James continues at Sheffield Talent Academy as Coach Mentor this year, bringing 20+ years of coaching experience across men's, women's, and junior hockey. He is currently Ladies' Performance Coach and Head Coach of the Women's 1s at Sheffield HC, and Head Coach of Sheffield Hallam Ladies' 1s. A GB advanced coaching credential holder, his CV includes leading Ben Rhydding Ladies into the National League, BUCS league and cup wins with Leeds Beckett, four years with Loughborough's performance squad, and promotion to National League Division One North with Wakefield Ladies. He was previously Head of Hockey at Hill House School.

Lauren Wood - Co-Lead Coach - Girls

Lauren is a Specialist Hockey Coach at Worksop College and Youth Talent Development Lead at SHC. For Sheffield Talent Academy, she now co-leads the Girls' Programme after working last year as GK specialist across both boys' and girls' sides. A current National League player with Beeston with four-plus years in the England Hockey pathway (including EAG and Scotland age groups), she also coaches England's O45 men, guiding them to indoor World Cup and Home Nations gold this year. Lauren holds FIH Level 2 and 3, sits on GB ACP Cohort 11 and EuroHockey's AIYL, and is a qualified S&C coach and Level 3 massage therapist. She also works as a Talent ID recruiter for First Point USA.

Martin Sutherland - Co-Lead Coach - Boys/Open

Martin is Head of Hockey at Silcoates School and continues as Boys Co-Lead Coach for Sheffield Talent Academy, a role he held last year. He brings 15+ years of playing experience in the National League, including the Premier Division, and both plays and coaches at Wakefield Hockey Club. A Level 2 qualified coach, Martin also coaches regularly for Wolf Academy, Byas Academy, and other private coaching providers.

Alex Bell - Co-Lead Coach - Girls & Boys/Open

Alex is Head of Hockey at Pocklington School, bringing 15+ years of coaching experience to the role. He was Head of Education for Sheffield Talent Academy last year and returns this year as a co-lead coach across both the girls' and boys' programmes. Alex is Head Coach of England's O35 Spirit of Masters (SOM) squad, and played National League, BUCS Premier, and England Universities hockey. He holds FIH Level 2, Level 3, and ACP Foundation qualifications.

Henry Down - Coach

Henry was assistant coach to the boys' Talent Academy last year and will now coach across both genders. He has worked with Sheffield Juniors, reaching the national finals with the U16 Boys, and this season coaches Sheffield HC Ladies' 2s and 3s alongside the U14 Boys. A Level 1 qualified coach, Henry played through the PC and Talent Academy framework in the England Player Pathway as a junior. He plays for SHC Men's 2s in the Yorkshire Regional Premier — helping them to promotion last season — and for Sheffield Hallam Men's 1s, where he is Club President this year.

Dan Garlick - Goalkeeper Coach

Dan Garlick joins the programme as goalkeeper coach, bringing a wealth of experience coaching goalkeepers across a wide range of ages and abilities. A current player for Lindum HC, Dan previously played and studied at Sheffield Hallam University, and represented Great Britain at EDP level. His playing background gives him a sharp, modern understanding of the goalkeeping position, which he now brings to developing the next generation of shot-stoppers on the programme.

Alex Davies - Coach

Alex is new to the Talent Academy system this year and joins as a guest coach. He is Head Coach of Sheffield Men's 2s and 3s and Assistant Coach of the Men's 1s, as well as Head Coach of Hallam Men's 1s. As England O45 Men's Head Coach, Alex won indoor World Cup and Home Nations gold plus outdoor World Cup bronze this year alone. He previously led Nottingham University Ladies' 2s to promotion in the Midlands Regional Premier, coaches regularly for MT13, and provides goalkeeper coaching at Sheffield HC.

Dylan Lim Hon - Physiotherapist & S&C Lead

Dylan is a qualified physiotherapist with experience working in performance environments. A former Beeston HC Men's 1s player in the Premier League, he now captains in the National League and is involved in coaching Sheffield HC Men's 1s. Dylan coaches 1-2-1 and small group sessions, and was Talent Academy's Physio and S&C Coach last cycle — a role he continues this year, alongside coaching duties when required.

Thomas Ridsdale - Assistant Coach

Thomas joins Sheffield Talent Academy this year as a new Assistant Coach. He previously coached for Lansdown HC and the Gloucestershire Hockey Association, leading Lansdown's U12 Boys to 7th in the West and earning consideration for Coach of the Year at the 2026 end-of-season dinner. On the pitch, Thomas captained Gloucestershire Hockey in 2024–25, played four years of 1st team hockey at Lansdown, and picked up their Coaches' Player of the Year twice and Young Player of the Year once. FIH Level 1 qualified, he is currently studying at the University of Sheffield and coaching in the SHC’s junior section.

Harvey Amos - Assistant Coach

Harvey is an ambitious young coach, England Hockey Level 1 and 2 qualified, with four years' experience coaching both adults and youth at Sheffield HC as well as multiple teams at Sheffield Hallam. A prolific goal scorer for SHC Men's 1s in the North Conference over four-plus National League seasons, he's now a hockey scholar at Nottingham Trent University, playing in their Men's 1s across BUCS Premier and Conference Midlands. Harvey spent years in the England Hockey player pathway and had England trials. He was an assistant coach for the Talent Academy last year and returns as a regular guest coach this year.

The Sheffield Talent Academy will also make regular use of guest/specialist coaches throughout the 2026/27 TA Cycle to support and enhance the quality and richness of both our on-pitch and off-pitch programmes.