Welcome New L1 Coaching and Management Team !

Today we're delighted to welcome a new team to take our Ladies' 1st team forwards and build on the incredible platform that has been developed over the past few years.  Click through to read more...

Our new coaching team will be Cath Nicholson and Bridget Blackwood, both former Ladies 1st Team players who represented the side most recently just last season.  Our new L1 Manager will be Theo Dowse, also a former player, but with EG Mens' 1st team for whom he played in goal during the 2015 / 2016 Season.

Cath (Gilly) Nicholson (pictured left-most in the above image) joined EG in 2018 following stints at Sevenoaks as Player-Coach and following an international career spanning 61 England Caps, and 3 Great Britain Caps.  She was part of the England Squads that won European Bronze in 2005 and 2007 as well as Commonwealth Bronze in 2006.  Prior to EG, she played at Sevenoaks, Loughborough and Canterbury.  Head of Hockey and a teacher at Sevenoaks School, Cath will bring lots of experience to the group as well as continuity.  Playing as a forward for most of her career, Cath will help the team continue to sharpen its attacking edge.

Bridget Blackwood (pictured second from the right in the above image) joined EG in 2016 from New Zealand where she earned 51 Senior Caps for her country.  Her debut was in 2011 and Bridget was a reserve for the Olympic squad in 2012 having also played New Zealand U21.  Having worked previously at Woldingham School as Director of Sport, Bridget has most recently been at Surbiton High (again as Director of Sport) and focused on completing her Masters.  Bridget played in midfield and defence for most of her career.

Gilly and Bridget are team players and will continue to develop and enhance the team culture and performance at EG bringing their respective areas of expertise and building on the fantastic achievements of recent seasons.

Joining Gilly and Bridget will be Theo Dowse as Team Manager.  Theo is also a former EG player having represented EG Men in 2015 / 2016 season indoor.  Theo was part of the group that won the Indoor title that season and also played in Europe Indoor.  Theo has represented England U21 and most recently has been a Support Coach in the Wales Senior Women's setup.  Theo is currently Director of Hockey at Bedes School and has previously operated as Head Coach at Lewes Men and Eastbourne Ladies.

Bridget in action for EG Ladies against Birmingham University 

Gilly in action for EG Ladies against Holcombe HC 

Theo Dowse