Englishman Darren Cheesman’s coaching career continues to take shape after he was announced as Berlin Hockey Club’s new coach for the 2022/23 season.
Cheesman takes over the reins frm Rein van Eijk and the 36-year-old said that working in the Bundesliga had always been an aim.
“Rein has created a perfect basis in Berlin, I’m really looking forward to continuing this project,” he said.
Cheesman is moving from MHC Laren in the Netherlands, where he coached the women’s 1s.
“The market for hockey trainers in Germany is very tight at the moment,” said BHC President Dirk Gaßmann. “That’s why we looked around all of Europe right from the start.
“We were looking for a coach who is dynamic and progressive. Someone who thinks out of the box. We have now found it with Darren Cheesman.”
Cheesman played for the likes of Reading and East Grinstead, as well as England and Great Britain.
Gaßmann added: “Our goal is to establish ourselves with the team in the long term among the national elite. The potential to play for the German championship title is there. We have already proven that in recent years.”
In the last two years, BHC had reached the indoor final twice and league semi-finals and Cheesman now wants to send Berlin back to the EHL as well as be able to speak German.
“I learned French during my time in Belgium, and then Dutch during my time as a player and coach in Holland. I know that it is very important to understand and speak the respective language.”
Before his time in Laren, Cheesman worked as an assistant coach for the Belgium U15 to U23 national teams and as an assistant coach for the England under-16 men’s team.
Seems like a really good appointment to me. Been to Berliner HC a few times – a very good set up. Darren is the right person to take them to the next level – Bundesliga titles and EHL. Good luck.