Being national champions has its benefits, something Wimbledon Hockey Club coach Ben Marsden has discovered over the summer.
After last season’s memorable campaign, which ended with the lifting of the MHL Premier Division crown and qualifying for the Euro Hockey League, Wimbledon have attracted a host of international stars.
From Holland comes Pieter Wiegnam, from Club Kampong, and Caspar Phiffer, from Pinoke.
They join German Matthias Kneuetser from An Der Alster, and Ritchie Dawson Smith from German club Harvestehuder.
Marsden said: “Being champions has let us attract overseas players to come to the club and they all come over with experience in the Euro Hockey League.”
Going the other way are Jack Waller and George Farrant, and Marsden has also stepped down to concentrate on coaching.
He will be joined on the touchline by Ben Hawes, who has hung up his boots as both player and skipper.
Despite being reigning champions, Marsden has not changed the routine ahead of Sunday’s curtain-raiser at Brooklands MU.
“We are not really doing anything different, we are simply trying to incorporate new players into the team,” he said.
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