Neil Allan Shortlisted for Coach of the Year

It’s with immense pride that we announce that Neil Allan, Head Coach of the Edinburgh University Men’s 1st XI, has been shortlisted for the Edinburgh University Sports Union Coach of the Year Award — a well-deserved recognition of a truly exceptional season.

Under Neil’s leadership, the 1XI enjoyed a historic, unbeaten BUCS campaign, dominating the BUCS Premier North before winning the playoff fixture against Cardiff Met to seal promotion to the BUCS National Premier Division — the highest level of university hockey in the country. The side went on to lift the National Vase at Big BUCS Wednesday, after a dramatic 3–3 draw was settled by shootouts.

Domestically, Neil guided the 1s to their first-ever Scottish Cup triumph, defeating Hillhead in the final — a landmark achievement that made the team the first men's university side in history to lift the trophy. This victory secured a historic domestic and university double.

Beyond silverware, Neil has been instrumental in developing elite-level talent, with five players earning senior international caps for Scotland this season — a testament to the high-performance environment he has built.

Neil’s influence extends to the international stage as well. As Assistant Coach of the Scotland Men’s National Team, he helped the squad achieve victory in the FIH Nations Cup 2, a major milestone in Scotland’s global ambitions.

Neil’s relentless pursuit of excellence, tactical innovation, and deep investment in player development have left an indelible mark on the club. His leadership has not only brought success on the field but has set new standards for what can be achieved within student sport.

Congratulations Neil — a coach who’s rewriting the script for university hockey, one historic milestone at a time.