Nick Bandurak finds new home in HIL after being sacked as Holcombe women's team coach

England and Great Britain forward Nick Bandurak’s contract with the Holcombe men’s team was also terminated.

English forward Nick Bandurak didn’t quite have a good last week but in the end, has something to celebrate. The 31-year-old forward was acquired by the Kalinga Lancers for Rs 5 lakhs (€5,460 approx.) at the recently concluded Hockey India League auction. Initially unsold in the first round, Bandurak—who represents England and Great Britain internationally—was roped in by Kalinga in the closed auction later that evening.

A week ago, he was removed from his club Holcombe Hockey Club—both as a player in the men’s team and also as the head coach of the women’s team. Holcombe Club is based in Rochester, Kent, England and was founded in 1999.

This decision came as a shock to the player, who expressed his disappointment and said he was removed against his will and “absolutely gutted.” In a tweet, Bandurak also said that he would be looking forward to finding another club that would see the value that he could offer.

Absolutely gutted to be removed from my team and my club against my will. I’ll be using this next month to get back to match fitness and hopefully find a club that sees the value I can bring. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and the opportunities now available to me. https://t.co/foYUVFfPxh

— Nick Bandurak (@NickBandurak23) October 6, 2024

A week later, he’s now set to be part of the inaugural edition of the revamped Hockey India League (HIL) after being signed up by the Kalinga Lancers. It came on the same day as Holcombe HC made a public statement about the player’s removal from the club.

“After a committee meeting, careful consideration and much deliberation, the club has further decided that Nick will be asked to leave his role as a head coach of the Women’s 1XI, effective immediately,” the club said in its statement.

The decision comes after the club also decided against renewing his contract for the men’s team, which plays in the Premier Division in the England Hockey League. His contract was reportedly terminated following a rift with the men’s head coach and director Kwan Browne. As a player, Bandurak scored more than 200 goals for Holcombe.

Also Read: Top 10 most expensive players at Hockey India League auction

While as a coach of the women’s team, he guided the team to promotion back into the Premier Division in 2023-24. The club also reached the final of the England Hockey Tier One Championship, where they finished as runners-up.

So long, Geezers 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/tVmZSGmX1Y

— Nick Bandurak (@NickBandurak23) October 5, 2024

In its statement, the club, “he has established himself as a top-quality coach, overseeing the progression of junior players into the England National Age Group squads, among his other achievements.”

Internationally, Nick has played over 58 matches for Great Britain and England. He has also scored 43 goals in his international career. At 31, Nick will eye a fresh start in the Hockey India League with a new team in a new league.

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