About Libby

Evidence-based coaching. Whole-athlete development. Helping players perform, grow and thrive.

Background

Hockey has been a central part of my life for more than four decades. I have experienced the game from almost every angle - as a player, coach, selector, umpire, administrator, volunteer and parent - and that broad perspective shapes the way I coach today.

I am an FIH Level 3 coach with experience across junior, senior, regional and Tasmanian state programs. I have coached boys and girls from introductory hockey through to state age-group teams, and I have worked within high-performance environments through a Tasmanian Institute of Sport Coaching Scholarship. My overseas coaching experience has also included coaching with Bloemendaal HC in the Netherlands and Yate HC in the UK.

Performance Health

My background as a medical practitioner with a Master of Sports Medicine adds another dimension to my coaching. I am interested not only in what helps an athlete perform, but in what helps them stay healthy, learn effectively and continue developing over time. I bring sports science, load management, injury prevention, rehabilitation, nutrition, psychology and evidence-based decision-making into the way I plan and deliver programs.

Holistic Approach

I coach the whole athlete. Technical and tactical skill are important, but so are physical preparation, confidence, communication, decision-making, wellbeing, team culture and enjoyment. I use individual load information, personalised technical and fitness work, video analysis and athlete education to help players understand their development.

Inclusion

Neuro-inclusive coaching is an important part of my approach. I use clear, concrete communication and combine spoken, written and visual information so athletes with different learning styles can understand what is expected. I aim to reduce unnecessary cognitive load, respect individual needs and create psychological safety so players can ask questions, make mistakes and learn without embarrassment.

Inclusion in sport is essential

Neuroinclusion leads to better outcomes

I also believe junior sport can be both ambitious and fair. High-performance development and inclusion are not opposites. My aim is to challenge athletes appropriately, provide clear expectations and pathways, and help each player become a more capable, confident and independent athlete. As Junior Development Lead and Junior Committee Chair at Tasmania University Hockey Club, I have worked to grow junior participation, strengthen player development and improve the transition from junior into senior hockey.

Understanding

What I want athletes to gain from working with me is more than improved hockey skills. I want them to understand the game better, understand themselves better, learn how to train with purpose and feel supported to reach their own potential.

'My goal is to create an environment with high standards without fear, structure without rigidity, and a culture that is professional, inclusive and enjoyable.'

Playing Experience

I remain an active player as well as a coach, and my playing experience has included the highest level of domestic hockey overseas. In the Netherlands I played in the Hoofdklasse - the country's top domestic competition - with HC Bloemendaal. In England I played for Clifton Ladies in the Premier Division, the highest level of the English domestic game.

My broader playing background also includes Tasmanian junior state teams, the Australian National League and three Australian Universities 'Green and Gold' teams. In 2025 I was named Hockey Australia Masters O50 Player of the Tournament, and I was selected for the Australian Over 50 team for the 2026 FIH Masters World Cup.

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