Following the EHF's announcement on 13th March that R.David Balbirnie is to step down as Hon.General Secretary of the EHF at the end of 2012, the EHF began the process of appointing a Director General. 

The EHF is delighted to announce that Angus Kirkland has been appointed as Director General and will take up this position in October 2012.

Angus joins the EHF from the Irish Hockey Association, where he was CEO for the past four years. During his time in Irish Hockey he has been responsible for securing and managing sponsorship partnerships. He has acted as lead in many FIH and EHF level Tournaments. He has also been responsible for leading hockey in developing a brand new training center at the Irish National Sports Campus, Abbotstown and developing a strategic plan (with Coaching Ireland) for coaching hockey in Ireland.

Angus has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to sport, both professionally, as a player and as  volunteer. He began his career as a professional squash player, securing a career high World Ranking of 19^th in November 1995. He went on to develop his management skills as Head Squash Professional & Athletic Director at The Harvard Club of Boston. In 2002 he moved to Ireland and worked as General Manager of a Gaelic Club, before going on to be COO of Irish Squash Association. In 2008 he was appointed as CEO of the Irish Hockey Association.

Commenting on Angus’ appointment, Marijke Fleuren said: “It is my pleasure to warmly welcome Angus to the EHF. As CEO of Irish Hockey, Angus is already an intrinsic part of the hockey family. With his strong work experience at senior level in a variety of organisations, he is ideally placed to guide the EHF through this new phase in our history and all in the EHF look forward to working with him.”

Angus said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Director General of the European Hockey Federation. The role presents both a great opportunity and a challenge and I am very much looking forward to working with all stakeholders in European Hockey over the coming years to help grow and strengthen the game in the region.”

Angus Kirkland will start in his new role based in Brussels on 15th October 2012. 

EHF Office

12th July 2012