Text of England Hockey's Press Release:
England Hockey is delighted
to announce that Jason Lee has been appointed to the role of Head Coach of the
England women’s team. Lee, 42, has led the England and Great Britain men’s
hockey teams as Head Coach for three Olympic cycles.
After nearly a decade in the
role, England Hockey felt that the men’s programme needed fresh leadership and
made the decision not to reappoint Lee for the 2013-2016 cycle.
Having applied for the
position of women’s Head Coach, and following an extensive recruitment process
that drew interest from applicants from across the globe, he was identified as
the best candidate.
Sally Munday, England Hockey
Chief Executive, explained: “Jason’s wealth of experience is extremely valuable
to England Hockey and whilst we feel that the men’s programme needs a change of
leadership I was delighted that he applied for the role of women’s Head Coach.
There was a strong field of candidates and the appointment panel felt that
Jason was uniquely placed with his extensive international experience to take
the women to the next level in our quest for higher podium finishes.”
Speaking after being
appointed, Lee said: “The new challenge of coaching the women’s team is indeed
an exciting one. They have achieved an exceptionally high standard of
commitment and performance and I hope to be able to help them to win more
medals, with the World Cup qualification and the EuroHockey Nations
Championships this year being the first targets.
“I’ve had a long and
emotional time in charge of the men’s team and I leave it with many great
memories. I will miss not being in the men’s programme but am confident that
they will be successful and wish the team the very best of luck.”
Danny Kerry, England Hockey
Performance Director, said: “I¹m extremely pleased that we have retained the
expertise and vision that Jason brings to our programmes. His vast experience
working at the top level of international sport will put us in a great position
to continue the progress made in recent years. I believe Jason has the ability
to take the women¹s programme further on, continuing to medal at major
tournaments and progress the team’s play. Jason knows what it takes to win gold
having led the England men to their first European Championship title in 2009
and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”
As Head Coach of the women’s
programme, Lee will be responsible for the selection, preparation, coaching and
performance of the England and GB teams and senior national squad, and the
teams’ results in international competitions. The position will see the former
Loughborough Students coach lead the programme for the 2013-2016 Olympic cycle
taking in the 2013 and 2015 European Championships, the World Cup and Commonwealth
Games in 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
During nearly a decade in
charge of the men’s programme Lee led England from 11th in the International
Hockey Federation’s world rankings to its current position of fourth. In 2009,
under his leadership England won the European Championships for the first time
before going on to take the silver medal at the Champions Trophy the following
year, a best ever world level result for England. Another European medal –
bronze - followed in 2011. As Head Coach of Great Britain, he led the men’s
team at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games where GB narrowly missed out on a
podium finish, losing out to World Champions Australia in the bronze medal
match.
Prior to becoming England
men’s Head Coach, Lee took Loughborough Students from the bottom of the
Midlands league to the top end of the National Premier League, leaving the
Students after finishing runners-up to Reading in the 2003 final. He also
served as Assistant Coach to the national men’s and women’s squads during this
time.
As a player, Lee competed
for GB at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games and for England at the 1998 World
Cup. After making his senior international debut at the age of 19, he went on
to make 87 appearances before retiring following the 1998 World Cup.
At club level, his playing
career took him from Old Bordenians, through spells with Beckenham, East
Grinstead, Old Loughtonians, Cannock and Loughborough Students. He still
occasionally turns out for his local hockey club.
The recruitment process to
appoint a new Head Coach for the England and Great Britain men’s squads will
commence immediately. Lee will take up his role with the women’s squad once a
new men’s Head Coach has been confirmed.
England’s women’s squad is
currently in Cape Town competing in the Investec Challenge. The team’s first
match is against South Africa at 18:00 GMT tonight. Karen Brown is leading the
team at the tournament, which also features the Netherlands and Australia.
