Girls’ independent school Farnborough Hill has appointed a new director of sport.
Daniel Emery studied sports science at the University of Chichester, where he also completed his PGCSE, and has taught PE in three different secondary schools. Emery enjoys playing hockey, having competed at international level and coached to national league level.
He talked about his decision to teach in a girls’ school: “I was conscious that male directors of sport in girls’ schools are not as common, but I genuinely believed I could bring something new to the role and I really liked the school when I came to interview.
I was conscious that male directors of sport in girls’ schools are not as common, but I genuinely believed I could bring something new to the role and I really liked the school when I came to interview
“For me it was never about working with boys and/or girls. It was more to do with finding a school and a PE department that had potential, and to which I could add value and help to realise that potential. The ethos of educating the whole person that Farnborough Hill has aligns very much with my own views on education and schooling.
“The notion of boys’ sports and girls’ sports has never really been part of my thinking.
“For me it is about producing our own talent and developing young sportswomen who can move with balance, coordination, speed and agility.
“If we can work towards that as a goal then our girls have a good chance of realising their potential in whatever sport or physical activity they choose to pursue during their time with us, and beyond.”
Emery has a keen interest in sports psychology and reads around the subject.
He said: “For me it often goes some way to explaining the difference between the good and the great athletes. I tend to read a lot about the psychology of sport and how to create the best possible environment for success.”
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