New Head of Sport - Karen Smith
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Karen Smith as ESF Educational Service's (ESL's) new Head of Sport, responsible for managing and developing our sports programme.
Karen brings excellent sporting credentials to the position, both as a competitor and as an administrator. She started competing in gymnastics at an early age and moved into diving where she became the British number one, representing Great Britain at the highest level. Retiring from active competition, Karen started her career as a sports administrator with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) in the UK where she was responsible for managing the development of national programmes for swimming and where she implemented structures for coaching from grassroots to elite athletes.
Words from Karen |
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It's an exciting time with the Olympics around the corner and East Asian Games coming to Hong Kong in 2009. ESL is rapidly expanding and continues to work in partnership with the ESF schools providing fantastic opportunities for students to have a balanced and healthy lifestyle. As an ex-Olympic athlete I am passionate about sport and the impact it can have on children and the community which it engages. Having represented Great Britain at European, Commonwealth, World Championships and Olympic Games, I have a thorough understanding of what it takes to be a successful athlete. However I am also well aware of the systems and structure that need to be in place to support optimal performance and what the difference a great coach can make to a child's enjoyment in sport. I join ESF from the ASA in England, the Governing Body for Swimming. Here I held the post of National Development Manager, responsible for increasing participation, club development, athlete pathways and strategic direction of national initiatives. With a great team behind me I intend to continue improving quality standards in ESF, ensuring the best environment for children to succeed. I look forward to working with you all and continue developing our sports section to deliver safe, fun and effective learning programmes for all who take part. Karen Smith |