NSW Pride Confirm 2025 Hockey One Coaches

Hockey NSW is delighted to announce the re-appointments of Scott Barker and Kieran Govers as Head Coaches of the NSW Pride teams for the 2025 Hockey One season.

Barker will enter into his third year as Head Coach of the NSW Pride Women’s team on the back of an impressive bronze medal-winning season in 2024. Govers, will take the reins of the NSW Pride Men’s team outright after sharing the role in 2024 with Roel van Maastrigt.

With the exception of van Maastrigt, the Pride coaching staff remains unchanged from last year, with Matt Wark continuing as Men’s Assistant Coach and Nigel Croke continuing as Women’s Assistant Coach.

Hockey NSW CEO Matt Bulkeley said continuity within the coaching group was important for both playing squads as they build towards challenging for Gold medals in 2025.

“Scott Barker has done a brilliant job fostering the young group in the Women’s team since 2023, and they look set to make another step up after winning Bronze last season,” he said.

“Kieran Govers is obviously an incredibly-credentialed former international star with a long history with hockey in NSW. Extending his appointment with the Men’s team gives them a great platform to build on for the upcoming season.” 

Women’s Head Coach Scott Barker said he’s expecting the core squad to continue their progression together, but that there will be opportunities for younger players to make their case and push their way into the Pride.

“I’m really excited to have our returning Hockeyroos as part of the NSW Pride squad again,” he said.

“We want to create a better and more competitive training environment for the Pride, so we’ll be encouraging younger developing athletes to put their best foot forward and push our top level Hockeyroos.”

Barker said he is preparing the team to take the next step and challenge for the Gold medal in 2025.

“Anytime NSW competes we’re looking to win. We’ve got strong depth in the squad and we think winning Hockey One is achievable with this group,” he said.

Men’s Head Coach Kieran Govers said he was excited to be continuing in the role and wants the Pride to honour the past while showcasing what the future holds, bringing back a love for the jersey and representing NSW.

“We want a good core group back together to nurture our next generation. That will bring the competitive nature back into the group and onto the pitch for Hockey One. The group will be awesome to be around and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

Looking forward to squad selections in the coming months, Govers said it will be quite an open and competitive process, with one eye on the local competitions and NSW Field State Championships as an avenue for athletes to stand out and fight for selection.

“I would love nothing more than to have the current Kookaburras back in the squad with all the senior players that have played at this level. We’re keeping an open eye on who we have here in NSW as well, so it’s going to be an exciting next few months,” he said. 

Announcements on the schedule, venues and squad selections will be coming in the next following months.