George Blackwood

George is a Level 4 Coach: FIH Preliminary Course (Zimbabwe).

Coaching Career

International
Irish U21 Coach 1995 – 2001 (75 international matches)
• B European Division Champions (Italy)
• A European Championships (Spain)
• Junior World Cup (Australia)
• 4 Junior Celtic Trophies (Winners twice)

Irish U18 Coach 1991 – 1995
• 4 Home Nations (Winners 3 times)
• European Youth Olympics (Silver medal)

Inter-Provincial
• Ulster U21 Coach 1994
• Ulster U18 Coach 1990 – 1994

Club Coaching
Victorians Ladies Club 2005 – present
Ards Ladies Club 1999
Bangor Men’s Club 1994 – 1998
Queen’s University 1993

Coaching Committee Positions
Chair Irish Coaching Committee 2004 – present
Member of Irish Coaching Committee 2002 – 2004
Chair of Ulster Coaching Committee 2002 – 2004
Ulster Men’s Coaches’ Co-ordinator 2002 – present

Playing Career
Stranmillis College 1974 – 78
East Antrim Hockey Club 1978 – 81
Bangor Hockey Club 1981 - 91

Organised High Performance Courses for
• U21 coaches during Women’s European Cup (Dublin)
• U16 coaches during Boys’ U16 European Championships (Dublin)

Responsible for sending coaches to EHF and FIH courses.

Was a Primary school Principal, Vice Principal and teacher for 26 years, then an ICT strategy advisor in Northern Ireland for 2 years. Now the Northern Ireland Learning Manager for the National Trust.