Hockey India appoints South African Gregg Clark as junior hockey team coach

New Delhi, April 7, 2013: Hockey India on Sunday announced the appointment of Gregg Clark as the coach of the junior men national hockey team.

Hockey India secretary General Dr Narinder Batra said that the appointment of Gregg Clark is an important step ahead of the Junior World Cup to be played in India at the end of this year.

“Being the hosts of the Junior World Cup I think this is the best opportunity for India to achieve a top 3 finish in the most prestigious Junior Men Hockey Tournament. We are confident that under the guidance of Gregg Clark and Baljeet Saini the Indian team will be well prepared for this mega event” he said.

“Hockey India has been looking for a candidate that not only has the experience of making players tactically and mentally stronger, but who can also consolidate the final preparations of the team. We are confident that Gregg Clark will provide a significant contribution to the existing coaching team for the junior men.” said Dr Batra.

Gregg Clark who is very excited to take on this new assignment as the coach of the junior national team said India has rich talent in hockey and the team has enormous potential ahead of the World Cup.

“I have been to India many times and after coaching Ranchi Rhinos in the inaugural season of Hero Hockey India League, I can say that Indian Hockey has very bright future. I look forward to working again with Baljeet Saini, who along with the other coaching staff members have done a great job with the team to date.” he further added.

Gregg Clark coached the national side of South Africa for 7 years and during this tenure his team has played 120 internationals including two Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012, World Cup 2010 and Commonwealth Games 2010.

As a player Gregg Clark has over 250 international caps and has represented South Africa in two World Cups in Sydney 1994 and Kuala Lumpur 2002, two Olympic Games, in Atlanta 1998 and Athens 2004, two Commonwealth Games, in Kuala Lumpur 1998 and Manchester 2002 and three All Africa Games in 1995, 1999 and 2003.

Clark will commence his assignment in India from April 12, 2013.

Press release