England: Players in limbo while executive jobs remain unfilled
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| England |
October 29, 2004 
The Times, UK
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By Cathy Harris
THE action in the womens national league resumes this weekend but some of the top players are still undecided as to whether to continue their international careers. In the wake of the resignation of Tricia Heberle, the England and Great Britain coach, after Britains failure to qualify for the Athens Olympics, several players are waiting to see who will be appointed.
It is a similar situation in the mens game and with the post of chief performance officer (CPO) and both England men and womens coaching jobs up for grabs, Philip Kimberley, executive chairman of England Hockey, is keen to fill the posts urgently.
Were creating a new leadership role in the performance unit, and the CPO will combine two jobs in the present World Class Hockey unit, he said. We will only make an offer to the right person. As to the England coaching roles, we have interviews scheduled.
Kimberley admitted that the issue of funding remains a priority. We need to secure funding from Sport England for the next four years as well as ensure strong and decisive leadership, he said.
Leisa King, the Ipswich and Great Britain striker, is one player who has yet to commit to the future and while several experienced campaigners in Mel Clewlow, Hilary Rose and Mandy Nicholson have announced their retirements, Rachel Walker, Helen Grant and Fiona Greenham are among those undecided.
King is a key player in the Ipswich team that meets Canterbury, the unbeaten leaders, today. Sandie Lister, the former England captain and Ipswich coach, said: Weve more points this year (nine) than we managed all of last season. I know how strong Canterbury are but our internationals, Beccy Duggan and Cathy Gilliat-Smith, are in good form. The match will also be a huge learning experience for our three schoolgirls, Amy Tippen, Vanessa Roberts and Charlie Anderson.
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