HOCKEY: Bann sign South African international

Brad Logan, a 24 year old defender has been playing for Stellenbosh University, where he won several national titles. He has represented the Western Province at U21 and Senior level, winning two interprovincial gold medals.

He has been involved in the South African international set up at Under 18 and 21 levels and last season he was called up to the senior South African squad.

Logan will join up with the Banbridge squad next week and will be eligible to face Railway Union on Saturday 29th November in the Irish Senior Cup.

“I’m delighted to be joining Banbridge,” he said.

“As one of the largest and most successful clubs in Ireland, this move to Banbridge offers me a lot of opportunities to further my hockey.

“Despite an ankle injury in the first part of the South African season, my return to fitness has seen me play some of the best hockey of my career recently winning the Men’s Interprovincial trophy with my province and being selected for the Senior South African squad. I look forward to starting training with the team and playing in the new EY IHL.”

Club Head Coach Mark Tumilty was delighted to add the star to his panel.

He said: “We look forward to welcoming Brad to the squad and he will begin training with us immediately. Brad will bring further depth to our exisiting squad and we believe that with his style of play, he will fit in well to the Bann set up. His experience in Africa combined with that of our current crop of Irish internationals will add a new dimension to the squad and indeed to the wider club.”

Head of Senior Hockey at Banbridge, Neil Madeley hoped Logan would have an impact on all sections of the club.

“We are delighted that Brad is joining us at Banbridge,” he said.

“Brad has just finished his university studies in South Africa and was seeking to expand his hockey experience in Ireland. Consequently via an ex coach, Banbridge had been recommended to him and he approached us about joining the club. We believed this was a great opportunity for both Brad and ourselves and officials within the club have been working hard to sort out the finer details. This is the first time we have had an international player from outside of Ireland playing at Bann so it is a new experience for us.

“His input will not just be limited to the playing side as it is hoped that Brad will bring his South African style of play to our juniors and ladies on the coaching side which will also greatly benefit the club and we are currently exploring widening his coaching remit to include some local schools. This again will benefit the development of hockey and the BHC brand in the local community. Hopefully this will allow him to meet a wide range of our members and settle in quickly to the club and town.”