Club Restructure

As we prepare for the 2025/26 season, Edinburgh University Men’s Hockey Club is launching its most transformative structural and coaching overhaul to date — the “Nelly-Greaves EUMHC Revitalisation Plan.” Led by Club President Freddie Kelly-Greaves and Neil Allan, Scotland Senior Men’s Assistant Coach and now EUMHC’s Head of Performance, this ambitious shift is designed to elevate the club’s on-field performance, off-field cohesion, and long-term sustainability.

With over 130 active players expected, our goal is to provide an inclusive, competitive, and aspirational environment for everyone, whether you're chasing national team honours, competing for fun, or just starting your hockey journey.

Why We’re Restructuring

After a season of player feedback and structural analysis, it became clear that our traditional team-based model (1XI–7XI), while once effective, now restricts mobility and consistency. The over-reliance on student coaches, persistent availability issues in lower teams, and coaching inequalities across the club highlighted a need for renewal.

The decision to remove the 7XI and move to a four-squad model reflects a desire to prioritise quality over quantity, create clearer pathways, and reduce fixture forfeits while still fielding seven competitive BUCS and Saturday league teams. This shift allows us to better support coaching standards, integrate development across teams, and ensure every player feels part of something bigger.

A New Coaching Vision

In tandem with the new club structure, EUMHC is also introducing a completely new coaching framework. With the exception of our Beginner Development Squad, all squads will now be led by non-student coaches.

While we are deeply grateful to our past student coaches, it has become apparent that a student-led model can no longer meet the club’s performance expectations. Going forward, coaching roles will:

• Be paid at a more competitive salary

• Require nationally recognised qualifications

• Be focused on long-term development goals

This professionalised approach will ensure each player receives expert guidance, particularly in the Club and Development environments, where coaching consistency has historically varied.

Meet the 2025/26 Squads & Coaches

Performance Squad

• Teams: 1XI & top of 2XI

• Players: ~25

• Head Coach: Neil Allan (Scotland Senior Men’s Assistant Coach; founder of Complete Hockey Coaching)

• Assistant Coaches: Martin Beckford & Neil Wilson

  Our elite player group, competing in the BUCS National Premier and Scottish Premiership, this squad features players with international ambitions and a hunger for excellence. The coaching team remains unchanged, their impact has been outstanding, and we’re proud to have continuity at the top.

• Focus: Tactical excellence, elite-level performance

• Commitment: High - mirroring top university and national programmes

Performance Development Squad

• Teams: Rest of 2XI & 3XI

• Players: ~30

• Head Coach: Recruitment ongoing

• Assistant Coach: Recruitment ongoing

This squad is the development bridge into the top flight. The PD Head Coach will serve as the 2XI matchday coach, while the PD Assistant will lead the 3XI on matchdays. Both will work closely with the Performance staff to create a cohesive performance pathway.

• Focus: Technical refinement, tactical maturity

• Commitment: High - ideal for upwardly mobile players

Know someone suitable? Coaching roles are open now. Visit our vacancies page ➝

Club Hockey Squad

• Teams: 4XI & 5XI

• Players: ~40

• Head Coach: Jamie Golden (Scotland Senior Men, ex-GB U21)

Our Club Hockey environment champions competitive university hockey with a social and flexible ethos. It’s perfect for those balancing other university commitments while still pushing to win on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Many long-term members continue here for the love of the game and community.

• Focus: Competitive league play, skill growth, social cohesion

• Commitment: Moderate - ideal for balancing sport and university life

Beginner Development Squad

• Teams: 6XI

• Players: 30+

• Coaches: Senior 1XI players

For those new to hockey, this squad offers a welcoming, supportive entry point. Coached by experienced 1XI players, beginners will be guided through the basics, gain confidence, and potentially move into Club Hockey during the season.

• Focus: Core skills, enjoyment, confidence-building

• Commitment: Open and flexible - your hockey journey starts here

Why This Matters

This is more than just a restructuring. It's a reset.

• Player Pathways are now clearly mapped; from beginner to international.

• Team silos are gone, replaced with training squads aligned by potential and ambition.

• Coaching quality is standardised, with professional benchmarks across squads.

• Matchday strength and depth will improve with fewer forfeits and better availability.

• Club cohesion will flourish as all 130+ players feel connected, supported, and inspired.

As a club, we are proud of our size, depth, and culture, and we believe this structure allows every player, no matter their ability or ambition, to find their place and thrive. We’ll share further announcements on coaching appointments and pre-season soon, but for now, we’re excited to get to work on building something that lasts.

If you have any questions, please direct them to Club President, Freddie Kelly-Greaves, at president@mens.euhc.co.uk.