The Manchester Storm Academy is delighted to welcome seven new Directors following the 2020 AGM.

Following a vote by the MSA members the following have been appointed Directors of the club and will join existing Directors John Hunt and Rachel Crawley.

Former Cardiff Devils and Sheffield Steelers head coach Gerad Adams. The Saskatchewan born former defenceman will add significant hockey experience in both playing, coaching and player/coach mentoring to the club.

Former Manchester Storm and Binghamton Senators Equipment Manager John Crawley. JC has spent much of the past 30 years working full time in ice hockey and brings a range expertise and knowledge to the boardroom.

Kim Painter has been involved in the Storm Academy Committee for a number of years and has been instrumental in helping the the club navigate through the complicated GDPR laws. Painter. who’s son Jayson is part of the U15s for age group for the coming season, has served as MSA’s Data Protection Officer for the past two seasons.

Alex Kilpatrick is a relatively new face to the Storm Academy, with son Aiken having completed his first year at the club with the U11s. Kilpatrick has a background in rugby and will offer the board plenty of experience of working with the local community to expose sport to potential new players.

Tony Pickup has a background in Tennis and has been with the Academy for a few years now with his son Ryan, who is in the U11s. Tony is a qualified football referee and brings in significant business experience to the MSA Board.

Jack Cooper is a long time Manchester Storm fan who has no affiliation to any players at the Academy, but brings a record of delivering grants to sports clubs. Jack has been involved in a shooting club and also in high level fencing giving her a unique perspective and range of skills which will undoubtedly add to the Storm Academy.

Simon Stubbs is another independent director with a long history of watching the Manchester Storm and the Altrincham Aces. Simon is a senior lawyer at Pinsent Masons LLP, an international law firm and can offer a range of experience to the Academy as well as extensive contact book.

The Board will meet in the next few days to agree on the role holders at the club and discuss how they want to take the Academy forward.

Commiserations to those who missed out, the Academy would love to see all of you involved in the club at Committee or coaching level as you have lots to offer the club.