A University of Worcester student has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the England Under 14s Women’s basketball team.
Shanice Turner
Shanice Turner, who has been studying to become a PE teacher alongside basketball playing and coaching commitments, has been playing regularly since she was 14, but got into coaching due to an injury that put her on the sidelines. She recently guided the team at international tournaments in Greece and Scotland.
“I’m proud, it means all the hard work has paid off,” said the 27-year-old, of Wolverhampton. “I think it’s more about the children than the status, being able to work with kids at such a high level that understand the game. Being able to take my coaching to the next level is also an exciting process and learn from coaches of such a high level [in the England set up].”
Shanice has herself played basketball for England at Under 17 Women’s level and was also selected for the Under 18s Women’s squad. She has played professionally for Gloucester Queens (Women’s British Basketball League) and has been playing for the Worcester Wolves Women’s team, currently in Division 1 of the National Basketball League, since 2016, of which she is now the captain. She has also been the Assistant Coach for this team since 2023.
The former North East Wolverhampton Academy student has been coaching at junior level since she was 16. She studied for two years at a basketball academy, where she earned her coaching qualifications. But her first taste of a formal coaching role came when an injury put her off the court for a year in the 2022-23 season and she took on the Head Coach role for the University of Worcester Women's Basketball 2nd team. A second season out with injury a year later saw her join the Worcester Wolves Men’s team as Assistant Coach. She has been the assistant coach for England Women Under 15s for the last two years and has been on the England talent pathway, coaching regionally Under 13s to Under 15s.
“It’s the chance of a lifetime and I do feel I put in the work to get there 100 per cent,” she said. “Because of my injury I know anything can happen at any time, so whenever you have a great opportunity like this you have got to grab it with both hands.”
Shanice has combined her coaching at regional and national level, training camps and playing for Worcester Wolves with studying for a PGCE in secondary PE, which she has just completed, and has started a job as a PE teacher at Codsall Community High School. She has an undergraduate degree in Sports Coaching Science and a Master’s in Coaching from Worcester and has been supported through the University’s Sports Scholarship scheme and more recently with scholarships through Worcester Wolves. She said she had always had great support from University staff.
“It’s hard to balance [my commitments], so I have to make sure I’m organised,” she said. “I’ve done a little bit of university work every day to make sure I don’t fall behind. There’s certain sacrifices I’ve had to make to make it work, but it’s 100 per cent worth it. It doesn’t feel like a chore. I really enjoy it and all the girls I coach are lovely, they’re such good people and being able to pass on what I know and trying to improve the next generation of players is both rewarding and exciting. I take that attitude into my teaching as well, so I find it important to get to know the kids and help them develop not only as players but as people. I take that philosophy into both teaching and coaching.”