GB and England Hockey has appointed Danny Kerry as performance director, his remit to lead the sport towards the LA 2028 Olympics.
Kerry, who will step into the role vacated by Ed Barney, had a spell as performance director from 2012 to 2016, when he also took on the women’s head coach job after Jason Lee exited after that year’s World Cup.
The national governing body said his “proven track record of developing elite athletes, makes him the ideal candidate” to lead the programme, which will start in September.
Kerry previously served as head coach of England and GB women from 2005-2012 and 2014-2018 and as men’s head coach from 2018 until early 2022.
Recently, he had taken on the women’s coaching job at Canada, leaving after the Paris Olympic qualifiers in January. The move is a surprising one given Kerry has been employed in a wide variety of roles over a long career at Bisham Abbey, but hockey chiefs said that the Englishman had been the strongest candidate.
Kerry said: “The sport has seen amazing growth over the last 16 years, and I look forward to working with the many people and bodies that underpin our international teams, athletes and our great sport.”
Nick Pink, CEO of England and COO of Great Britain Hockey, said: “Danny’s track record speaks for itself, and we are confident that his leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to strive for success on the international stage and deliver our ambitious strategy.”
Kerry will take up his new role after the Paris Olympics from September 2024.
This is not against Danny but this lacks inspiration. already been in the role and left … understand due to England rugby needing a job but doesn’t mean he is the right person. Not sure who applied but very closed shop at Bisham and significant change is needed. With exception of Revington the hiring has been very questionable.