Danny Kerry announced as Head Coach of Great Britain and England men

Great Britain and England Hockey have announced the appointment of Danny Kerry as Head Coach of the Great Britain and England men’s international teams.

Danny has spent the best part of 13 years as Head Coach of the GB and England women’s international teams, and was the outstanding applicant in a worldwide search to replace Bobby Crutchley, who left his post earlier this year.

Danny’s record marks him as the most successful coach in British hockey history, having taken the women’s team to Olympic gold and bronze medals, European gold and their highest ever FIH world ranking.

The 47-year-old accepted the role last week, and will take up his post in early September, as the Great Britain men’s team prepare for their Toshiba International against Belgium on Wednesday 3 October in London, marking 30 years since the gold medal in the Seoul Olympics. In November the England men’s team travel to India for their World Cup, before the FIH Pro League begins at the end of January 2019.

Performance Director Ed Barney said, “On behalf of Great Britain Hockey I am delighted to announce Danny’s appointment. Following an open recruitment process, Danny was clearly the outstanding applicant in a highly competitive pool of experienced and medal-winning candidates.

“We know first-hand of his qualities and he will bring a fresh perspective to the men’s squad which I am sure will support them in their transition to a place of repeated medal winning success.”

Danny Kerry added, “I simply cannot wait to join a great team of staff and athletes and to begin a new chapter in my professional career. I have for many years watched the fellas train and compete and often wondered whether I would one day have an opportunity to work with them. That opportunity has now come and I am excited. There is ability, there is a desire to put in the hard practice, there is a desire to want to be better, and to be selected to serve that programme, I am really delighted.

“I look forward to working hard to continue to build on the work of the athletes and that of previous coaches Bobby and Jason. The World Cup around the corner in November is an exciting prospect and I know how hard the team and athletes are preparing. Swiftly on the heels of that is the new FIH Pro League and critically we also have Olympic Qualification to attain in 2019, added to that the EuroHockey Championships in August. We have a great programme, staff and athletes and a sense of intent, and I am looking forward to the road ahead.

“After 13 and a half years of serving the women’s programme I am very proud of what the many teams of athletes have achieved. I believe we have been instrumental in raising the profile of women’s team sport and the impact in terms of increased participation in hockey has been astronomical. The incredible scenes at the recent women’s Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup are testimony to that impact.

“Perhaps more important to me is how those athletes and teams have gone about inspiring future generations. The values of the teams have shone through and I believe we have been a trailblazer for other national teams in that regard. There has been a higher purpose than simple outcome. I believe the team and programme will now benefit from new leadership and I will look back with great fondness of the amazing times spent with so many staff and athletes. I have learnt so much it is hard to express. I would like to thank the many athletes and staff for all they have given to the teams and the sport, and wish the present custodians of the jersey the very best. It has been an honour and a privilege, and now I am excited and can’t wait to get going with the men’s teams.”

Since Danny’s first appointment as Head Coach of the women’s teams in January 2005, they have risen from 11th to 2nd in the FIH World Rankings, winning medals at four world level events. His England and Great Britain teams won their first ever medal at a World Cup, and first ever women’s gold medals at both the EuroHockey Championships and Olympic games. He was twice named FIH Coach of the Year, as well as Team GB Coach of the Year. In 2016 he was awarded an MBE for services to women’s hockey.

Sally Munday, Chief Operating Officer of Great Britain Hockey commented, “I would like to place on record our gratitude to Danny for his achievements with the Great Britain and England women’s teams, and the legacy he leaves behind. His contribution cannot be underestimated, delivering the first Olympic medal in more than 20 years in 2012, then following up with an historic gold in Rio. He has devoted many years of service to the team, sport and governing body and we continue to value the unique strengths, delivery and leadership that Danny brings to England and Great Britain Hockey.”

Danny will be assisted in his new role by Russell Garcia and Jon Bleby. With regards to the vacancy for a women’s teams’ Head Coach, the process will begin immediately with the aim to have a candidate in place well ahead of the FIH Champions Trophy in China later this year.

 

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