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Thompson close to completing staff for the battle ahead

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Newly appointed GB Ice Hockey Head Coach Paul Thompson has confirmed three more members of his national team support staff.  Newcastle Vipers Head Coach, Rob Wilson joins as one of Thompson's two assistant coaches, Sheffield Steelers Press & Media Manager, David Simms takes on a similar role for the national team and Coventry Blaze Chairman, Andy Buxton takes the position of General Manager of the national team programme.

Paul Thompson said of the appointments,

"I always make a priority of having good people along side me. People who can help me run the whole programme, people I can trust and people who I know will support me and what I am trying to achieve.

"Rob Wilson was a natural choice for me.  He has experience of coaching for four years and we seem to share many of the same beliefs as to how a team should play and prepare. Rob is a standout individual who knows what it takes to win and he will be a solid ally in the months ahead."

"I intend to have a second assistant coach and I hope to announce that person shortly. I'm ninety-nine percent of the way there with agreeing with the person I want and he will also really help the programme."

Wilson said,

"When Paul called me I was excited. Whilst I was born in Canada I class myself as British and have always been a proud member of the National team. My Dad's Scottish roots remain with me."

"Paul is the right person to lead this new GB mission and I am delighted to be standing beside him. We both get on well, trust one another and we also share the ambition of the programme. We are determined to take this opportunity and make it work."

Thompson has always been adamant that the programme must run smoothly off the ice and be a well-oiled machine with regards to professionalism, preparation and communication.  He sees his appointment of both Buxton and Simms as a key move to drive this forward.

Thompson confirmed, "One of the reasons for bringing them in is to improve the professionalism, preparation and communication around the programme. These guys do this type of work on a daily basis in their professional lives. Andy Buxton is as organised and prepared a person as you could get and I know he will leave no stone unturned to make sure this whole programme runs smoothly."

"As many know, David Simms has his ear to the ground on the hockey circuit and can help us spread the message of Team GB.  He will make sure that the whole of the country knows what our programme is about and will help to generate the support that it requires."

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