Ice Hockey UK has reviewed and relaunched its Great Britain programme board.
The objective of the programme board is to develop and implement a successful performance strategy for the Great Britain Men U20s, U18s and U16s, as well as GB Women U18 and U16.
The GB programme board will be made up of mixture of representatives from within ice hockey in the UK…
David Hand – Chair
Gary Brine – Vice Chair
Paul Hayes – Vice Chair
Mark Beggs – IHUK National Talent Identification Officer
Andy Buxton – GB General Manager
Andy French – IHUK General Secretary
Martin Gill – IHUK Finance Director
Tony Hand – IHUK National Development Head Coach
Jonathan Phillips – Player Representative
The board will set the foundations for the development of a performance pathway that runs from juniors through to elite.
The programme will assist with increasing the performance level of GB players and their performance at major championships, whilst ensuring that the ice hockey community continues to grow and develop at lower levels.
Meanwhile, a new team of coaches and managers will now be appointed ahead of the first combined pre-selection camp to be held at Ice Sheffield in July where all three men’s age groups will take part ahead of individual team camps and tournaments.
There will be on-going initiatives including a women’s four-team international tournament to be held in November and greater scouting of league games for any players who may have missed selection to Conference.
National development head coach, Tony Hand, said: “This is an exciting new development in the structure of the national-team programme.
“We will be working with national coaches in England and Scotland. it is an important step in our development as a hockey nation.”
GB programme chairman, David Hand, added: “It is important we get it right at a junior level as this will enhance their path to the senior squads.
“We have an exciting crop of young British players and we want to make sure they get the best possible chance of being successful.”