By Kevin Bishop
Being the only girl in a boys’ football team and learning her skills from David Beckham’s physio – those are the qualities our new sports rehab coach brings to her role at Mousehole AFC.
Mousehole AFC are delighted to welcome Beth Prouse to the backroom staff as our new sports rehabilitation coach, working under Gareth O’Neill our Head of Medical and Athletic Performance and alongside Matchday Medic, Ben Gibson. Talking to Beth just after a Coldplay concert in Cardiff and before she sets off for holiday followed by a month at West Ham, she told us she’s raring to go:
“With the amazing season that you’ve just had, and then trying to build on that, I want to be a part of that journey now you’re in the Southern League and hopefully do quite well next year. And you never know, maybe another title..”
Beth went to Redruth School where her PE teacher, and now Head Teacher, Craig Bonds had a huge influence on her: “My mum made me do ballet when I was younger, and I hated it. I really wanted to try football. So I tried it playing with the boys at break time and they suggested I come along to St Day. So then I kind of just excelled and through school but yeah, Craig Bonds gave us unbelievable opportunities, like playing rugby at Twickenham Stadium.”
Beth was the only girl in the boys’ team at St Day until the age of 16, something she feels has prepared her well for life at Mousehole: “To start with it was hard, but I just held my own. I did what I needed to do. And I didn’t let the boys affect me. It was until under 16 level when I was a victim of sexism and things like that. I nearly stopped playing. But up until that point, I almost felt happy after a game because if a boy was knocked off the ball because of me, they would then go home feeling a bit down, but then I’ll be like, Ha, yeah. You just lost to a girl!”
After graduating from Truro College with A levels in biology, geography and PE, Beth studied Sports Rehab at St Mary’s University in London. During her time there she had placements at Aldershot Town FC and Barnes Rugby Club, but it was during her time at Anatomie, a Sports Clinic in London that she gained some real celebrity experience. Solomon Abrahams is a physiotherapist and acupuncturist who has worked with Arsenal FC and is also currently personal physio to David Beckham. “Just a few weeks before I went there, David Beckham was actually in the studio. So that was incredible”.
Photo: Anatomie.co.uk
Before joining Mousehole for the new season, Beth is spending a month at West Ham as part of a programme called Choices International. She’ll be working with 11-17-year-olds from Spain helping with the physio provision for the teams there.
Beth will then join the Mousehole training set-up at Tuesday training sessions at Penwith College and every Saturday match. First-team manager Jake Ash is thrilled to have Beth on board: “We are so chuffed that Beth is going to join us next season to work with Gareth and Gibbo, to help the boys as needed. The boys know how hard it is to impress Gareth, so I was buzzing when he gave her a glowing recommendation after speaking to her!”
Beth is relishing the opportunity and is not fazed by being the only woman in an all-male team. In fact, some of the comments she received as a teenage girl in a boys’ team have made her stronger:
“I kind of just take it on the chin. I almost build from it, because then I think I can’t let it get me down. It will just motivate me to do better and achieve more. And to be honest, yeah, I’ve proven those people wrong. So then it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something within me.”
Beth feels that her experiences playing football growing up and the confidence she has gained from her time at St Marys have prepared her well for her new role and she can’t wait to get going with the team.
“I just think they’re going to be brilliant. I’m looking forward to the banter – I can’t wait to work with them.”
