At Gower College Swansea, we are committed to delivering an exceptional learning experience — one that extends far beyond the classroom. Central to that commitment is the expertise, passion and real-world experience our staff bring to every lesson, training session and opportunity offered to our learners.
In this feature, we speak with Sarah Lewis, a leading figure within our Sport department. Alongside teaching Sport, Sport and Exercise Science, and A Level Physical Education, Sarah leads our thriving Netball Academy, shaping the next generation of student-athletes with the same dedication and ambition that have defined her own career.
Balancing her role at the College with elite-level coaching, Sarah has served as Head Coach for Wales Netball U21 and U23 and as Assistant Coach for the LexisNexis Dragons. Her pursuit of excellence has seen her lead Wales U21 to their highest ever finish at a Youth World Cup and play a major role in helping the LexisNexis Dragons achieve their highest league finish since 2014. Alongside these achievements, she is currently completing a Doctorate in Elite Sports Coaching — further evidence of her commitment to continuous growth and innovation in high-performance sport.
This is her season.
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Q: This has been a busy season for you. Can you tell us about your role with LexisNexis Dragons?
Absolutely. This season has been a significant one for me, both professionally and personally, as I have continued my role as Assistant Coach with LexisNexis Dragons in the Netball Super League, helping them achieve a 5th placed finish, their highest since 2014. Being part of a professional franchise competing at the highest level of domestic netball in the UK has been an incredible privilege. It has given me invaluable experience of what it takes to coach, perform and operate within an elite sporting environment.
Q: What does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?
My role is varied and involves supporting the wider coaching team with training preparation, matchday delivery, opposition analysis and the ongoing development of players across the squad. A major focus this season has been working with the defensive unit, preparing athletes for the tactical and physical demands of Super League competition.
That has included analysing opposition attacking structures, identifying key threats, contributing to game plans, and helping players understand how we could disrupt attacking play, apply pressure and create turnover opportunities against some of the strongest attacking units in the league.
Q: What have you found most challenging about working in the Netball Super League?
The Super League is an incredibly demanding environment. Every week presents a different challenge, with limited time to analyse performances, prepare for new opposition and adapt game plans. The level of detail required is significant, from video analysis and tactical planning through to training design, match preparation and post-match reflection.
It has challenged me to continue developing as a coach and has strengthened my understanding of high-performance sport, particularly around decision-making, communication, athlete management and working collaboratively as part of a professional coaching team.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about the experience?
Without doubt, one of the most rewarding aspects has been working alongside elite athletes and staff who are committed to raising standards every single day. Being immersed in that environment continually pushes me to improve my own coaching practice.
Importantly, it also allows me to bring those experiences back into my work at the college. The knowledge I gain through professional netball directly influences how I support learners, academy athletes and aspiring coaches, particularly in areas such as performance analysis, tactical understanding, professionalism, resilience and preparation.
Q: Alongside your Super League role, you also coached Wales U21 at the Netball Youth World Cup. Tell us about that experience.
That was undoubtedly one of the proudest moments of my coaching career. I had the honour of leading Wales U21 as Head Coach at the Netball Youth World Cup in Gibraltar. To represent Wales on the world stage, lead a talented group of young athletes through an international tournament and compete against some of the best youth teams in the world was a huge privilege.
I'm incredibly proud that Wales achieved a 10th-place finish, the highest placing ever achieved by a Welsh U21 team. It was a fantastic achievement for everyone involved and a very special milestone in my own coaching journey.
Q: You’ve balanced several demanding roles this year. How have you managed it?
It certainly hasn't been easy. Alongside my coaching responsibilities, I've continued working full-time as a lecturer, supported our college netball academy, coached in the professional Super League, led an international U21 programme and continued with my doctoral studies.
Balancing those commitments has required a great deal of organisation, resilience and commitment. However, it has also reinforced just how passionate I am about coaching, education and developing others. Each role complements the others, and I genuinely enjoy the opportunity to keep learning and growing across different environments.
Q: How do these experiences benefit your students and the college?
I'm proud of what I've achieved this season, but I'm equally proud of the example it sets for our learners. I want students to see that it's possible to work hard, embrace opportunities, continue developing and operate at a high level while remaining committed to learning.
The experiences I've gained through LexisNexis Dragons and Wales U21 have given me greater confidence and a broader depth of knowledge, and I believe that enhances everything I do within the classroom, our academy programme and across the wider department.
Q: Looking back on the season, what are your reflections?
Overall, it has been an incredibly challenging, busy and rewarding season. I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent the college within elite sport and to continue strengthening the links between education, performance sport and professional practice.
The experiences I've gained this year will continue to shape my coaching, my teaching and my doctoral research, and I'm excited to keep building on those experiences in the seasons ahead.
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This has been an exceptional year for Sarah, her work across education, professional netball and international netball is an exceptional example of how staff expertise and experience can enrich the student experience. Sarah’s achievements this season not only reflect her personal commitment to performance and learning, but also brings valuable insight, credibility and inspiration to the learners and athletes she supports every day.
We are proud to celebrate Sarah’s continued success in balancing elite level sport, lecturing and higher-level study and the impact that it has on the college and the learner experience.