Barnes women’s coach Omar Shibli hasn’t banned the words ‘Premier Division’ from the squad, but with the run-in underway, he believes his side could “make waves” should they create club history and reach the top flight next season.
Into their third season in Division One South, Barnes lead the way and after previous close shaves to securing promotion, Shibli feels they are well set this time around come crunch time.
“We’ve been lucky that we found our style of play and it means we have been consistently in the top three [in past seasons],” says Shibli, who also runs his EVO hockey camps.
“We didn’t know what to expect when we came into the division and it’s given us a foothold step by step.”
The Premier Division does loom large. The hold a three-point lead with seven games to play after slipping up to Southgate at the weekend. Into his seventh season at the helm of Barnes, he has had his work cut out with a 16-strong squad to work with for most of the season.

In that time, he has had only two players who have been with the team throughout, including Katie Martin-Fagg, goalkeeper and former captain. Shibli also has a highly experienced coaching team alongside him: Ranjeev Deol, a former Canadian Olympian, and Mark Robinson, who moved from Wimbledon as team manager and also coaches Barnes 2s.
“We are all clear that the Premier Division is the objective but whether we make it or not is 80% in our hands and there are all sorts of factors that can affect that,” adds Shibli.
“It’s our motivation and it’s why players are turning up in all weathers and we are all on the same page.”
“In previous seasons, the top flight was in range or the club wasn’t ready for the big time. It was a near miss last season [finishing third and Holcombe clinching promotion] and it crystalised our minds that this is what we want. We are a lot more ready this season.”
If Barnes do reach the top flight, adding more London derbies into the mix, the future does look promising.
The South West London location is a natural catchment for players, the club owns its pitch, is not on a school site and the committee, part of Barnes Sports Club, has developed the infrastructure in recent seasons, including an onsite kitchen and scoreboard erected.

“I don’t want to jinx it but we could make some waves,” he says of promotion hopes. “But with one team going up you can play the best hockey in the league but you have to be consistent. Anyone can beat anyone and it makes for a really exciting league.”
Moreover, Barnes women’s section is leading the way, with many clubs seeing the men’s team receive the attention.
“There is a blank canvas from where we could go. I think we have a squad with Premier Division calibre players, it’s getting there that is the challenge,” admits Shibli.
Having moved south from Glasgow aged 12, Shibli played for Cheam. A barrister by profession, Shibli says being a coach rather than player is more stressful due to the game being out of one’s control once he’s on the sidelines.
“I find it much more rewarding as a coach than a player,” he says. “You create the best environment and culture you can to get the best percentage chance of success but ultimately you have to let them play.
“It takes some getting used to from the translation as player to coach, how much you need to be directing as a coach and how much you need to be given the freedom to play. It’s a constant balance and personally I love it. It’s an absolute passion.”