The European Hockey Federation today announced that Angus Kirkland has been appointed as Director General. He will begin in October 2012, taking over for R. David Balbirnie who stepped down in March.
Kirkland joins the EHF from the Irish Hockey Association, where he was CEO for the past four years. During his time in Irish Hockey he has been responsible for securing and managing sponsorship partnerships. He has acted as lead in many FIH including the recently concluded Olympic Qualifier and the Champions Challenge 1 last June.. He has also been responsible for developing a new training center at the Irish National Sports Campus, Abbotstown and developing a strategic plan (with Coaching Ireland) for coaching hockey in Ireland.
Kirkland has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to sport, both professionally, as a player and as volunteer. Hi background is primarily in squash where he was professional player, securing a career-high World Ranking of 19th in 1995. He went on to serve as Head Squash Professional & Athletic Director at The Harvard Club of Boston. In 2002, he moved to Ireland and served as the General Manager of a Gaelic Club, before going on to be COO of Irish Squash Association. In 2008 he was appointed as CEO of the Irish Hockey Association.
EHF President Marijke Fleuren said: “It is my pleasure to warmly welcome Angus to the EHF. As CEO of Irish Hockey, Angus is already an intrinsic part of the hockey family. With his strong work experience at senior level in a variety of organisations, he is ideally placed to guide the EHF through this new phase in our history and all in the EHF look forward to working with him.”
Kirkland said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Director General of the European Hockey Federation. The role presents both a great opportunity and a challenge and I am very much looking forward to working with all stakeholders in European Hockey over the coming years to help grow and strengthen the game in the region.”
Source: EHF Press Release
