Goalkeeper Harry Gibson has announced he is retiring from international hockey.
Across six years, Harry made a total of 77 international appearances, with 41 of those coming in a Great Britain shirt while 36 of those games were for England.
He played at the 2013 Youth Olympic Festival for Great Britain and, after being named the England Junior Performance Player of the Season in 2014/15, made his senior international debut for the country against Argentina in October 2015 before going on to feature in every game at the 2015 Hockey World League Final a few weeks later. He went on to help Great Britain win the 2017 Azlan Shah Cup and also appeared for the country in the first two seasons of the FIH Hockey Pro League, keeping a clean sheet alongside George Pinner as Great Britain’s men played the first ever game at The Stoop in June 2019.
Harry made his England debut in March 2017 and appeared at several major tournaments, winning European and Commonwealth Games bronze medals while also claiming bronze on home soil at the 2017 Hockey World League Semi-Finals in London. He also featured at the 2018 World Cup in India, helping England to a fourth-placed finish.
“To think this list of milestones is the same 12-year-old boy who first picked up a stick in Devon over 16 years ago is rather mind blowing,” Harry said.
“Of course, when you get there you realise it’s more about the people around you, the team and the relationships you build, the growth you experience as an individual testing yourself in an elite performance environment. For those relationships, those memories and those lessons, I’ll be forever grateful.
“I acknowledge I’m still young for a goalkeeper and likely still have a few years in the tank and, whilst this has by no means been an easy decision, it is one I have considered well over a period of years. I have not accomplished everything I set out to achieve in the sport, but the time has come where my passion for life off the pitch has outgrown that of life on it, and I’m excited about what this next chapter will hold.
“I will long treasure my time as an England and Great Britain international; the friends and memories I’ve made; the one, lonely gold medal I managed to win and the opportunities this brilliant sport has afforded me over the years.
“I can’t thank my wife, my family, and my friends enough for their support over the years. The same goes for every coach, teammate, and mentor along the way. From the 12-year-old boy breaking vases in the living room, to representing my country on the global stage, the journey was an absolute privilege.
Men’s head coach Danny Kerry added: “Harry’s many qualities will be sorely missed as he steps away from the squad. First and foremost, an outstanding keeper, with always a team first attitude. I will always remember the save he made against Spain in the 2019 European Cup that was absolute class.
“He is mature, balanced, thoughtful and, on the occasions he spoke, people listened. An advocate and prompter of people taking responsibility for their actions and performances, Harry’s subtle steering of the performance environment will also be hard to replace. I know Harry will be successful in whatever fields he follows next and I wish him the very best for the future.”
