The Hockey Association Malta is delighted to announce that Pieter Bregman has been appointed as the Malta National team coach. Whilst the association received multiple applications for the role, Bregman, who has vast experience both at playing and coaching levels, was chosen to take on the role with immediate effect alongside his current role as Coach of Sliema Hotsticks.
Malta first competitive engagement will be in the EHF Euro Hockey Championship IV in Lithuania from 19th to 25th July and Bregman is aiming high. “The Maltese National Men’s Hockey team will aim for the top position in the European Hockey league in July 2015 and try to move up one level, which will make it more interesting to play for the clubs and in extension, the National team.”
This will not be an easy feat however and Bregman is already looking ahead to start building the team up to the competition. “I will start selecting players from today and will draw up a squad of 26-28 players, who will be invited by the HAM, to appear at the first central training session in January 2015. Each month, according to the possible schedule, we will have a training session with this group and by May 2015, the selection should be ready for the tournament in July 2015 in Lithuania. As from June 2015, the selected squad will be training at least 2-3 times a week and the weeks before the tournament 5 times a week.”
Whilst the talk of the town will be the tournament in July, Bregman is already looking to the future of Maltese hockey – both for the national team as well as the sport in general. “My vision is that we create an awareness campaign and make hockey a more known sport. I know this is going to take a lot of effort, but in the end, it will pay off! We need youths to come into all clubs and educate them right, so the level of play will go up and we will increase hockey on the Island.”
These are undoubtedly exciting times for Maltese hockey – Pieter’s vast experience and knowledge in the sport will hopefully provide the foundation for a bigger and brighter future of hockey on the island. HAM would like to wish Pieter the best of luck in this undertaking.