Holcombe Hockey Club have announced the departure of Great Britain forward Nick Bandurak from their men’s first-team squad.

The player had been with Holcombe for almost a decade and is also head coach of the Women’s Premier Division side. He wrote on social media that he was “absolutely gutted to be removed from my team and my club against my will.”

Bandurak hadn’t played for the men’s Premier Division side this season and the club, announcing his departure “with sadness” on Sunday, issued a statement on behalf of president David South.

The statement said: “Bandurak was a key part of the men’s set up for over nine-and-a-half years.

“His general play and natural goal scoring ability helped guide us through the leagues and establish Holcombe as a recognised Premier Division club

“He scored more than 200 goals for the club, which were vital as he top-scored in numerous Premier Division campaigns and also contributed heavily in various Euro Hockey League (EHL) campaigns, including in Barcelona in October 2023 where he captained the side to the KO8.

“Recognition of his abilities during this time has enabled Nick to become a regular member of the England and Great Britain squads.

“The whole Club wishes Nick well in his future endeavours and thanks him for his service.”

Bandurak played at the 2023 World Cup and 2023 EuroHockey Championships and also helped GB qualify for Paris 2024.

In his post on X, he added: “I’ll be using this next month to get back to match fitness and hopefully find a club that sees the value I can bring.

“I’m looking forward to this next chapter and the opportunities now available to me.”

Bandurak’s Holcombe W1s team fell to 4-1 defeat away to Hampstead & Westminster on Saturday - their first Premier Division loss of the season

The hosts took an early lead through Rose Tynan before fellow New Zealander Olivia Shannon netted her third goal in as many Holcombe matches to level the scores inside the first ten minutes.

The Londoners re-established their advantage seven minutes before half-time with unanswered goals in the third and fourth quarters from Lucy Hyams and then Sofia Martin to secure the three points.

Holcombe’s M1s team, meanwhile, made it three wins out of three in the Premier Division with a late 3-2 victory over Hampstead & Westminster at Paddington Rec on Saturday evening.

Kiran Arunasalam put the home side in front but Holcs captain Rob Field equalised at the end of the first quarter.

Teague Marcano scored his second of the season to turn the game on its head early in the second half before Matt Guise-Brown levelled things up again.

With twelve minutes to go, New Zealander Tim Neild put Holcs back in front with his first goal for the club but Great Britain’s Ollie Payne had to be on hand to deny the home side at the death with a phenomenal stick save.

Holcombe W1s are at home to University of Birmingham on Saturday (4pm) ahead of the M1s match at Holcombe Park against Old Georgians (6.30pm). Both matches are free to watch.