Driving force: Coach Mark Hager sets sights on GB hockey women success

Here’s a little known fact about Mark Hager, England and GB women’s coach: the former teak-tough Australian forward was once pretty handy as a signage engraver in Perth. Unable to travel back home to New Zealand in his current guise, Hager has now focused on Lego Technics and is currently constructing a Lamborghini in his spare time. 

This could also be a metaphor for his GB team as they finally returned to the international fold this week, set their sights on playing the driving forces of world hockey – Holland, Germany, Argentina et al – over the next two months or so and look to engrave themselves on some silverware this summer.