Derek Forsyth appointed head coach of Scotland Senior Men

Scottish Hockey is delighted to confirm that Derek
Forsyth has been appointed as the head coach of Scotland Senior
Men.
He steps up from his position as head coach of the
U21 Men’s side to take charge of the senior squad following Russell
Garcia’s decision to step down from the position last year.
Looking forward to the challenges ahead, Forsyth
said:
“I want to reinforce the winning mentality of the
squad. I have been fortunate to have been an integral part of the
set-up as assistant coach for a number of years and will use this
experience to take the team forward towards an important period for
the senior men.”
“The squad has a good blend of youth and
experienced players, who have a strong work ethic and developed a
greater understanding of what is required to succeed.  Many of
the players have enjoyed success at club or junior international
level and are hungry for further achievement. This gives me a sound
basis for taking things forward and ultimately striving to compete
with the best.”
Robert Heatly, Scottish Hockey Chief Executive,
said:
“Derek’s promotion to the head coach role is
significant as we are making an investment in the appointment of
one of the most successful coaches from Scotland. This should be
seen as part of Scottish Hockey’s commitment to the continuing
development of high performance coaches in this country.”
Having assisted former head coach Russell Garcia
during Scotland’s European and FIH competition campaigns last
summer, Forsyth has familiar knowledge of this group of players,
many of whom he has also worked with during his [previous role as
coach of Scottish club champions Glynhill Hotel Kelburne.
Callum McLeod, Scottish Hockey’s Performance
Manager, said:
“I’m delighted Derek has taken up the post of the
Senior Men’s Head Coach.  He is Scotland’s most experienced
and successful coach having led Kelburne to ten National League
titles and five Scottish Cups, and most recently with the Scotland
U21 Men who achieved promotion at the EuroHockey Junior Nations
Championship II last summer. He was a natural choice.”
“He has proven consistently that he is a winner,
with his drive and determination transferring to the players’
performances on the pitch.  As assistant coach to the Senior
Men for a number of years he will be able to implement his own
ideas very quickly.”
The FIH World League I will be Forsyth’s first
foray into international competition in his new role this season,
before the Scots look forward to two important years of top level
hockey in 2013 and 2014, as McLeod was keen to highlight:
“The primary target is to achieve promotion to the
EuroHockey Nations Championship when we compete in the second
division next summer. They have not achieved promotion since
Leipzig in 2005 but this is vital for our progression at
international level. A successful European campaign would also
establish an excellent foundation for building towards an exciting
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where we aim to be competitive with
the top nations.”

Scottish Hockey is delighted to confirm that Derek
Forsyth has been appointed as the head coach of Scotland Senior
Men.

He steps up from his position as head coach of the U21 Men’s
side to take charge of the senior squad following Russell Garcia’s
decision to step down from the position last year.

Looking forward to the challenges ahead, Forsyth said:

“I want to reinforce the winning mentality of the squad. I have
been fortunate to have been an integral part of the set-up as
assistant coach for a number of years and will use this experience
to take the team forward towards an important period for the senior
men.”

“The squad has a good blend of youth and experienced players,
who have a strong work ethic and developed a greater understanding
of what is required to succeed.  Many of the players have
enjoyed success at club or junior international level and are
hungry for further achievement. This gives me a sound basis for
taking things forward and ultimately striving to compete with the
best.”

Robert Heatly, Scottish Hockey Chief Executive, said:

“Derek’s promotion to the head coach role is significant as we
are making an investment in the appointment of one of the most
successful coaches from Scotland. This should be seen as part of
Scottish Hockey’s commitment to the continuing development of high
performance coaches in this country.”

Having assisted former head coach Russell Garcia during
Scotland’s European and FIH competition campaigns last summer,
Forsyth has familiar knowledge of this group of players, many of
whom he has also worked with during his [previous role as coach of
Scottish club champions Glynhill Hotel Kelburne.

Callum McLeod, Scottish Hockey’s Performance Manager, said:

“I’m delighted Derek has taken up the post of the Senior Men’s
Head Coach.  He is Scotland’s most experienced and successful
coach having led Kelburne to ten National League titles and five
Scottish Cups, and most recently with the Scotland U21 Men who
achieved promotion at the EuroHockey Junior Nations Championship II
last summer. He was a natural choice.”

“He has proven consistently that he is a winner, with his drive
and determination transferring to the players’ performances on the
pitch.  As assistant coach to the Senior Men for a number of
years he will be able to implement his own ideas very quickly.”

The FIH World League I will be Forsyth’s first foray into
international competition in his new role this season, before the
Scots look forward to two important years of top level hockey in
2013 and 2014, as McLeod was keen to highlight:

“The primary target is to achieve promotion to the EuroHockey
Nations Championship when we compete in the second division next
summer. They have not achieved promotion since Leipzig in 2005 but
this is vital for our progression at international level. A
successful European campaign would also establish an excellent
foundation for building towards an exciting Commonwealth Games in
Glasgow where we aim to be competitive with the top nations.”

Recruitment for the Scotland U21 Men’s vacancy will commence
shortly.

 

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