Emma & Nick Bandurak sign for EG

Emma and Nick Bandurak have joined East Grinstead Hockey Club, for the 2024 / 2025 season.  Click through to learn more...

We are delighted to share the news that Emma and Nick Bandurak have signed for our Womens and Mens 1^st teams for the 2024/25 season.

Emma joins EG having previously represented England at U21 level and has numerous caps for the England Indoor hockey team. She was also voted part of the "Team of the Year" for the 17/18 and 18/19 seasons. Her passing ability will be one of the many qualities she brings to the Women's 1s defensive line.

Nick is a current England & GB international and signs for the club having scored over 40 goals in just over 50 international appearances in the last few years, he has also recently won the hockey writers player of the year for the third year in a row ! He has previously represented Holcombe and Cannock and is looking to bring his fine goalscoring form to Saint Hill. Nick Has also recently been signed to the Hockey India League (HIL) for the Kalinga Lancers !

We are thrilled to be able to welcome two fine players to our club and cannot wait to see them wearing the famous blue and white at Saint Hill.

We sat down with Emma and Nick this week to talk about their move to East Grinstead:

Emma / Nick, Welcome to the East Grinstead Family, how does it feel to sign for the club?

EB: In such a short space of time I'm already feeling at home. Everyone we have met so far has been lovely so looking forward to meeting everyone and getting stuck in.

NB: I'm really excited to join East Grinstead. It's been a bit of a crazy year on the whole so to find a home that's welcomed us, as EG have has really meant the world.

You've had conversations with senior leaders at the club as well as with Wes and Theo, can you tell us what it was that made you decide to join EG?

EB/NB: Being a part of a family-based club was essential to our thought process for finding a new home. EG has carried that reputation for a long time and to see it in action through the past couple of weeks has given us huge comfort. Both sides carry a lot of potential for this season and beyond and we're excited to contribute in whatever way we can to that.

For the people who may not be as familiar with your game, can you tell us about the style of players you are and what are your main qualities?

EB: Organising, passing and offering umpires advice !

NB: My game is a pretty simple one at heart and largely revolves around my play in the final third. Hopefully that leads to putting the ball in the goal a few times !

What do you know about the current teams? How well do you think East Grinstead can perform this season?

EB/NB: We think both teams carry a huge amount of potential for the rest of the season. The Women's 1s are a hugely talented group and have imposed themselves on the league the past couple of years. The Men have shown themselves to be playing some really exciting hockey and seeing the performances they put in over the double-header weekend against Wimbledon and Holcombe showed us that they have the ingredients to be a really competitive side this season.

Who are you looking forward to playing with in the men's and women's side? Anyone in particular?

EB: It's too early to admit that I have favourites! But we will see how the first week of fines go !

NB: I'm still finding my feet with the group through the first couple of weeks so it feels a bit rough to call out names ! I haven't shared a pitch with Daniel Faulkner for several years so I'm looking forward to that, and then seeing the energy that Kurt Lovett brings through the middle of the pitch is really exciting. Getting to play alongside Louis Tipper having once been his teacher is a decent way to make me feel old as well !

Finally, are you looking forward to playing in front of the EG faithful and do you have a message for all the EG supporters out there?

EB: Absolutely, I enjoyed playing in front of the faithful even when I've been on the opposition ! It will of course be a nice change to be on the other side of this ! Excited about getting stuck in on the sideline too, supporting the men !

NB: I can't wait to play in front of The Faithful ! I'm looking forward to calling a truce on the years gone by and I'm very thankful to be having them on my side for a change !