Simon Mason, the former England and Great Britain Olympic hockey goalkeeper, was elected as President of the England Hockey Board (EHB) at its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday evening.

Mason, who played in goal nearly 200 times at international level, has served as the National Governing Body’s Vice President since 2006 and took on the role of acting-President following Martin Gotheridge’s election as President of the European Hockey Federation in July 2009.

After being elected, the 36 year old said, “I am delighted to win the election given the quality of the other three candidates. Campaigning has given me the opportunity to contact a huge number of hockey people directly and I look forward to staying in touch with those people and others, to listen to their concerns and help inform them of all the positive things that are happening within hockey in England.”

Sally Munday, Chief Executive of the England Hockey Board said, “I think it is a very positive reflection on hockey that we had four strong candidates standing for election to the President’s position. Over the past few years Simon has been a pro-active Vice President and I look forward to working with him in his new role as President.”

Mason still plays hockey for Guildford in the England Hockey League Conference West and is Managing Director and co-owner of successful sports equipment company Mercian Sports Company. In July 2009 he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Leeds, the university from which he graduated in 1994 with a degree in economics.

During his extraordinary playing career, Mason played for England 120 times and a further 74 times for Great Britain, including appearances at three consecutive Olympic Games in Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004). He played for England at two Commonwealth Games, three World Cups and three European Cups during a career that saw him rise to a lofty position as the country's top goalkeeper and become widely recognised as one of the best in the world.

Mason retired from playing international hockey in 2005 but still maintains his involvement with the Olympic movement, sitting on the Athlete Committee for the London 2012 Olympics.

Looking towards the future, Mason concluded, “We have a fantastic sport that is entering a really important phase with London 2012 on the horizon. I am thoroughly looking forward to representing hockey at all levels during my time as President."

Mason will serve as EHB President for the next three years.

ENDS

PHOTOGRAPHY
Rights free image of Simon Mason
Credit: EHB

FURTHER INFORMATION
Lawrence West, EHB PR & Sponsorship Officer, 01628 897509