Thompsons Sports Academy has been running since September 2009. We started off running after school sports clubs and holiday cricket courses. Since then we have expanded into girls hockey and netball holiday courses, boys hockey courses and a cricket academy.
We have a clear aim: “To develop every child.” To increase the participation of sport for both boys and girls offering them the same opportunities whatever their background or sporting ability. The emphasis is on having fun and making new friends and not about winning at all costs.
Libby Thompson
Administrator
Libby qualified in 1996 as a primary school teacher with a specialism of PE. She was Head of PE at a private school In Bristol for ten years teaching nursery to GCSE PE children. She is now in charge of co-ordinating all of the holiday
courses as well as the course camp manager.
Charlie Thompson
Coach and Director
As a junior Charlie was a keen tennis player, captaining his county, representing the South West of England for four years and was part of a GB select team. After his career was ended due to a back injury he then started
playing rugby. Representing Colstons and North Bristol RFC. Since then he has gained coaching qualifications in tennis, rugby, cricket and multi sports.
During his coaching career, he has coached the Bristol rugby county team, set up and coached 10 different age groups at Old Bristolians RFC for 10 years.
He has also coached the U10 &U11 Bristol district cricket sides, produced some junior county cricketers and taught sport at Bristol Grammar School for the last
13 years.
About Us
Gary Phillips
Head Cricket Coach
Gary is our head cricket coach and comes with a wealth of cricket experience.
He grew up in Shropshire where he played for their county team and was twelth man for the world XI. He had a brief spell playing professional cricket with Worcestershire. He then spent four years in Holland as an overseas
cricketer qualifying for their national team. Gary is an ECB level two coach andis very popular with all the children.
Abi Porter
Lead Hockey Coach
So far in Abi’s hockey-playing career she has received caps for England U16 and been part of the
England U21 training squad. She began her hockey career at Westberries hockey club, moving onto playing National league hockey for Firebrands and then played National Premier League hockey for Clifton and Birmingham University where she also gained two BUCS (British Universities and College Sports) gold medals.
Michelle Hambley
Head Netball Coach
Michelle is a Level two netball coach and is currently coaching Clevedon Royals juniors. They have five teams over a range of age groups who all compete in the Avon league. Michelle has recently set up a Weston Royals netball club for juniors and also coaches the North Somerset netball academy as well as the Weston College netball Academy team.
Michelle currently plays in the premier division for the Weston leageueand last year were crowned champions.
Claudia Dark
Lead Cricket Coach
Claudia was first introduced to cricket in year 7 (2009) where she started playing indoor cricket with school. She then joined Frenchay CC where she has played for U15 girls, U13, U15, U17 boys, Mens 3rd, 4th and Sunday team.
Claudia was part of the Gloucestershire County Cricket U15 and U17 squad and is currently the U13Gloucestershire Development County girls squad assistant coach.
She has obtained her Coach Support Worker qualification and is currently working towards herLevel 2 Certificate in Coaching Children.