Wapping hope that new men’s hockey coach Julian Halls, who joins from Premier Division Holcombe, will continue to “revolutionise playing and coaching” at the club.
Halls joins as head coach for the 2022/23 season, with the club saying that the move “displays the ambition of the club to build on the existing strong foundations and take Wapping to the next level. They are exciting times.”
Double Olympian Halls said: “To be working with such a young team leading the club with the best interests of the entire membership as its focus is truly exciting. I want to be able to bring my experience to the club in as many ways as possible. It’s an incredible club that will only get stronger as it continues to grow, and I feel privileged to play a small part in that.”
Wapping will be looking for promotion this season with Halls’ expertise, said captain Nathaneal Crawley.
But it won’t just be the elite players who will see the benefit. Sandra Akinbolu is excited by what Halls’ appointment means to the junior section and the development of coaching across the club.
“Julian’s coaching record at both junior and senior level is incredible,” she said. “Wapping is proud of how the junior section has grown providing hockey to such a large number of children from the local area. Wapping is a local club that provides for the needs of its membership and community. Julian will be key to improving on the quality of what we can offer.”
Club chair Dom Oliver hopes that the impact of this appointment will be long lasting.
He said: “Julian ticks every box for Wapping at this stage and I cannot wait to see where we go from here.
“Since 1989 we have consistently shown strong progress at every level of the club, pushing new heights on the pitch and building our awesome relationship with the local community.”
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