Kelly Fillingham appointed as Scotland women’s assistant coach

Scottish Hockey has announced the appointment of Kelly Fillingham as assistant coach for the Scotland Women’s National Team.

Experienced at all levels of the game, Kelly has coached the Scotland Emerging Girls’ squad since 2018 and leads on Scottish Hockey’s Brave Academy. Kelly was also assistant for the Scotland U21 women’s team.

Kelly has coached the Scotland over 50s women masters squad, leading the squad to the World Cup in 2022, where the team won bronze, and in 2018 as well as the Europeans in 2019. Kelly also came through the GB Hockey Advanced Coach Programme, and coached GB Colleges for two years.

Before moving to Scotland Kelly played age group hockey in England up to U18 level, and played National League hockey in England across a number of clubs from the age of 15 to 30.

In 2006 Kelly became a full-time coach and had a successful coaching career south of the border, leading clubs outside and inside the National League to success, before taking a job coaching in the National League.

There was success with Greenhead College who became national champions. Kelly worked as Head of Hockey there for ten years, winning numerous national championships and cups and developing a top-class hockey programme.

Kelly was also the director of a successful performance and coach development company in England called 360 hockey, and worked as a head coach in England’s performance centre system for four years.

Kelly recently participated in Team Scotland’s Achieve Programme at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

It’s a huge year for the team as the Scots build towards the EuroHockey Championships in Monchengladbach, Germany, on 18-27 August.

Scotland will play in Pool B at the tournament against England; Germany; and Ireland. Pool A features Belgium; Italy; The Netherlands; and Spain.

Kelly said, “I’m incredibly excited to start this role and can’t wait to get going and work with this talented squad. Since I came up to Scotland four years ago to coach the u16s I feel I’ve found a home that fits my ethos, philosophies and personality as a coach.

“I am passionate about playing my part in our world class ambitions and am looking forward to throwing myself in to the challenge ahead this year with an A division Euros in Germany.”

Scotland women’s Head Coach Chris Duncan added, “This is a really exciting time for us in the Scotland Women’s National Team programme. After a highly competitive 2022 programme, the players are motivated to further develop who we are as a team and how well we can compete with the top nations in Europe. As we look to continue our development towards our long-term aspirations, we are truly delighted that Kelly has joined the team in the role of assistant coach.

“Kelly’s experience of our pathway programmes in this country brings a different perspective to our team, and it is realty exciting to have somebody from our pathway receive this opportunity. Alongside Kelly’s depth of experience in her coaching career, her enthusiasm for her own coaching journey, and genuine passion for the game, will bring a fresh insight into our programme, which will assist us towards continued success.”

 

 

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