The success of Woodham Academy’s PE Department has again been recognised after two of its staff and one of its Sports Academy clubs have been nominated for County Durham Sports Awards.
Danny Ketch has been nominated for ‘Coach of the Year’ and is an inspirational role model to students at Woodham Academy through his role as Woodham Warriors Assistant Head Coach.
This is a school based American Football team which has achieved national and international success and recognition. Through his commitment, hard-work and dedication since 2007, Danny has helped coach teams to British Flag Championships, European Championships and World Championships.
His team is currently ranked number one in the UK (2013) and at the National Finals has been runner up for the last three years. Danny constantly gives up his time after school and on weekends to coach students. Through his positive attitude and high standards he regularly has a positive impact on their sporting achievements and education. Since 2007 Danny has also been involved in the Great British Lions coaching set-up. He is currently working with GB’s elite athletes in preparation for the 2014 European Championships.
Danny Morgan’s’ ‘Contribution to Sport’ has been recognised. and he has been nominated in this category due his work in Physical Education. During his time at Woodham Academy he has fulfilled the roles of Head of Department and Assistant Head teacher, where he has successfully run school football, basketball, cricket, swimming, table tennis teams and managed Bishop Auckland Schools District football teams.
However it is in basketball where Danny has had major impact upon students’ success, not only at school level, but at district, regional and national level respectively.
Danny currently works with the Durham Wildcats, on their junior national league programme. He is also coaching the men’s National League Team this season. Danny has coached the Wildcats U16 team to the league championships as well as coaching five Woodham school teams to the last 32 of the national schools tournament.
Danny is also a qualified Level 2 cricket coach and regularly works with the elite junior county players as an age group lead coach, as well as overseeing the Durham County provision at district level for a number of years. Danny has assisted a number of local clubs in junior development and he is widely regarded to be one of the most accomplished cricket coaches in the area. Currently Danny is working with the Durham County U17 squad.
Woodham Gymnastics Acad-emy has been nominated for Junior Sports Club. Since the introduction of the Sports Academy there was so much demand for boys gymnastics that an extra training session was put on to accommodate the male gymnasts.
This year both male and female gymnasts have competed in the regional Trio competition, the regional Floor and Vault competition and the National Floor and Vault competition with some fantastic group and individual performances and results.
