Hockey Wales: Whapham leaves Ospreys for chief executive role

Hockey Wales has named Paul Whapham as its new chief executive.

He will take over in March 2023 after eight years at Welsh rugby team Ospreys, where he spent the last four years as corporate brand director.

Whapham is taking over from Ria Burrage-Male, who is leaving after taking over permanently in December 2019.

Whapham will have a seat on the British Hockey board and says he is moving to the sport at “an exciting time”.

He says there is “a strong club structure, significant opportunities, and space for innovation across the whole of the sport”.

Whapham had been influential in the establishment of Ospreys in the Community, the Swansea-based rugby team’s sports development charity initiative.