Academic biography

David joined DCU in 2012 following 13 years in elite sport working first with British and then Irish Hockey where he had coached at all levels achieving success at European (U21 Silver and U18 Gold) level. He was Head Coach to the Irish Senior Men's team for four years leading them from 25th to 18th in the world rankings. Since 2008 David was High Performance Director of Irish Hockey whilst also overseeing the development of a new player development model and coach education system.

David also worked as teacher for seven years and worked as a consultant with the Irish Institute of Sport on their Elite Coach Education program (Pursuit of Excellence Programme) and the International Rugby Board in their development of high performance systems. David undertook a MSc in Sports Coaching at Loughborough University and completed his doctorate in Elite Performance (UClan) which investigated elite coach development (awarded 2016).
He continues to be involved in coaching and is currently Ireland U21 Women's Head Coach and Assistant Women's Coach.

Coach Education, Talent Development and other projects: 

• Irish Institute of Sport – Expert Steering Group: This group was tasked to redesign elite coach education for the Institute of Sport
• DCU Masterclasses Director – Designed and implemented a series of Coaching Masterclasses covering areas of management, leadership and coaching by some of Ireland’s top elite coaches.
• European Hockey Federation – Course Conductor delivering various coach education programs and courses around Europe:  Sept 2011-present
• Level 1, 2 & 3 Hockey Tutor and NVQ Assessor (Coaching Ireland Accredited)
• Lucozade Sport Education Tutor – deliver courses in Nutrition, Hydration, Lifestyle and Fitness
• HookedforLife:  I led the group responsible for the development of Irish Hockey’s player development program, HookedforLife.  
• English National Long Term Athlete Development Committee – performance representative and instrumental in developing the LTAD strategy ‘Single System’ with Sport England
• Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) 2003-04
  

Mentoring and Coach Development Schemes: 

• Federation International Hockey (FIH) Academy HP Educator and Educator’s Educator
• European Hockey Federation – Top Coach Tutor and Mentor
• Irish Institute of Sport – Expert Steering Group: This group was tasked to redesign elite coach education for the Institute of Sport
• Down GAA – Lead in consultation process and Expert Steering group
• DCU Masterclasses Director – Designed and implemented fourseries of Coaching Masterclasses covering areas of management, leadership and coaching by some of Ireland’s top elite coaches.
• European Hockey Federation – Course Conductor delivering various coach education programs and courses around Europe: Sept 2011-present
• Level 1, 2 & 3 Hockey Tutor and NVQ Assessor (Coaching Ireland Accredited)
• Lucozade Sport Education Tutor – deliver courses in Nutrition, Hydration, Lifestyle and Fitness
• HookedforLife:  I led the group responsible for the development of Irish Hockey’s player development program, HookedforLife.  
  • English National Long Term Athlete Development Committee – performance representative and instrumental in developing the LTAD strategy ‘Single System’ with Sport England
  • Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) – implemented national university hockey scheme 2003-04
  • Talent Identification – I wrote and directed the E