Mike Hughes, the head coach and director of hockey for the Old Georgians’ men’s team, has announced he will step down in May after a remarkable 10-year tenure that transformed the club into England champions.
The Old Georgians made their Euro Hockey League debut in October and have already secured a spot in Europe next season as leaders in the English regular season. They aim to clinch back-to-back national championships next weekend at Surbiton during the finals weekend.
Hughes looks forward to ending his time with the Surrey club on a high note, having guided them from the regional leagues to winning promotion to the Premier Division in 2020 and ultimately claiming the title in 2022.
In a social media post about his decision to step down, Hughes expressed pride in the unprecedented success the club has experienced during his five years as Director of Hockey. He believes now is the right time for someone else to take the reins and begin the next chapter of the Old Georgians’ journey.
Hughes plans to enjoy some rest and relaxation this summer, perhaps even taking a holiday in August. He also looks forward to reflecting on the positive culture, processes, and remarkable achievements the club has enjoyed during his time as head coach and director of hockey.
He expressed gratitude to everyone he has worked with during his tenure, including volunteers, board members, players, captains, coaches, staff, opponents, and the entire Georgian Family, for helping make their ambitious dreams a reality. Hughes specifically acknowledged Jonny Stephens for his unwavering support, stating that none of their accomplishments would have been possible without him.
As he prepares to step down, Hughes hopes to share a beer with everyone in the coming weeks to express his appreciation and looks forward to seeing whether the team can win the final phase of the current season.
