London Wayfarers Hockey Club is delighted to announce the appointment of former New Zealand Black Stick, Nick Elder, as Men’s 1st XI Head Coach.
Nick will join the Club as a player/coach and brings a wealth of experience, having played at an elite level for over 10 years, including as a player/coach for his club team in New Zealand for six of those.
Nick takes over from Phil Ball who left the club after six years to spend more time with his young family. During his tenure Phil guided the Men’s 1st team to the national league for the very first time and leaves us in a great place, with the team having just recorded their highest ever league finish. Our thanks go to Phil for his energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
Bringing with him an outstanding hockey pedigree, both as a player and as a coach, Nick will be a huge asset to the club. Director of Hockey, Mark Atherton, notes “We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Nick will be joining our coaching team. Throughout the recruitment process his love of the game and ambition shone through. He shares our vision for the team and for the club, and will be a great fit for London Wayfarers Hockey Club.”
Introducing Nick
Nick Elder joins us from Teddington HC where he played for the Men’s 1st XI in Division 1 South and also coached the Men’s 2nd XI to promotion last season. This followed a successful period with Otago Hockey, with whom he won a national title in New Zealand for their first time in 114 years as an assistant coach.
Nick previously played internationally for New Zealand at Senior and Under 21 level, and cites his participation in the Junior World Cup in 2013 as one many highlights in the famous all black jersey. He also captained the New Zealand U18’s and has over 10 years’ experience playing in the New Zealand National League.
Prior to his arrival in the UK, Nick served as player/coach for North Shore United Premier Men’s team from 2018-23, and coached North Harbour Hockey’s Under 18’s to 2nd and 3rd placed finishes in the National Finals in 2016 and 2017 respectively. He also served as North Harbour Hockey’s Academy Coach from 2015-18.
During this time Nick also completed his Bachelor of Sport Management & Marketing and a gained a Diploma in Sport Management & Exercise Studies.
Testament to his coaching credentials are Coach of the Year awards received from Rangitoto College (2019) and North Shore United Hockey Club (2019), and North Harbour Hockey’s “Outstanding Coaching Award” in 2017. He comes to London Wayfarers with ringing endorsements from former employers, with one commenting, “He had huge amount of respect from his team, as well as other members of the club. He is a great motivator and has enormous hockey awareness in terms of game play strategies.”
“I am excited to be joining an ambitious club like London Wayfarers and to be leading the program for the Men’s 1’s in the very competitive National League East conference. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at the club and helping the team reach its goals this upcoming season.”
We are delighted that Nick has accepted this key role and to be able to announce his appointment. We welcome him London Wayfarers Hockey Club and look forward to working with him.