Wednesday, November 12, 2025

George Pinner: My first hockey coach


England hockey goalkeeper George Pinner on David Walsh, his first coach at Ipswich School.

David was brilliant and injected a huge amount of positivity into my sessions. I started playing in goal as a 10-year-old as I was ill one day at school but there was no way I was missing the session.

A year later, he told me I could play for England one day. I don’t know if he had the knowledge to back that up. I don’t know if he believed it or not. But the way he told it to me and the way the conversation went, it really motivated and inspired me so much.

As a coach that is so important. You don’t have to be the most technical or brilliant player yourself but bringing energy and positivity, that was

Continue reading...

Unlock ALL our premium content for 3 months for only £1...and get use of our subscriber-only app for a better reading experience.

Simply select Monthly or Yearly subscription and use coupon 3FOR1 when prompted.

Already a subscriber to our website? Login

Hockey Factory Shop

spot_img

More from Author

Duco Telgenkamp received ‘threats’ after Paris Olympic hockey final

Dutch forward Duco Telgenkamp hopes to bring his mental health streaming...

Belgium rugby copy hockey model on own world path

Belgium men made history to become the first team sport to...

Dream Team: Mel Clewlow picks her hockey 11

The double Team GB Olympian selects a talent-picked XI she'd relish...

Hockey India to continue Pakistan handshakes

Hockey India (HI) says it will not prevent its teams from...

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img