Old Georgians Hockey Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Leah Wilkinson as the new Assistant Coach for the Ladies 1s team.
Leah, a former Great Britain and Wales field hockey player, has recently retired from an illustrious playing career and leaves Surbiton HC to join us.
Leah's career is nothing short of extraordinary. She holds the record as Wales' most capped athlete across any sport, having represented Wales and Great Britain a remarkable 204 times. Her international journey began in 2004, and over nearly two decades, she became a cornerstone of Welsh and British hockey. Leah captained the Wales team since 2018 and played in four Commonwealth Games and numerous European Championships. She also achieved the pinnacle of her career by winning an Olympic bronze medal with Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Announcing her retirement on Instagram, Leah reflected on her love for hockey from the age of five and her gratitude for a career that surpassed her childhood dreams. She expressed her pride in her numerous achievements, including three European titles, five league titles, and several personal accolades, like being voted UK Female Hockey Player of the Year in 2022 and Welsh Hockey Female Player of the Year three times. Leah also cherished being inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, a testament to her outstanding contributions to the sport.
On joining Old Georgians, Leah said, "I am delighted to be joining OGs as assistant coach for the ladies 1s. I have worked and played alongside Leigh and I am looking forward to working with her again in the upcoming season. It was really important to me as I transition from playing to coaching that I picked the right club, and OGs are just that! I can’t wait to get started now with this exciting group of talented women and I am looking forward to being part of the team’s journey."
Director of Hockey and Ladies 1's Head Coach, Leigh Maasdorp, shared her excitement: "I am delighted to welcome Leah to the Old Georgian family. Leah brings plenty of experience, and I am really looking forward to working with her again."
We at Old Georgians are thrilled to have Leah Wilkinson on board and look forward to a successful season ahead under her guidance. Her experience, passion, and dedication will undoubtedly inspire and elevate our team to new heights.