England and Great Britain Hockey Performance Director Ed Barney has been appointed as Performance Director for Men’s Cricket for the ECB.
Barney took on the role of Head of Talent Development in 2014 and was announced as Performance Director in 2016.
During his time at England and Great Britain Hockey, he oversaw Olympic, European and Commonwealth Games success. The women’s team won an unprecedented third Olympic hockey medal in Tokyo, while the England women won a first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham last year.
The men’s team also reached third in the world rankings for the first in 20 years before they won silver at the European Championships – their first medal at that level in 14 years.
Barney has previously worked with the ECB, from 2010 to 2013, as a Talent Identification Scientist when he led the implementation of a world-leading talent ID and scouting programme.
On his new appointment, Barney said: “The opportunity to return to the ECB and take on the role of Performance Director was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I’m looking forward to building on much of the exceptional work that is in place, whilst ensuring that the quality of our provision supports the most talented players to realise their potential, excel on the world stage and inspire the nation about everything that cricket has to offer.
“It’s been a real honour to lead the performance team at England and Great Britain Hockey over the past seven years. It has been very special to see many of the junior teams break through, whilst the senior programmes have excelled on the world stage with European, Commonwealth Games and Olympic medals.
“As Performance Director it has been a real privilege to work with so many exceptional players and colleagues who day-to-day inspire one another to strive to be better. I want to thank everyone at England and Great Britain Hockey and look forward to following their success in the future.”
England and GB Hockey CEO, Nick Pink, said: “On behalf of everyone at England and GB Hockey, we would like to wish Ed good luck for his future career at the ECB.
“We are very grateful to Ed for all his hard work and commitment through his time working with us. In his time as Performance Director and in the 3 years before then as Head of Talent, he has shown a tremendous work ethic and commitment to the sport. We will begin the process for finding the right successor in the New Year.
“On a personal level, I would like to wish Ed all the very best and I have no doubt in his last few weeks with us, until he leaves at the beginning of March, that everything will be left in the best possible place.”
