Janet Vickers

Hello, I’m passionate about coaching the whole person, changing perceptions, building confidence in training environments, maintaining my own learning and saying 'yes' to opportunities!  Among a few other things yes, I’m a British Weightlifting coach.

Many years ago, I taught physical education to some inspiring young people, and adults in the community of the Manor Estate, Sheffield.  At Waltheof we had a fitness suite, lots of after school clubs, including a rowing club.  I learnt to row and coach this unusual sport to young people on the east side of Sheffield along with hockey, basketball, gymnastics, swimming, athletics and dance.  The rowing took me to international regattas around the world.  I still coach fitness activity and rowing.  

After teaching, I took time to study MSc Sports Medicine, go rowing all over the place, ride mountain bikes up and down some big hills.   I became a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University in sport, physical education and initial teacher training.  What a dream job!  Among lots of inspiring students and staff I welcomed an ambitious and fun fresher called Dave Hembrough to his degree study.  I also coached 'Girl Power' for Hallam students and staff.   With Dave on board as a staff member along with some inspirational academics who were also sport coaches, we wrote a degree route in Sport Coaching.

It was an easy decision for me to join Dave, Ryan, Gabry, Olivia our GirlStrong Ambassadors and the wider Mettle coaching team.  I share the Mettle values and philosophy.   I’m proud to be lead coach for Mettle's GirlStrong programme. 

It’s a pleasure to work with such an inspiring group of women in GirlStrong.  Come along and join us!