Top honour for dedicated Bev (From Barry And District News)

Top honour for dedicated Bev

A BARRY teacher was named Teacher Coach of the Year, in the Sports Council for Wales Coach of the Year awards.

Beverley Hopkins teaches at Palmerston Primary School, a mainstream school which has a number of children with disabilities integrated within the classes.

Beverley has been instrumental in the development of extra-curricular Dragon Sport activities within her teaching role and has attracted many children into sport who may otherwise not have participated.

She co-ordinates a number of clubs including hockey, athletics, football, rugby and dance, ensuring all children have access to sport regardless of their ability.

She has recently started a Sportsability Club for pupils who have higher support needs.

In addition to her role, she also finds the time to access funding and motivate other adults to assist with activities.

Her dedication to the development of sports opportunities is further exemplified by her work in setting up a community sports club for children with disabilities in conjunction with a former colleague - again in a voluntary capacity.

Her tremendous work has already been acknowledged by the Vale of Glamorgan's District Sports Council, who awarded her the Dragon Sport Volunteer of the Year trophy.

At the main award ceremony, the Coach of the Year title went to Six Nations Grand Slam winning coach Mike Ruddock.