St Albans Hockey Club have appointed Martin Scanlon as their new head coach.

England internationals Ellie Watton and Sarah Embrey have taken on the roles of ladies first team captain and ladies club captain respectively while Scanlon will be the new club head coach for the coming season.

Watton, who is also a GB international, is a Commonwealth Games silver medallst and Embrey has represented the England Masters since 2011.

Scanlon represented England at all junior levels and played for Great Britain Under-21s during the 2009 Youth Olympics in Australia. He won the English Premier League twice with Beeston Hockey Club. His brother Ian, who is a former England Under-21 goalkeeper, will also be joining the club this year as an outfield player.

Men's first team head coach Andy Halliday said: "We expect another tough year ahead, many of the teams around us have strengthened. However, the addition of the Scanlon brothers and the development of a positive culture and structure around the top of the club should see us challenging for promotion once again for that coveted National League place."

Ladies head coach Hannah Macleod said: "We are currently going through an exciting period of change at the club and we have worked hard in the off-season to ensure this momentum continues. Current GB and England international, Ellie Watton, has been appointed first team captain with Amy Kee and Emma O’Nien appointed vice-captains. With this strong leadership group driving the team forward, we are once again looking forward to challenging for the top spot in the league this season."

Club training for men and ladies starts 7.30pm on Wednesday, August 19 at Oaklands College and new members are welcome.