CHRIS PEARCE APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY AT SOUTHGATE HOCKEY CLUB

April 19, 2023

**Chris Pearce with Chairman Neil Murphy at Southgate Hockey Centre, Trent Park, London, UK on 14 April 2023. Photo by Simon Parker/SP Action Images**

Southgate Hockey Club has today appointed Chris Pearce as their Director of Hockey & Director of Junior Hockey.

Chris joins Southgate after, most recently, coaching Canterbury Women in National Division One South and the Men’s 1st Team at Tunbridge Wells HC to the National Club Championship Tier 2 Final. He also coached all 3 men’s squads at the University of Kent this season and has been employed as a hockey coach at Kent College, Canterbury. He has coached the South O45’s Masters squad in recent years winning the National Championship in 2019 and has coached the Kent Men’s squad since 2017 who have been National Champions since 2019.

Chris chose to leave a varied and successful career in teaching in 2022 with his final role being Director of Sport at Sir Roger Manwood’s Grammar School in Kent from 2017-2022. He is currently on the Advanced Coaching Programme with Great Britain Hockey.

**Chris Pearce with selected Committee Members at Southgate Hockey Centre, Trent Park, London, UK on 14 April 2023. Photo by Simon Parker/SP Action Images**

Speaking of his new role Chris said. “I am very excited to be joining Southgate HC as Director of Hockey and Director of Junior Hockey. With the ambition of the club members I have already met and the outstanding facilities at our disposal, the infrastructure is in place to achieve current goals and to set new ones too. I will develop and implement our objectives with the aim of ensuring high levels of participation and excellence by being active in all sections of the club.

By developing strong relationships with all stakeholders, from juniors, parents and schools to players and coaches, we will ensure we are active and impactful in the local community and continue to provide a club that current and future members can be very proud to be a part of for many years to come.”

**Chris Pearce with Junior Manager Liz Moss at Southgate Hockey Centre, Trent Park, London, UK on 14 April 2023. Photo by Simon Parker/SP Action Images**

Southgate HC Club Chairman Neil Murphy said today, “Chris is our first full-time Director of Hockey, a role which also incorporates Director of Junior Hockey. This is a major investment by the Club and we look forward to working with Chris on the long term, sustainable development of Southgate. Chris is a talented, experienced and highly qualified hockey coach and all members, junior and senior, will benefit from his on-field sessions as well as his strategic direction.

Southgate launched Project Sleeping Giant last year with the arrival of Kwan Browne and Andy Richardson as our Head Coaches. Phase two of this ambitious plan is centred around Chris and, in particular, the development and expansion of our junior section. Chris will lead this campaign both on and off the pitch, as well as coaching across our senior sections in partnership with Kwan and Andy.

After a tremendous, promotion winning 22/23 season for our Women’s and Men’s first Teams, we are ready to push on and build strength and depth right across the Club.”