A GB LEGEND IS COMING HOME: JONATHAN PHILLIPS NAMED NATIONAL TEAMS PROGRAMME DIRECTOR
Ice Hockey UK is thrilled to announce a landmark appointment as Jonathan Phillips returns to take up the role of the first-ever National Teams Programme Director.
As the first appointment since Ice Hockey UK’s historic merger was completed, Phillips joins on a permanent, full-time basis in a brand-new role with full oversight and responsibility for the GB Programme – spanning the Men’s, Women’s and Para teams.
Phillips needs no introduction to British ice hockey fans after playing for Great Britain for 21 years, starting in 2003 as a 20-year-old at the World Championship in Zagreb, Croatia.
His impact for GB was immense. If ever there was someone you would want to show to the world what epitomises a Great Britain player, it’s Jonathan Phillips. The leader, the heartbeat and the example-setter of the national team for two decades.
Phillips pulled on the GB jersey 116 times, winning three gold medals and three silvers, and ended his national-team career by helping Great Britain to promotion on home ice in Nottingham in 2023.
He captained the side through many of GB’s biggest moments and led the team at the top level of World Championship ice hockey at three tournaments.
Across a phenomenal 1,175-game Elite League career — the vast majority in a Sheffield Steelers shirt — he became one of the most decorated captains in UK ice hockey, lifting four league titles, three playoff championships and a Challenge Cup.
Since hanging up his GB skates, Phillips has stayed close to the game — turning out for the Sheffield Steeldogs and coaching the Sheffield Academy’s U16s and U19s — all while building a successful career in education. Now, he’s coming back to where it all began.
Phillips will report directly to Tim Bratton, Interim CEO of Ice Hockey UK, who said: “Jonathan Phillips is a legend in GB ice hockey and I am excited that he will be joining IHUK in this new role. It’s a role we’ve been considering for several months and every conversation we had came back to Jonathan being the right person for the job.
“When you speak to people in hockey, of course they talk about Jonathan the player. But they also talk about Jonathan the person – a decent person with huge integrity, with a deep understanding of the game and a massive passion for GB hockey.
“In many ways this appointment is a reset moment for the GB Programme. It’s an opportunity to look forensically at how we can improve across the board and really strengthen our GB Programme. I know we have appointed the best person for that job.”
Phillips said: “Every time I pulled on the GB jersey as a player, I felt an enormous sense of pride and honour to be representing Great Britain and I feel exactly the same about taking on this new role.
“I’ve enjoyed my time since retiring from the GB Programme and in particular using the skills and experience I developed as a player in a completely new career in education. But I could not say no to this opportunity when it came along.
“I will be focusing on developing a GB identity across all of our teams – Men’s, Women’s and Para – and across all different age groups. We’ll be doing that both on and off the ice and by focusing not only on how we operate at IHUK, but also at continuing to develop and enhance our relationships with all stakeholders across the game for the greater good.
“We have some fantastic coaches and players within the system at all levels and it will be my responsibility to ensure we get the most out of them, while also continuing to develop GB talent at the younger age groups to ensure there is a consistent approach to player pathway throughout our programme.
“I am genuinely excited to be back in the GB programme and hope to make a significant contribution to the sport over the next few years.”