Anna Stembridge

{{Infobox netball biography

|name = Anna Stembridge

|fullname = Anna Stembridge

|maidenname = Mayes

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|02|08|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Swindon

|spouse =

|relatives =

|height =

|school = New College, Swindon

|university = University of Wales Institute, Cardiff

|occupation = Senior university lecturer

|positions = WA, C

|clubyears1 = 199x–200x

|clubteam1 = Team Bath

|clubyears2 = 2005–2008

|clubteam2 = Celtic Dragons

|nationalyears1 = 1990s

|nationalteam1 = England U16, U17

|nationalcaps1 = 5

|nationalyears2 = 2002–2007

|nationalteam2 = Wales

|nationalcaps2 = 45

|coachyears1 = 2005–2007

|coachteam1 = Welsh Netball Academy

|coachyears2 = 2007–2008

|coachteam2 = Celtic Dragons

|coachyears3 = 2011–2015

|coachteam3 = England

|coachyears4 = 2015–2022

|coachteam4 = Team Bath

}}

Anna Stembridge (born 8 February 1981), originally known as Anna Mayes, is a former netball player and coach. Between 2011 and 2015, Mayes served as head coach of England. She was head coach when England won the 2011 World Netball Series. It was the first time England won a major tournament. She was also England head coach at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Between 2015 and 2022, she served as head coach of Team Bath. As a player, she represented Wales at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games and at the 2003 and 2007 World Netball Championships. During the Super Cup era, Mayes played for Team Bath and during the early Netball Superleague era she played for Celtic Dragons.

Education and employment

Mayes attended the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, now known as Cardiff Metropolitan University. In 2002 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science, in 2004 she completed a masters in Sports Psychology and in 2009 she gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. Throughout her coaching career with England and Team Bath, Mayes worked as a lecturer in Sports Coaching and Sport Psychology at Cardiff Metropolitan University, while also working on her PhD.{{cite web|url=https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/schoolofsport/staff/Pages/Anna-Stembridge.aspx|title=Dr Anna Stembridge (nee Mayes)|publisher=www.cardiffmet.ac.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324164543/https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/schoolofsport/staff/Pages/Anna-Stembridge.aspx|archive-date=24 March 2023|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teambath.com/2015/09/15/anna-mayes-jess-thirlby-netball/|title=Former England coach Anna Mayes reignites Team Bath Netball coaching partnership with Jess Thirlby|publisher=www.teambath.com|date=15 September 2015|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://netball.teambath.com/2020/09/17/uk-coaching-week-anna-stembridge/|title=UK Coaching Week 2020: Blue & Gold’s Anna Stembridge hails coaches’ ability to adapt and evolve during challenging year|publisher=www.teambath.com|date=17 September 2020|access-date=4 May 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teambath.com/2022/04/14/anna-stembridge-leaving-superleague-netball/|title=Anna Stembridge to step down as Team Bath Netball Superleague Head Coach at end of 2022 season after two decades with Blue & Gold|publisher=www.teambath.com|date=14 April 2022|access-date=25 April 2024}}

Playing career

=Early years=

Mayes began her netball career playing for the Swindon-based Lawn Netball Club before representing a team based in Hucclecote.{{cite web|url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/generalsport/9399403.netball-ex-lawn-player-appointed-england-coach/|title=Netball: Ex-Lawn player appointed England coach|publisher=www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk|date=3 December 2011|access-date=26 April 2024}}{{cite news|title=Lawn Netball Club – About us|url=https://lawnnetballclub.co.uk/about/|publisher=lawnnetballclub.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410125840/https://lawnnetballclub.co.uk/about/|archive-date=10 April 2023|access-date=26 April 2024}}{{cite news|title=Hucclecote Netball Club – Hall of fame|url=https://hucclecote-netball.co.uk/about/hall-of-fame/|publisher=hucclecote-netball.co.uk|access-date=26 April 2024}}

=Team Bath=

During the Super Cup era, Mayes played for Team Bath. She was coached by Lyn Gunson and her teammates included her future coaching partner, Jess Thirlby. In 2004, she was a member of the Team Bath squad that won the Super Cup title.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/34256305|title=Team Bath name ex-England boss Anna Stembridge as new coach|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|accessdate=20 February 2020|date=11 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12040/12590139/vitality-netball-superleague-anna-stembridge-to-leave-team-bath-netball|title=Vitality Netball Superleague: Anna Stembridge to leave Team Bath Netball|publisher=www.skysports.com|date=14 April 2022|access-date=25 April 2024}}

=Celtic Dragons=

Between 2005 and 2008, Mayes was a player coach with Celtic Dragons in the Netball Superleague. During the 2007–08 season she served as head coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/netball-the-rest-of-the-world-minnows-chase-rankings/H5XO6A53FXCO4YRS5Q5ARJ3FTM/|title=Netball: The rest of the world minnows chase rankings|publisher=www.nzherald.co.nz|date=8 November 2007|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/netball/32998/Dragons-roar-to-silence-Thunder|title=Dragons roar to silence Thunder|publisher=www.express.co.uk|date=28 January 2008|accessdate=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/news/3229415/bath-cool-dragons-fire|title=Bath cool Dragons' fire|publisher=www.skysports.com|date=3 March 2008|access-date=25 April 2024}}

=International=

==England==

Mayes represented England at both under-16 and under-17 levels, winning 5 caps.

==Wales==

On 12 March 2002, Mayes made her senior debut for Wales against Barbados. She eventually made 45 senior appearances for Wales. She represented Wales at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games, at the 2003 and 2007 World Netball Championships and at several European Netball Championships.{{cite news|title=Anna Mayes, netballer|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/raiseyourgame/sites/inspiration/futureheroes/pages/anna_mayes.shtml|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312025614/https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/raiseyourgame/sites/inspiration/futureheroes/pages/anna_mayes.shtml|archive-date=12 March 2016|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite news|title=158 – Anna Stembridge nee Mayes|url=https://walesnetball.com/players/158-anna-stembridge-nee-mayes/|publisher=walesnetball.com|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teambath.com/2016/01/11/anna-stembridge/|title=Anna Stembridge|publisher=www.teambath.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425182903/https://www.teambath.com/2016/01/11/anna-stembridge/|archive-date=25 April 2023|accessdate=20 February 2020|date=11 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://teamwales.cymru/board-member/anna-stembridge1/|title=Anna Stembridge|publisher=teamwales.cymru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002041547/https://teamwales.cymru/board-member/anna-stembridge1/|archive-date=2 October 2023|access-date=25 April 2024}}

class="wikitable collapsible" ! Tournaments ! Place
2002 Commonwealth Games{{cite news\|title=Weston left in reserve\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/low/other_sports/newsid_2067000/2067255.stm\|publisher=bbc.co.uk\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030921124917/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/low/other_sports/newsid_2067000/2067255.stm\|archive-date=21 September 2003\|date=26 June 2002\|access-date=3 May 2024}}	6th
2003 World Netball Championships{{cite web\|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/World/Women_2003.html\|title=Women Netball XI World Championship 2003\|publisher=www.todor66.com\|access-date=25 February 2020}}	14th
2006 Commonwealth Games{{cite news\|title=Wales select Games netball squad\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/netball/4652150.stm\|publisher=bbc.co.uk\|date=26 January 2006\|access-date=26 September 2012}}{{cite news\|title=Anna Mayes.Commonwealth Games\|url=https://archive.sportingwales.com/image/I0000foyNYNaMRR8\|publisher=sportingwales.com\|date=23 March 2006\|access-date=26 April 2024}}	8th
2007 World Netball Championships{{cite web\|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/World/Women_2007.html\|title=Women Netball XII World Championship 2007 Auckland\|publisher=www.todor66.com\|access-date=25 February 2020}}	12th

Coaching career

=England=

Between 2008 and 2011, Mayes served as an assistant coach with England. She served as an assistant at the 2008 Taini Jamison Trophy Series, the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2011 World Netball Championships. Between 2008 and 2009 she also served as a coach with the England U21's. She first acted as head coach of a senior England team at the 2010 World Netball Series, guiding them to second place.{{cite web|url=https://teamengland.org/news/anna-mayes-aims-to-build-a-world-class-england-team-for-glasgow-2014|title=Anna Mayes aims to build a world class England team for Glasgow 2014|publisher=teamengland.org|date=29 May 2013|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/World/Women_2011.html|title=Women Netball XIII World Championship 2011|publisher=www.todor66.com|access-date=5 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707133659/http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/World/Women_2011.html|archive-date=7 July 2020|url-status=live}} At the 2011 World Netball Series, while interim head coach, she guided England to the gold medal. It was the first time England won a major tournament. In the final they defeated New Zealand 33–26. In December 2011 she was confirmed as head coach on a permanent basis.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/netball/15563839.stm|title=England win World Netball Series after defeating New Zealand|publisher=news.bbc.co.uk|date=29 November 2011|accessdate=18 December 2011}}

Between 2011 and 2015, Mayes served as head coach of the England team, taking charge for 46 test matches. She guided England to 31 wins, achieving a win rate of 67% overall. In January 2013 she guided England to an historic 3–0 series win against Australia. She also guided England to two series wins against Jamaica. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Mayes' England lost narrowly by 1 goal to both Australia and New Zealand.{{cite news|title=Anna Mayes targets world domination for England's netball team|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/oct/14/netball-england-anna-mayes-commonweath-games|publisher=www.theguardian.com|date=14 October 2013|access-date=29 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teambath.com/2013/01/20/crowds-at-university-of-bath-witness-historic-england-netball-victory/|title=Crowds at University of Bath witness historic England Netball victory|publisher=www.teambath.com|date=20 January 2013|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/21161065|title=Netball: England beat Australia to seal historic first series win|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|date=23 January 2013|access-date=30 April 2024}} During the 2014 Taini Jamison Trophy Series, England beat New Zealand in New Zealand for only the second time.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/29799524|title=England netball: Tourists record famous win in New Zealand|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116221107/https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/29799524|archive-date=16 January 2021|date=28 October 2014|access-date=2 December 2023}} In March 2015, it was announced that Mayes would be leaving her England role.{{cite web|url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/generalsport/11867962.swindons-mayes-departs-england-role/|title=Swindon's Mayes departs England role|publisher=www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk|date=19 March 2015|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/67463608/magic-import-jo-harten-shocked-by-england-coach-anna-mayes-sacking|title=Magic import Jo Harten shocked by England coach Anna Mayes' sacking|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=20 March 2015|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.silverferns.co.nz/silver-ferns/news/latest-news/world-championship/2015/england-netball-have-parted-company-with-national-head-coach-anna-mayes.html|title=England Netball have parted company with national head coach Anna Mayes|publisher=www.silverferns.co.nz|date=20 March 2015|access-date=25 April 2024}} She was subsequently replaced by Tracey Neville.{{cite news|title=England Netball have replaced head coach Anna Mayes with Tracey Neville|url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/9766532/england-netball-have-replaced-head-coach-anna-mayes-with-tracey-neville|publisher=www.skysports.com|date=27 March 2015|access-date=29 January 2018}}

class="wikitable collapsible" ! Tournaments ! Place
2010 World Netball Series	{{silver02}}
2011 World Netball Series	{{gold01}}
2012 Netball Quad Series{{cite web\|url=https://gsport.co.za/hard-lessons-toughen-spar-proteas/\|title=Hard Lessons Toughen SPAR Proteas\|publisher=gsport.co.za\|date=2 November 2012\|access-date=20 December 2024}}	3rd
2012 Fast5 Netball World Series{{cite web\|url=https://www.majorevents.govt.nz/dmsdocument/4535-media-guide-fast5-netball-world-series\|title=Fast5 Netball World Series – Auckland NZ 2012 – Media guide \|publisher=www.majorevents.govt.nz\|date=11 November 2012\|access-date=3 July 2023}}	{{silver02}}
2013 Fast5 Netball World Series{{cite web\|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/netball-new-style-of-fast5-faces-biggest-test/SUCXLIMHZIN5A7CV4J34DA6SFU/\|title=Netball: New style of Fast5 faces biggest test\|publisher=www.nzherald.co.nz\|date=7 November 2013\|access-date=30 April 2024}}	6th
2014 Commonwealth Games{{Cite web\|url=https://teamengland.org/news/team-england-netball-2014\|title=Team England name Netball squad\|publisher=teamengland.org\|date=1 July 2014\|access-date=24 March 2024}}{{cite news\|title=Commonwealth Games 2014: Anna Mayes backs her ‘best-ever’ England netball team to pass tough tests\|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/commonwealth-games-2014-anna-mayes-backs-her-bestever-england-netball-team-to-pass-tough-tests-9630115.html\|publisher=www.independent.co.uk\|date=25 July 2014\|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/aug/03/england-netball-jamaica-bronze-medal\|title=England miss out on Commonwealth netball bronze after Jamaica defeat\|publisher=www.theguardian.com\|date=3 August 2014\|access-date=20 July 2021}}	4th
2014 Taini Jamison Trophy Series	2nd
2014 Fast5 Netball World Series{{cite web\|url=https://mbphoto.photoshelter.com/image/I0000BJcskrpAx7M\|title=England's Anna Mayes...\|publisher=photoshelter.com\|date=5 November 2014\|access-date=30 April 2024}}	{{bronze03}}

=Team Bath=

Between 2008 and 2010, Mayes served as an assistant coach with Team Bath. She formed a successful partnership with head coach Jess Thirlby and together they guided Team Bath to two Netball Superleague titles.{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/netball/44724/Team-Bath-names-new-coaching-line-up|title=Team Bath names new coaching line-up|publisher=www.express.co.uk|accessdate=21 February 2020|date=16 May 2008}} In 2015, after leaving the England head coach role, Mayes, now known as Anna Stembridge, returned to Team Bath to serve as head coach. She was initially reunited with Thirlby, who was now Director of Netball. Under Stembridge, Team Bath qualified for the play-offs every season she was head coach and in 2021 they were runners up. They also won the 2021 British Fast5 Netball All-Stars Championship. In April 2022, Stembridge announced she would step down as head coach at the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.teambath.com/2019/05/22/anna-stembridge-netball-superleague-head-coach/|title="I'm excited to see where we can go from here" – Anna Stembridge recommits to Team Bath Netball as Superleague Head Coach|publisher=www.teambath.com|accessdate=20 February 2020|date=22 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12414/11726194/anna-stembridge-recommits-to-team-bath-netball-as-superleague-head-coach|title=Anna Stembridge recommits to Team Bath Netball as Superleague head coach|publisher=www.skysports.com|date=22 May 2019|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/12060527/team-bath-s-anna-stembridge-reflects-on-cancelled-2020-vitality-netball-superleague-season|title=Team Bath's Anna Stembridge reflects on cancelled 2020 Vitality Netball Superleague season|publisher=www.skysports.com|date=1 October 2020|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://fast5allstars.com/news/team-bath-win-2021-fast5-all-stars-championship/| title=Team Bath win 2021 Fast5 All-Stars Championship| publisher=Fast5 All-Stars Championship|date=30 October 2021|accessdate=23 November 2021}} In April 2024, Stembridge and Thirlby, were inducted into the University of Bath/Team Bath Hall of Fame for Sport.{{cite web|url=https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/jess-thirlby-anna-stembridge-team-bath-hall-of-fame/|title=Jess Thirlby and Anna Stembridge inducted into University of Bath Hall of Fame for Sport|publisher=www.englandnetball.co.uk|date=16 April 2024|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teambath.com/about/the-people/hall-of-fame/|title=Hall of Fame for Sport|publisher=www.teambath.com|accessdate=29 April 2020}}