Beggs appointed to Ice Hockey UK talent development role

Mark Beggs has been appointed to the new position of Ice Hockey UK’s national talent development officer (NTDO).

Beggs was born in Glasgow but grew up in Toronto, coaching minor hockey with the Toronto Marlies and then moving on to Junior A with the Aurora Tigers.

He came to the UK 15 years ago to run the junior development programme as head coach for Swindon, attaining five National Junior Development awards during a 10-year period.

This also included coaching the England Under-19 team competing against Scotland and mentor coach with the South West Conference.

For the past three seasons Beggs has been head coach of the Great Britain U18s and he instigated the Great Britain Development Camps for future prospects.

The new position has a clear focus which has been communicated as being, to:

Create a systematic approach on the identification, support, development and succession of international-class players for the Team GB program;
foster closer working partnerships with the clubs of potential international players to define talent potential performance indicators, benchmarks and a curriculum of athlete development;
ensuring that the pathway below talent identification and development) is transparent and effective in defining the strategic and technical framework of a seamless player pathway, reaching from club through to the Team GB;
develop the foundations for an evidence based approach to talent identification, confirmation and development using robust training and performance data from past successful/unsuccessful players and use it to help inform the future development of players;
working with the IHUK board on its prospect camp program as they are delivered across the UK;
define and implement a key performance indicator framework that effectively and accurately measures the impact of the TIDP from regional teams through to the Team GB performance squads;
work closely with a range of partners and stakeholders to implement a multi-dimensional support program incorporating elements in the delivery of sport science and medical support to ensure the optimum needs of the players are met;
engage with the IHUK board on talent recruitment initiatives, technical education workshops and sports specific innovation projects;

Mark Beggs said: “Being appointed NTDO for Great Britain is an exciting opportunity and thrilled to be appointed. I would like to thank IHUK for the responsibility of identifying and working with future national players.

“Scouting and player development is something I have always made a high priority to ensure there are no gaps by position that will impact the future team selection.

“The role will allow me to identify the right type of players that can compete both physically and mentally at international hockey.

“The type of players that GB require to give them the best possible chance for success will be tracked at an early age to allow future rosters to be identified much sooner.

“We have some exceptionally talented players right now but, more importantly, ones that are developing at a different pace.

“The expectations on the players will be high, but we need to ensure the process and expectations are very clear to them to ensure the national team is a priority and ambition.

“The framework will be in place for them to achieve maximum results more efficiently and effectively.

“The recent announcements have shown the vision the IHUK see as the way to go forward with the foundations playing a key role in the success of all national teams for men and women.”

IHUK general secretary, Andy French, added: “This role is very important to the future of British ice hockey and the talent of male and female players.

“Mark will discover elite prospect players with the assistance of regional scouts, who will be assigned with the help of the GB U20s coach Pete Russell.

“We had several applicants for this position and we felt Mark Beggs, who for three years was the head coach of the U18 men, gave a outstanding presentation.

“He showed us the knowledge he has for the talent of players we have coming through in the UK.

“We are very pleased with this appointment and feel this will improve the career path for the national team players, both male and female

“IHUK will be announcing Mark’s replacement as the Under-18s head coach in the very near future.”