Dr Anna Stembridge

Overview

Anna's passion for excellence has guided, motivated and shaped her philosophy within her work, as well as extends to her life outside of it. She is passionate about people, about women in sport and about leadership. Her strong communication skills, enthusiasm and desire for ‘excellence’ have driven her to try and create a ‘team’ culture which values and initiates systems that enhances the learners and the teams experience.

As a Senior Lecturer she has significantly contributed to the areas of sports coaching at both, undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as the performance modules in netball. During her time with the school of sport she has also provided a range of consultancy services to athletes, coaches and NGBs. Her most notable, a three and half year secondment, to England Netball as the Head Coach of the National Side.

As a former Head Coach and ex-international athlete, Anna provides an authentic insight into the demands of performance sport and dealing with adversity. She offers a theoretical and applied knowledge and understanding within this elite environment that is not only relevant to the student’s experience but other professional domains like business, education and management.

Anna is currently undertaking a PhD, which is based upon an auto ethnography methodology, utilising reflective practice, on critical performance and life experiences, to examine the learning processes and experiences that help coaches to better cope with the performance demands of the elite coaching environment.

A testament to Anna’s hard work, determination and commitment to coaching and leadership within the UK, was her selection on to UK Sport’s prestigious Elite Coach Programme. This bespoke programme has allowed unparalleled access to world leading expertise, technology and experiences, as well as meeting the needs of the individual coach and sport.