Ian Haley, a former South African field hockey Olympian, is embarking on a new journey as he joins King’s College in Taunton this September as the school’s director of hockey. After competing at the highest level during the 2012 London Olympics, Ian is now focused on nurturing young talent and elevating the sport within the school community.
With extensive coaching experience, including leading the Welsh Senior Men’s and U21 teams, Ian expressed his enthusiasm about the new role: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining King’s College, Taunton. Hockey at King’s already boasts a strong reputation, and I look forward to building on that by introducing fresh ideas to further enhance the programme. My goal is to foster a love of hockey throughout the school while supporting talented players to reach elite competitive levels.”
King’s College is a prestigious independent school catering to students aged two to eighteen. It boasts a proud tradition of producing successful athletes among its alumni, including notable cricketers like Neil Brand, Jos Buttler, and Tom Banton. Beyond sports, the school counts prominent figures such as Dominic Wood, Welsh rugby player Matthew Robinson, actress Juno Temple, and Nobel laureate Antony Hewish among its former pupils.
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In his new position, Ian will oversee the hockey programme across both the preparatory and junior schools. He will collaborate closely with Clare Hayes, the Head of Performance Hockey at King’s College, to continue advancing the quality of hockey coaching and development.
Phil Lewis, King’s College’s Director of Sport, praised the appointment: “I have known Ian for some time, and his proven ability to develop players and foster positive sporting environments made him the ideal choice for this role. This appointment is an exciting milestone not only for King’s but also for hockey across the region. Ian’s leadership will build on the excellent foundation already established by Clare Hayes, continuing our tradition of nurturing talented players of all abilities.”
Ian Haley’s transition from Olympian to educator and coach highlights his commitment to inspiring the next generation of athletes, ensuring that King’s College remains a beacon of sporting excellence in Somerset.