Gillingham Anchorians Hockey Club’s head of junior coaching has been recognised at the highest level.

Harry McDonald has been chosen to represent England at the Euro Hockey Foundation’s Leadership Group and in June will spend a week in the Netherlands debating and discussing important issues in the sport with his contemporaries from other nations.

McDonald took over the role of overseeing Anchs’ junior section in April 2020, and despite all the obstacles thrown in their path, he has led his team of coaches in innovative ways to keep the juniors involved in the sport, with Zoom training, highly regulated Covid-compliant sessions and video skills challenges among the ways the club have continued to engage with members during the last year.

The Euro Hockey Foundation is the governing body of hockey in Europe and their Youth Leadership Group is comprised of young people selected from across the continent. He is one of two representative from England Hockey.

Chairwoman of Gillingham Anchorians, Laura Hopkins, said: “We’re all incredibly proud of the work Harry has put in over the last twelve months in the most trying of times.

“The energy and enthusiasm that he has injected into the youngsters at the club isn’t hard to see. What many don’t see is the enormous amount of hard work he does behind the scenes, including fostering links with local and national mental health charities.

“Now his hard work and commitment to the next generation of players is being recognised at the highest level and as a club, we couldn’t be any more proud or delighted for him.”

Harry’s junior sessions run every week for six to 12-year-olds on Sunday mornings and 13-18 year-olds on Thursday nights at the Anchorians Sports Ground, Darland Avenue. Adult training is also running. Visit the club's website to find out more information.