The EuroHockey Institute Podcast

This month’s guest is Andreu Enrich, a coach, author and one of the foremost hockey philosophers in the world. Originally from Terrassa, he now works in Germany with Mannheimer HC and as an assistant coach with the German national team and as spent decades forming and evolving his view on the game both on the field, through his books. In this episode, Andreu challenges traditional structures in hockey, questioning early talent identification and rigid systems. He shares why learning the game should start simply, creatively, and always stay loyal to hockey itself.

This month’s guest is Stefan Blöcher, former German international and EuroHockey Hall of Famer. From his early days as a driven young player to one of the great playing careers and then on to coaching roles which have taken him across the world, Stefan shares his philosophy on motivation, growth, and the unifying power of sport. He reflects on how hockey has connected him with people from every culture and background, proving that sport truly is a common language.

This month’s guest is Minke Booij; a Dutch and Den Bosch icon, an Olympic, World Cup and European champion, and a culture leader on and off the field. She reflects on the true essence of team sport. Minke shares how success isn’t built on individual moments, but on the lasting memories created together. She highlights the importance of building strong relationships, involving everyone, and fostering a culture where every player feels part of the journey.

This month, we sit down with Andy Halliday, former Team Manager for England and Great Britain’s men’s Olympic hockey teams. From an unexpected start inspired by a radio ad to a storied career in elite sport, Andy shares how his time in the police shaped his leadership style. He dives into the importance of building environments where athletes feel safe, understood, and ready to perform, emphasising the power of empathy, preparation, and thinking slow to act fast. Now a coach, commentator, and charity advocate, Andy’s story is as multifaceted as the sport he loves.

The well-travelled Federico Tanuscio joins the podcast to share stories from his unforgettable journey with the Argentine national team. From thrilling matches to the joy-filled spirit of Argentinian culture, Federico - who is currently Luxembourg director of hockey - reflects on how playing hockey with Los Leones wasn’t just about sport; it was about community, passion, and embracing life with a smile.

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Marlena Rybacha, the trailblazing captain of Poland’s national field hockey teams. Marlena shares how her determination led her to the Netherlands, Marlena’s perseverance earned her a spot on the team, marking the beginning of her influential presence in European hockey en route, eventually, to Indoor World Cup gold. Join us as Marlena discusses the challenges she faced, the cultural transitions she navigated, and how her experiences have shaped her both as an athlete and as a person.

In this months episode, former Irish hockey player Matthew Bell shares how hockey became his lifeline after a devastating brain cancer diagnosis in 2019. From early symptoms to a remarkable recovery, he reflects on resilience, the power of sport, and the support that helped him through.You can purchase his book here; https://excaliburpress.co.uk/product/second-chances-by-matthew-bell/

Emily Defroand, the former England and Great Britain players shares how her school experience shaped her both on and off the field en route to Euro and Commonwealth bronze medals. From developing her hockey skills to gaining an outlook on life inspired by her family, Emily reflects on the profound role sports play in her personal growth. Today in her working life with West Ham United Football Club's communications crew, she applies the lessons of teamwork, resilience, and leadership gained as an athlete to her professional career, proving that sport is about much more than what happens on the pitch.

Joost van Geel is November's feature interview on the EuroHockey Institute Podcast, speaking to Jack Rolfe about elite performance. Joost is an experienced leader in sports management and talent development, currently working with NOC*NSF and TeamNL. Before that, he has held a number of roles at the highest level of Dutch hockey, including national indoor coach and seven years - up until earlier this year - as the KNHB performance manager. With over a decade of expertise, he specialises in coaching, leadership training, and building development programs for athletes, coaches and organisations. He has also founded his own consultancy, delivering workshops and guidance on team and talent growth. His dedication to advancing sports excellence is rooted in his vision for fostering teamwork, strategic thinking, and critical leadership. Tune in to hear the ideas and actions that he uses for shaping players to who they are today.

Tom Drowley is this month’s guest on the EuroHockey Institute Podcast. He is an elite physical preparation coach with over a decade of experience in international hockey with England and Great Britain and subsequently with Malaysia. He has worked with some of the top athletes in the sport, helping them achieve peak physical performance on the global stage. Drawing on his extensive background in strength and conditioning, Tom shares his approach to training, the mental and physical demands of high-level competition, and what it takes to excel in elite sports. If you're interested in the science of athletic performance or the behind-the-scenes, this episode is a must-listen.