‘I may be very wrong, but I don’t see Hockey 5s as a viable Olympic threat’

In an exclusive interview with Surbiton coach Mark Pearn this week, we also asked his thoughts on safety in hockey, Hockey 5s and if England can ever win a global title

In 2014, England Hockey stated its aim for the club game to be professionalised. Will the English club game ever go this way?

I don’t think it will ever happen. It is a pipe dream. We need to make do within the parameters we are in. I don’t think the FIH Pro League has financially been a success and we won’t be professional anytime soon. Yes, there are a few clubs who have a lot of money. It’s a great aim but we shouldn’t be pinning our hopes on it. Club hockey has a bigger role socially as a community over being professional.