We're excited to welcome back Chris Bowen, who coaches the Men's 1s and 2s, and Will Cooper, who is coaching the Men's 3s to 7s this season after eight years coaching our Ladies 1s.

The Coaching Journey: What Got You into Hockey?

Chris (Men's 1s & 2s Coach)

After my football career didn't pan out, hockey seemed like a natural next step. I wasn't big enough for rugby, especially in South Africa where I grew up, and my focus was also on cricket. I quickly picked up the technical side of hockey and was soon selected for South Africa's U16, U18, and U21 squads. I was even named to the initial training squad for the Beijing Olympics.

After political issues led to my being dropped from the squad, I moved to England. Thanks to a chance encounter and my Welsh heritage, I found myself debuting for Wales three months later. I retired after earning 49 caps and competing in the Euros and World Cup Qualifiers. Throughout my playing career, I coached to earn extra income and discovered I loved it. I'm now a full-time high-performance coach, sports psychology consultant, and entrepreneur, all focused on hockey and other sports.

Will (Men's 3s-7s Coach)

I've always loved sports, but since university, hockey has been my winter sport of choice. I was never the player I wanted to be, but I enjoyed reading the game and found that my day job working with people in difficult situations translated well to coaching. I coached and played for five years at Old Kingstonian before working with talented young players at Imperial College, Surrey, and Kings.

I'm incredibly grateful to Reigate for helping me complete my England Hockey Advanced Coaching Program, which has led me to where I am today. In addition to coaching here, I work for England Hockey as a Coach Developer. This means I deliver workshops and mentor other coaches across the country—it's a dream job that allows me to bring back national-level knowledge and learning to all of you.

Beyond the Pitch: Hobbies and Interests

Chris (Men's 1s & 2s Coach)

I enjoy bodyboarding, surfing, and snowboarding (badly!). I'm also learning to kitesurf and will hack my way around a golf course whenever I have the time.

Will (Men's 3s-7s Coach)

I have a very lively two-year-old who takes up most of my free time! My wife runs a musical theatre company, so we're never short of a song at home. I also love watching any sport on TV, especially cricket, football, and rugby.

Coaching Philosophy: Enjoy the Process

Chris (Men's 1s & 2s Coach)

My main focus is to build on our team's culture and philosophy while smoothly integrating new players. We want to play an attractive, attacking brand of hockey and enjoy the process while always looking for small improvements.

Will (Men's 3s-7s Coach)

I want players to focus on playing with a plan, communicating effectively, and understanding their roles on the pitch. Most importantly, I want people to enjoy themselves and want to come back the next week. Team sports let you become a superhero for a couple of hours.

One Piece of Advice: Don't Take it Too Seriously

Chris (Men's 1s & 2s Coach)

My ultimate coaching tip is to focus on technical skills. They are the foundation of the game. Practice them as much as possible, especially when you're starting out, and always be open to learning and developing.

Will (Men's 3s-7s Coach)

We're running around on artificial grass with a curly stick after a plastic ball.

If you're taking it too seriously, maybe ask yourself why!