Men's 1st Team Head Coach

Southgate Hockey Club, one of the leading hockey clubs in the UK, is seeking an outstanding and ambitious Head Coach to lead our Men’s 1st Team as we compete in National Division One South for the 2026/27 season.

We are looking for a high-performance coach capable of leading a promotion campaign to the Premier Division,  whilst helping shape the long-term future of performance hockey at Southgate.

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of the country’s most ambitious and well-supported hockey programmes. The successful candidate will take responsibility for the performance, culture, and development of the Men’s 1st Team, with the clear objective of returning the squad to the Premier Division.

We are seeking a coach with strong technical and tactical expertise, proven leadership qualities, and the ability to create a demanding, positive, and high-performing environment. The role requires close collaboration with the Director of Hockey, wider coaching group, and club leadership to ensure alignment across the entire men’s performance pathway.

The role is paid, with remuneration to be discussed and agreed upon appointment.

About Southgate Men’s Hockey
Southgate Men’s Hockey is a thriving and ambitious section of the club, currently fielding seven senior teams alongside two Masters sides. Our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd XIs form an integrated performance programme designed to develop players capable of competing at the highest level of English hockey.

Our objectives are to:

Re-establish the Men’s 1st Team in the Premier Division.
Sustain multiple teams competing within the National League structure.
Develop the Men’s 3rd XI as a leading performance and development environment in London hockey.
Build a strong internal pathway that enables junior players to progress through the club into senior National League and Premier Division hockey.
The Men’s 1st Team Head Coach will play a central role in delivering these objectives by driving elite performance standards, developing homegrown talent, and creating an environment where ambitious players can thrive.

Key Responsibilities
Lead and deliver a high-performance programme for the Men’s 1st Team, including planning and delivery of training sessions, match preparation, analysis, and season planning.
Create and implement a clear playing philosophy and tactical identity aligned with the club’s ambitions.
Lead the squad through a competitive National Division One South campaign with the objective of securing promotion to the Premier Division.
Foster a demanding, accountable, and positive team culture that drives continuous improvement and high standards.
Work collaboratively with the Director of Hockey and wider coaching team to ensure alignment across the men’s performance structure.
Support player recruitment and retention strategies where appropriate.
Develop and mentor emerging players within the club’s pathway, supporting progression from junior and lower senior teams into the 1st XI environment.
Provide regular feedback, performance review, and individual development support to players.
Performance Support
The successful candidate will need to manage and lead an Assistant Coach, Team Manager, and Physiotherapist, and will be expected to access a range of performance support resources including:

Hudl video analysis facilities
GPS athlete monitoring
Strength & Conditioning support for players
Key Requirements
Proven experience coaching high-performance hockey, ideally within the National League, Premier Division, or equivalent elite environment.
Strong tactical understanding of the modern game and experience implementing successful performance programmes.
Demonstrated ability to lead ambitious squads and build high-performance cultures.
Experience developing talented young players within a performance pathway.
Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills.
England Hockey Level 2 qualification or higher (or equivalent).
Availability to commit to twice-weekly evening training sessions, matchdays, pre-season preparation, and occasional club events.
Why Southgate Hockey Club?
Southgate Hockey Club is recognised for its outstanding facilities, ambitious culture, and commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, inclusive, and forward-thinking club with a rich history and a clear vision for the future.

This role offers the opportunity to work within a highly ambitious performance environment with strong club support, talented players, and a clear objective of returning to the Premier Division.