SPOTLIGHT – JEREMY EVANS
The spotlight turns to Jeremy Evans our enthusiastic hockey guru and tea connoisseur.
Jeremy Evans, Head of Hockey and Residential House Tutor (AKA Jem, England Hockey CCC, England Hockey Coach Developer, Performance Director Hampshire)
Following a degree in Design and Technology, Jeremy worked as a Creative Director and Account Director for a design agency organising events and designs for brands such as Jaguar, JCB, Triumph, Nissan, Aston Martin, Piaggio, Oracle, plus many others. Times were exciting with vast budgets to create great events, campaigns, launches and tours. There was also a good deal of travelling around the world for 'jet-set Jeremy', including Moscow, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Damascus, Istanbul, and a few former Soviet Union countries. Jeremy was the “go-to” man for the best restaurants and hotels to visit! Even with the copious amounts of travelling and events, Jeremy still had time for his passion – hockey. He was Hockey Performance Director for Hampshire, England U16s Assistant Coach and supported some U21 work too, including mentoring and up-skilling other coaches. As hockey became more of a pull for Jeremy, he made the decision to leave the corporate world and work for England Hockey as their 2012 Events & Marketing Manager. An amazing role that combined both his hobby of coaching and his creative flair. High points included being asked to represent GB Hockey at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony on behalf of the CEO and sitting next to a French representative and explaining the British sense of humour! Jeremy, now at Warminster, passes on his expertise, energy and enthusiasm to our pupils.
How long have you worked at Warminster?
This is my third year.
What’s the best thing about your role?
Seeing our pupils smiling, laughing and enjoying life. I have worked hard and learnt a great deal over the years, not just sport, and now it is my time to pass this on to others!
Describe a typical day?
A typical day could look like the following:
Alarm at 6:00am, get up and try and look presentable – cup of tea.
6:55am turn the alarm off ready for the domestic team to arrive at 7:00am.
7:00am wake up our Year 10 boys (several attempts later when they are no longer horizontal) plus some tea.
7:20am wake up rest of House.
7:40am cup of tea at breakfast.
8:00am hand the House over to our Matron.
8:45 Periods 1 & 2, hockey on the astro.
Periods 3 & 4 Tea and some hockey admin.
Normally try and take early lunch before the pupils, as lunch is busy and there is always the chance to chat with pupils afterwards, plus some 1:1 coaching on the astro. Will also try and grab a cup of tea and catch up on the house news with Matron if I have a few extra minutes.
Period 5 & 6 at the Prep School astro, working with Years 2 – 6. This is fantastic!
Period 7 (Green Zone) more hockey back at the Senior astros.
5:00-6:00pm some extra hockey for those who do not get enough hockey in the academic day.
6:00pm supper and a chance to have a cup of tea.
6:30pm onwards, I am either on duty in the house chatting to pupils and having a cup of tea or two, with some indoor hockey thrown in for good measure, or taking a group of pupils to coach at a local hockey club.
Late – return to House grab a cup of tea, check emails plus send quite a few.
Overnight – dream of more hockey and definitely tea!
What do you think makes Warminster a special place to live and learn?
The pupils make Warminster an amazing place – the fun, their achievements, their confidence and interaction. Their normality and openness to let you into their lives and of course, their individuality.
What would surprise us about you?
A few things perhaps!
My main sport was actually rugby and not hockey, which I played 6 days a week. I accidentally stumbled into hockey at age 16 and I have stuck with it ever since.
My whole life until I came to Warminster was all about designing, creating and problem solving.
I organised the party for all the Olympic Hockey teams following London 2012.
Or, that I am a baker. I used to make family cakes for all birthdays and festive holidays before I came to Warminster. I think I will try and bake some of my 3D Christmas cookies later this term.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
I dreamt of working for Lego.
What did your school reports say about you?
He gave everything a go.
Jeremy is a hard worker and a good rugby player.
Jeremy enjoys school life (I was a full boarder at 7 years old!).
Jeremy is a shy boy who hides in crowds.
Your note/advice to teenage self?
Work hard and stay motivated.
Your mantra/motto or favourite quote?
The Games Staff will say it is this: “you do not know what you do not know”, I think it was too deep for some of them to understand!
It is actually, “leave a positive footprint in someone’s life”.
Most treasured possession?
Anything from Apple.
Biggest bugbear?
Lack of attention to detail. People who are late and lack of good manners.
Favourite musician/group?
Coldplay.
Guilty pleasure?
Chocolate, and it has to be Cadbury’s.
If you were on Masterchef what would your signature dish be?
Parma ham & melon with a drizzle of fruit coulis.
Beef Wellington, tower of mash potatoes with added parmesan, seasoning and chives, tied bundles of mange tout, baby corn on the cobs, topped off with my secret gravy recipe.
Desert has to be lemon meringue pie with clotted cream ice-cream and vanilla pods.
Last book you read?
Bounce by Matthew Syed.
Last movie watched?
Suicide Squad – very strange story line, good sound track.
Which actor would play you in a movie about your life?
There were a few options discussed in the office. Mrs Butterworth and Mr Fothergill decided on Hugh Grant. The typical English gent. So we will go with that!
Favourite tipple?
Port or tea. But not at the same time.
Favorite place/city in the world and why?
Cornwall, in particular the Old School House café in Port Isaac, North Cornwall, enjoying a hot chocolate overlooking the harbour and watching the world go by in an un-spoilt part of England.
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter.
You can keep up to date with all things hockey and Boniface Boarding House on Twitter.