Danny Kerry has been appointed as head coach of the Great Britain men's hockey team, replacing Bobby Crutchley after he stepped down in May.
Kerry moves over from the women’s set-up, where he led the GB side to a famous Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016 as well as bronze at London 2012 in a 13-year stint and became the most successful British hockey coach in history.
The two-time FIH coach of the year will also take charge of the England men’s team, as he did in his role with the women’s side.
The move comes after the England women’s team reached the quarter-finals of their home World Cup earlier this month, where they were defeated by eventual winners the Netherlands.
“After 13 and a half years of serving the women’s programme I am very proud of what the many teams of athletes have achieved,” he said.
“I believe we have been instrumental in raising the profile of women’s team sport and the impact in terms of increased participation in hockey has been astronomical. The incredible scenes at the recent women’s Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup are testimony to that impact.
“Perhaps more important to me is how those athletes and teams have gone about inspiring future generations. The values of the teams have shone through and I believe we have been a trailblazer for other national teams in that regard.
“It has been an honour and a privilege, and now I am I excited and can’t wait to get going with the men’s teams.”
Kerry will take charge in early September ahead of Great Britain’s international match against Belgium on October 3, a fixture that marks 30 years since GB men's gold medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
He will then lead England into the World Cup in India, which gets underway in November.
And Performance Director Ed Barney revealed that Kerry was always the number one target to replace Crutchley.
“Danny was clearly the outstanding applicant in a highly competitive pool of experienced and medal-winning candidates,” he said.
“We know first-hand of his qualities and he will bring a fresh perspective to the men’s squad which I am sure will support them in their transition to a place of repeated medal winning success.”
Kerry oversaw an unprecedented rise in the world rankings for GB women as well as maiden EuroHockey Championships and World Cup gold medals, and was awarded an MBE for services to women’s hockey in 2016.
Chief Operating Officer of Great Britain Hockey Sally Munday led the tributes to Kerry’s record-breaking time with the women’s side.
“I would like to place on record our gratitude to Danny for his achievements with the Great Britain and England women’s teams, and the legacy he leaves behind,” she said.
“His contribution cannot be underestimated, delivering the first Olympic medal in more than 20 years in 2012, then following up with an historic gold in Rio.
“He has devoted many years of service to the team, sport and governing body and we continue to value the unique strengths, delivery and leadership that Danny brings to England and Great Britain Hockey.”
The search for a new coach for GB women will begin immediately ahead of the FIH Champions Trophy in China later this year. Sportsbeat 2018