Danny Newcombe - Director of Hockey & Men’s Head Coach
Danny will continue as Men’s Performance Programme Lead and combine with a new role created with a clear aim to align our Performance programmes. The new element of the role is to provide strategic direction, leadership and oversight of both the men’s and women’s performance programmes to create a 'One Club' mentality. Build and develop a culture of excellence and innovation, putting Reading Hockey Club back on a sustainable path to the top. Being a credible place for talented players to excel, talented coaches to excel, and talented juniors to develop.

Danny will continue to lead the Coach Development programme, and is currently planning its development and expansion.

Jason Lee - Men’s Performance Coach
Jason will continue to work alongside Danny assisting with the men’s performance group. Jason brings with him an abundance of knowledge and insight of the game and is a valuable asset to all of the performance group.

Martin Schouten – Men’s Performance Coach and Assistant Head of Talent Development
Martin is originally from South Africa, with a wealth of coaching experience including most recently at Teddington Hockey Club. Martin will join the Men’s Performance group, assisting Danny and Jason, and will run the Men’s 2s and Boys U16/18 Age-Groups. This will provide a key development link for talented juniors. The other key part of his role will be to assist Chris Gittens in developing our Colts. Martin will be involved across the board and we will see him on the pitch as much as possible.

Ladies

Jo Ellis-Day - Ladies Performance Lead
Jo will continue as Ladies Performance Programme lead for the upcoming season. This will be Jo’s third season as player/coach for the Ladies and will be looking to build in last seasons 2nd place finish and go one step further this season.

Soma Singh - Ladies Performance Coach
Soma will be joining the Ladies Performance Programme for the upcoming season assisting Jo with the first XI. Soma has a wealth of playing and coaching experience. He was capped 189 times for England and Great Britain, and represented GB at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Since retiring Soma has coached at Hampstead & Westminster, Richmond, Old Georgians and Alton, and is currently Director of Sport at Lord Wandsworth School.
Soma has been a regular for Reading’s successful veterans side in recent years, and we are delighted he has agreed to work with our Ladies Performance Squad.

Chris Gittens - Ladies Performance Coach & Head of Talent Development
Chris again will be part of the Ladies Performance Programme but in a slightly different role this season. Whilst assisting Jo and Soma, Chris will run the Ladies 2s alongside his role as Head of Colts Coaching and Talent Development providing a key link for talented juniors.

We wish them all the very best for the upcoming season