Barry Middleton has been confirmed as the new head coach of Surbiton’s men following an 11-year spell at Holcombe, taking on the reins after Mark Pearn stepped down recently.
The EuroHockey Hall of Famer has a glittering CV as a player and, recently, as a player-coach, helping Holcombe finish as runners-up in the England in 2023.
He also has extensive experience working with young, up-and-coming players in his role as GB Elite Development Programme Assistant Coach, while his own achievements as a player are well documented, having made 432 international appearances, competed at four Olympics and led England and GB sides as captain, including to the European title in 2009.
He will be Head Coach of the men’s firsts as well as leading a new performance programme to support the development of men’s and women’s first team players and other young talent at the club.
In a post on the Surbiton website, the club’s board state: “We are looking forward to seeing Barry lead the Men’s 1s and the club’s evolving performance programme as we move into next season.
“His playing and coaching credentials are superb, and his appointment will bring exciting opportunities for performance players at Surbiton to evolve their own games as well supporting the club’s ongoing ambitions for team success at Premier Division and European level.”
Middleton is also looking forward to the new challenge: “I am delighted to be joining Surbiton HC at a time when there are so many exciting developments happening at the club.
“I thank Holcombe for 11 great years, but now is the time to move on with a young family changing my priorities in life. I am really looking forward to joining the club, getting started with the team and meeting the challenges ahead.”
Surbiton will play in the Euro Hockey League KO16 early in the 2024/25 season.
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