?

To raise the profile of the sport, and change people’s perception of the sport, giving it the recognition it deserves.

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