Hockey India appoints Staniforth as goalkeeping coach

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS)

Hockey India (HI) Thursday appointed Dave Staniforth as strategic analyst and goalkeeping coach of the senior and junior men’s hockey teams.

HI secretary general Narinder Batra said he believed in focussed and concentrated training for goalkeepers and the appointment of a dedicated goalkeeping coach is a step in that direction.

“I am sure all the goalkeepers in the core probables will benefit immensely from his appointment. Hockey as a sport is about precise strategy and execution, so I believe that Dave’s appointment will be significant ahead of the major events including FIH Hockey Junior Men World Cup 2013 and FIH Hockey Senior Men World Cup 2014,” he said.

Staniforth said: “I am very happy with my new role with the Indian men teams and really look forward to preparing the goalkeepers for the busy hockey schedule ahead. Having spent a lot of time following the Indian team during the last two years, I have a good understanding of the goalkeepers strengths and weaknesses.

The 37-year-old Staniforth has worked as goalkeeping coach with the South African national side for three years. He has also worked with Riverside Hockey Club and Dave Staniforth Academy as goalkeeping coach. He also holds an FIH Certificate in International Goalkeeper Coaching and has done two other Coaching Courses – Irish Hockey Association Level 1 and English Hockey Association Level 2.

As a player, Dave Staniforth has 65 international caps and has represented South Africa in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, 10th FIH Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur 2002, three times FIH Champions Challenge in Kuala Lumpur 2001, Johannesburg 2003 and Alexandria 2005 and 8th All Africa Games in Nigeria 2003.