GB performance director Ed Barney has jumped ship from hockey to cricket ahead of Paris 2024.
Barney has joined England cricket as its performance director for the men’s game and will start his new role in March — five months before the Paris Olympics — after a decade at GB and England Hockey.
Barney, who worked in sailing and at the ECB before becoming head of talent development at Bisham Abbey in 2013, moved to his current performance director role in 2016.
England women won Commonwealth gold and England men reached a first European final for 14 years under his tenure – he also implemented England Hockey’s new talent system – while he will leave without a global title at elite level.
Barney, 41, said: “The opportunity to return to the ECB and take on the role of Performance Director was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I’m looking forward to building on much of the exceptional work that is in place, whilst ensuring that the quality of our provision supports the most talented players to realise their potential, excel on the world stage and inspire the nation about everything that cricket has to offer.
“It’s been a real honour to lead the performance team at England and Great Britain Hockey over the past seven years. It has been very special to see many of the junior teams break through, whilst the senior programmes have excelled on the world stage with European, Commonwealth Games and Olympic medals.”
Rob Key, managing director of England Men’s Cricket, said: “Ed has an outstanding record in a number of high-performance sports. The men’s Performance Director is a vital role as we look to continually increase the depth of talent and prepare players for the rigours of international cricket.
“What is clear with Ed is that he has been able to do that at England and Great Britain Hockey, building world-class programmes that has left them in a better place than when he started, while his experience with the ECB makes him ready-made to build on the significant work we have already been doing.”
England Hockey said: “We want to wish Ed luck in his new role and thank him for everything he’s done while he’s been at England Hockey.”
