Field Hockey Canada is delighted to welcome Mathias Ahrens to the technical leadership team as the new Men’s Junior National Team Head Coach. Building on the tremendous work and leadership over the past year by Head Coach Aaron Guest, Assistant Coach Indy Sehmbi and Team Manager Alvin Bissett, Ahrens will guide the Junior Men toward the 2013 Junior World Cup and support the implementation of Canada’s extensive talent expansion strategy.
Ahrens’ significant international leadership experience is anchored by his work as Great Britain’s Assistant Coach during the 2004 Olympic Games and as Scotland’s Head Coach. During his eight year career in Scotland, Ahrens led the Scottish Men’s Program through a number of major competitions, including the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
“In Canada, we are building a system for winning,” says Alan Brahmst, Canada’s Director of Performance Strategy and National Teams. “It starts with implementing a performance architecture that has the capacity to deliver sustainable growth for our sport. As we look toward the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, Mathias will be a core contributor to FHC’s objective of consistent world-class talent development.’
“Mathias’ knowledge in program building and technical curriculum development will support our plans, and his background will complement our recent hiring of Australia’s Anthony Farry as the Senior Men’s Assistant Coach.”
Ahrens began his international field hockey career as a goalkeeper for Germany’s U18 National Team in 1980. He went on to coach professionally in Germany, then moving into the international arena. In the 90s, Ahrens was the Head Coach of current German Champion, Club an der Alster. Most recently, Mathias has been the Head Coach of the Dürkheimer Hockey Club in Germany.
“It’s exciting for me to be part of a long-term vision which is supported by a comprehensive strategy,” says Ahrens. “I look forward to leading the Canadian Men’s Junior Program and working closely with Robin D’Abreo and the other coaches to realize the opportunities for the Men’s Program.”
The new Head Coach will join the MJNT in San Diego this week as they take on the USA in a four-match Test Series. Ahrens will officially assume his new role in February – and move his family to Vancouver, BC.
Mathias has a wife, Susan, and two young sons, Lewis and Jamie. Susan is known as one of Scotland’s greatest hockey players and is also an experienced international coach. She played 160 caps for Scotland, and went on to play at the top club level in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.
