Mike Heskin, CEO of Hockey Ireland is leaving the organisation to take up a new role as Director of Sport at NUI Galway, closer to his family home.
The departure is a blow to the sport as it prepares for the biggest year in its history having secured qualification fro the Olympic Games with the men’s national team next year for the first time since 1928.
Heskin has served three years and has overseen not only this advance of the national squad but also a restructuring of the domestic league and bringing on board EY as a major partner, as well as winning the right to host the World League 2 event in Ireland in 2017.
Speaking to Sport for Business at an event in the National Sports Campus two weeks ago Heskin recalled the nervous tension around the qualification for the Olympics.
“The team had done everything but we still needed Australia to win one remaining game to ensure we made it to Rio.”
“There was talk of them playing a development team in that game and it needed a bit of pricking their national pride to ensure they won a game they always should have.”
Nerve wracking
It was a nerve wracking night following the game online but they won by a single goal and that was enough.”
“We would like to congratulate Mike who has found a new career closer to his home and family in Galway, and wish him continued success with his new role,” said Hockey Ireland President Richard Kendrick.
“Mike has been CEO of Hockey Ireland for 3 years and in that time, he has implemented many beneficial changes and raised the profile of Hockey in Ireland both nationally and internationally.”
“One of Mike’s many strengths is his ability to build relationships both internally within the hockey community, and outside with many other important bodies related to sport in Ireland, EHF and FIH, along with our sponsors.”
“With Mike’s moving on, he will leave a vacancy that will be challenging to fill. The Board have initiated a process that will ensure the change will be as seamless as possible.”
Speaking about his time at Hockey Ireland, Heskin said “I have really enjoyed my time with Hockey Ireland and hope that I have made a contribution.
“Hockey Ireland is entering a very exciting time and I believe, in the capable hands of the current staff and board, it will blossom and reach its full potential.”
“It is especially pleasing to see one of our senior international teams qualify for an Olympics, the launch of the EY Hockey League domestically, the role out of the Clubmark project and all under our new brand of Hockey Ireland. I wish everybody in hockey every success”.
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