Talent Academy - Meet the team

Find out about the Talent Academy coaching team and committee.

Our Talent Academy Coaches

Chris White - Head Coach
Chris has joined the University coaching staff following 9 months in Japan and Australia. Prior to this Chris was the Hockey and Cricket Coach at Kings Bruton, where he was also a student, under the tutelage of Ben Dudley. Chris also played for the University of Bristol Mens Hockey Club as a non student player in our England Hockey league team, thus Chris already has a long association with Bristol and has already played a big part in the work that has been put in place by Ben.
Martin Hicks - Lead Coach (Girls)
Martin joined Bristol in August 2021 and acts as a Coach within the University Performance Hockey Programme, across both Mens and Ladies Squads. Martin has been part of the Coaching team for the University of Bristol Mens 1st team in their first season in England Hockey Division One (South) for the 2022/23 Campaign alongside leading the 2nd XI and supporting the University of Bristol Ladies 1st and 2nd XI’s. Prior to joining Bristol, Martin has almost 10 years coaching experience at various levels and age groups.
Duncan Armsby - Assistant Coach (Boys)
Duncan brings more than 18 years of successful coaching at club and school hockey with local club Westberries Ladies Hockey Club and Redmaids' High Girls School, as well as experience of working with Avon County boys U16 and U17 age groups. Duncan has recently completed his GB Hockey Advanced Coach Programme accreditation and also brings his extensive experience as a teacher to our team. Duncan will work primarily with the boys programme for this season.
George Nicholls - Assistant Coach (Girls)
Having grown up in Bristol, George has recently been through the  Bristol Performance Centre, DiSE and Futures Cup process himself prior to attending and graduating Birmingham University with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. George has captained and coached teams from a young age with Avon County and with TBB and continued this whilst at University of Birmingham; playing and Captaining his National league team alongside coaching and acting as Club Chairman. George has recently taken up coaching roles at Clifton College and Clifton Robinsons HC. George will work with the girls programme.

Our Committee

The University of Bristol Hockey Talent Academy shall be led and administered by a management committee consisting of:

Chris White - Head of Hockey
Martin Hicks - Talent Academy Lead Coach (Girls)
Valerie Shipsey - Talent Academy Manager Welfare Officer
Hannah Hicks - Talent Academy Manager and Welfare Officer
Amanda Richardson (maternity cover for Emma Ascott) - Talent Academy Administrator
Russell Earnshaw - Talent Academy Independent Advisor
Jon Bower - Talent Academy Independent Advisor

The Talent Academy Management Committee shall be responsible for all aspects of the Talent Academy in line with the vision and purpose (outlined on About us page), with a particular focus on the Welfare and development of participants.

The Talent Academy Management Committee shall be responsible for creating the culture to support individuals in line with the University of Bristol, the University of Bristol Hockey Club and the Bristol Hockey Talent Academy vision and principles. Meetings will take place six times per year.

The University of Bristol has chosen individuals according to their skills and experience in running successful hockey programmes at the University of Bristol, in school, in clubs and in Junior Academy environments. The Talent Academy Lead Coaches have significant experience in the previous England Hockey Talent Systems.

(Voluntary) Independent Talent Academy Committee members have been appointed according to experience in other Talent Development environments with the aim of maintaining independence from the organisation and day to day leadership team with the ability to challenge processes and delivery where appropriate.

The Dispute process shall be undertaken through the Talent Academy Management Committee Chaired by the Talent Academy Lead. For any disputes involving the Talent Academy Lead, investigations and meetings shall be Chaired by the University of Bristol Head Coach and/or an Independent Talent Academy Committee Member. Any matter of a welfare nature shall be referred to England Hockey Welfare Officer as appropriate.

Got a question?

If you would like more information, please e-mail us.