A NEW coach and captain will lead the National League campaign for Canterbury Hockey Club's men's team this season.

New Zealander Grant Edwards, an experienced coach formerly with Premier Division rivals Teddington, has joined Canterbury after moving to work at Wye College.

The long association of the Laslett family with the club has reached another milestone with the appointment of Danny Laslett as first team captain, with Stuart Keir as vice-captain.

Former first team coach David Bunyan becomes Canterbury's first director of hockey, with overall responsibility for the development of players and coaches for both men's and women's teams.

Chairman Richard Goodenough said: "We have set ourselves the target of qualifying for Europe, and staying in European competition."

The men's section hold an open day on Saturday, which anyone interested in playing or umpiring at any level may attend.

The first team play a practice match against Guildford at 2pm, with open day activities from 3.30pm.