Wales

A Swansea-born pioneer of women's hockey was made an Honorary Fellow by Swansea University during a graduation ceremony at the city's Guildhall on Thursday 21st July.

Anne Ellis OBE, was capped 136 times for Wales and has captained both the Wales and Great Britain Olympic women's hockey teams. She taught at Gowerton Comprehensive School for 32 years, retiring from her post as Head of Physical Education in 1995.

"It's a privilege and honour to receive this award from a world-class institution, that Swansea is. This is one of the highlights of my career. It's very special when your home city recognizes your achievements and I am equally proud of Swansea and its achievements," said Anne.

Anne has been a member of the Sports Council for Wales since 1993 and has held the post of Vice Chair since 1999. She is Chair of the Board of Directors for Wales National Pool and the 'Sketty Village' sports complex.

Swansea University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Baylis is delighted to be awarding an Honorary Fellowship to local woman who has made such a significant contribution to sport in Wales:

'University Fellowships are given to those individuals who have close links with the University and who have made a distinguished contribution in their chosen field. Anne Ellis fits this criteria superbly well. There is nobody of greater distinction in the history of Welsh women's hockey than Anne. Also, as Chair of the Board of the National Pool, she is playing a key role at present working with the University and the City and County of Swansea in an exciting venture to develop the area as a centre for excellence in sport," he said.

ENDS


EDITOR'S NOTES:

1. The name of Anne Ellis is synonymous in Wales with sport in general and with women's hockey in particular. She has excelled as a player, as a teacher and instructor, and as a leader and administrator. She has been a member of the Sports Council for Wales since 1993 and was for a period between late 2003 and early 2004, the Acting Chair. Anne Ellis remains the Vice Chair, a post she has held since 1999.

Anne Ellis is a native of the Swansea region and was educated at Gowerton Girls' Grammar school. She went from there to the then Glamorgan Education Training College at Barry to train as a teacher. The college was then a freestanding institution but became an integral part of the Polytechnic of Wales, now the University of Glamorgan. Anne entered the teaching profession and was a staff member at Gowerton Comprehensive School for 32 years, eventually retiring from her post as Head of Physical Education in 1995. Retirement from teaching has not meant the quiet life, as Anne has been increasingly and heavily involved in the administration and promotion of sport in Wales. These roles have included her posts in the Sports Council for Wales, her Presidency of the Welsh Hockey Association, her membership of the executive committee of the Welsh Sports Association, membership of the Executive of the International Hockey Federation and Secretary of its Coaching and Development committee and Chair of the European Hockey Coaching committee.

Anne's reputation in women's hockey was built upon her prowess as a player and if I use the phrase 'a legend' in her sport, it is no exaggeration. She was capped for Wales at hockey no less than 136 consecutive times; and captained both the Wales and Great Britain Olympic teams. Although the appointed captain of the first Great Britain Olympic hockey team, she never actually played in the Olympic Games. Fate conspired against her as the venue for that year, 1980, was Moscow and the games were boycotted for political reasons. Anne retired from international hockey in 1980 but went on to coach Wales, Great Britain and Swansea Ladies, steering the latter to six Welsh cups in seven years. Her awards around this time included the British Coach of the Year, the MBE (1980), the Sports Council medal of honour (1979) and the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame (1999). As chair of the European Hockey Federation coaching committee, Anne was a driving force behind the year of youth initiative launched in 2001 which enjoyed great success. She was the first female recipient of the Sydney Friskin memorial goblet, presented by The Hockey Writers' Association for services to hockey. As member of the Great Britain Olympic Hockey Board, Anne Ellis still works hard for her sport and has a vision of integrated British hockey teams, capable of winning Olympic medals.

All of these roles aid the sport, the players and the public but she has an additional role that is specifically linked this University. In partnership with the City and County of Swansea, the university made a successful bid for a Wales National Pool in Swansea, with substantial Sportslot Wales funding and major commitments from the two partner bodies. The Board of Directors needed an independent Chair and we turned to Anne Ellis who has filled that post with her customary energy and distinction. That post is ongoing as is the development of the 'Sports Village' complex at Sketty Lane. The picture I have sought to portray is of someone who has devoted huge amounts of time and energy to sport in its many guises and has done so unselfishly and with great success.

(Citation by Professor Emeritus David T Herbert BA, PhD, D.Litt)

2. Swansea University is a world-class, research-led university situated in stunning parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower peninsula, the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Founded in 1920, the University now offers around 450 undergraduate courses and 100 postgraduate courses to more than 12,000 students. For further information please contact Swansea University's Public Relations Office on 01792 295050 or press@swansea.ac.uk

3. Honorary Fellowships for the University were established in 1985 and are awarded either to former students or members of staff who have attained distinction in the arts, literature, science or public life, or to friends of the University, or people of distinction who are connected with the region.

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