Pam Richards

Pam is an experienced international coach and senior lecturer in Sport and Exercise Sciences and has many years of experience of integration of theory to practice.

Pam graduated with a combined honours degree in Sport Science and Psychology in 1994 from Chester University and achieved a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition in 1999.

During the last 16 years Pam has gained valuable experience working as an International Coach in the sport of hockey and has successfully gained five European titles as coach. Pam currently holds the position of National Coach and FIH Coach.

In addition to this Pam has provided Sport Science support to the Welsh National Women’s Hockey Squad and prepared them for the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia in 1998 and European competitions in the role of physiologist. Her wealth of knowledge and experience has been integrated into the designing of coaching degrees.

Teaching responsibilities

• Personal tutor
• Route leader for Coaching
• Module leader for Introduction of Sport Science for Coaching (Level 4)
• Module leader for Introduction Sports Coaching Pedagogy, Theory and Practice (Level 4)
• Module leader for Practice of Sports Coaching (Level 5)
• Module leader for Sports Coaching Process and Practice (Level 6)

Research interests

Pam’s research interests lie in the learning and development of performance intelligence and team decision-making, an interest spawned from her applied hockey coaching. In particular, Pam is interested in the coaches’ abilities to facilitate and create an empowering environment to develop performance intelligence. This has specifically resulted in the development of reflective practice strategies with her performers; collectively this represents Pam’s PhD research area.

Consultancy experience

Pam has a range of consultancy experience within hockey which includes:

• Welsh Hockey Union – National Women’s Team Coach
• National League Hockey teams / including European competition
• SCUK Tutor

Publications

Richards, P. (2008). Developing patterns of play to attack a half pitch defence:
Strategies and skills required for success. Federation International Hockey High Performance Coaching Conference, Germany.

Richards, P., and Ghaye, T. (2004). Thinking teamwork: Being the best through reflective practices. The Sport and Exercise Scientist, 2, December 2004.

Richards, P. (1998). Speed of movement, technical skill and decision making. Federation International Hockey Coaching High Performance Conference, Brisbane.

Conference proceedings

Richards, P. (2005). Empowering the decision-making process in the competitive sport environment through using reflective practice: Can performance intelligence be to taught? In 4th Carfax International Conference on Reflective Practice. June 2005. Gloucester pp.35.

Richards, P. (2005). What can sports coaching tell us about student learning (and vice versa)? Reflective practice in the applied sports environment. Teaching and Learning conference. Leeds, June (2005).

Richards, P., and Telfer, H. (2004). Using reflection with national squad performers in sport as a means of influencing ‘on pitch’ decision-making – A case study of effecting change in performance practitioners. In: Reflection as a catalyst for change, 3rd ed., Carfax International Conference on Reflective Practice. 23rd – 25th June 2004. Gloucester pp.51.

Sport and exercise profile

International coaching

• Welsh National Coach (2007 ongoing)
• Welsh U21 National Coach (2000-2007)
• Welsh Under 16 Girls Coach (1994-2000)
• Welsh Assistant U21 Coach (1997 - 1998)
• Welsh U15 Boys - Coaching team (1993)

Federation of International Hockey FIH Coach Course

• Course June 1999 – Brisbane, Australia
• Course May 1998 – Utrecht, Netherlands
• Course September 2003 – Barcelona
• Course June 2008 – Germany

Sport Science Consultant to Senior/ U21 Welsh Women’s Hockey Squad

Preparation for:

• Commonwealth Games 1998 (Malaysia)
• European Qualifying Tournament 1997 (Helsinki)
• U21 European Tournament 2000 (Germany)
• U16 International Squad 1998 (Italy), 1999 (Poland)

Professional memberships

• British Association of Sport and Exercise Science
• Welsh Hockey Union