A new era for Sheffield Scimitars has started as team owners, Ian Johnson and Gary Apsley, announced the appointment of a new Head Coach. Jon Rowbotham was confirmed as their first signing for the forthcoming season in what they see as a massive step in the right direction to bring success back to the Scimitars.
Mr Rowbotham is considered by many inside the sport to be a talented, tactical coach. He has won several junior championships throughout the junior age groups, with his most successful achievement being the recent Gold medal won with GB U18s in the European championship.
Upon announcing the appointment today, Ian Johnson said “We received many expressions of interest from some highly accomplished and respected coaches and we were humbled by the level of interest in the position, but I guess that interest explains just how highly the club is regarded in English ice hockey”. He added “When I met Jon last week and we chatted about the future of the Scimitars, it was clear to me that he was the man for us as we have the same outlook and aspirations on so many levels that I found him compelling”.
As the current Head Coach with the Scimitars’ Junior Academy and the Scimitars ENL team, Rowbotham is a household name in Sheffield and a man whose credentials speak for themselves. It is not just Johnson who thinks he is the right man for the job, Gary Apsley was also quick to heap praise on their new signing. He said “We are very happy with our first signing, and I am sure that Jon will bring fast flowing hockey to the Scimitars. He is a tactical coach who builds his team from the back, looking to shut out opponents before taking offensive chances, as and when they arrive. This is a big chance for Jon, and we have every confidence in his ability to build a successful team over the summer and have them ready for the 2009/10 season.”
Mr Rowbotham has been part of the furniture in Sheffield ice hockey for more than a decade and he has played a major part in the development of the region’s young elite athletes as he has coached at regional conference and national level. Indeed he already has strong links with a crop of budding homegrown talent, most of whom featured in Team GB’s historic gold medal victory in Estonia last month. A number of players who were coached by Rowbotham at Sheffield played their part for Team GB and no doubt they will be given their chance for the Scimitars when the time comes.
The Scimitars have a history of icing Sheffield youth talent on their roster and players like Robert Farmer, Ben Bowns and Tom Squires are all players who tasted EPL action last season and next season may present similar opportunities to up and coming youngsters from Sheffield who have already tasted international success. All of this bodes well for the future of ice hockey in Sheffield and with his experiences gained working in the junior ranks Rowbotham is seen as a catalyst for bringing together the junior and senior elements of Sheffield hockey.
Rowbotham’s credentials as a junior coach are impeccable, indeed the highlights from his young career are impressive; gaining promotion to Division 1 at IIHF World Championship by winning gold, picking-up the silver medal in 2008, ENL 1 league and cup double winner in 2008/9, U19 regional and national champions 2006/7 all in addition to managing the day-to-day operations of one of the country’s most successful junior ice hockey clubs, Sheffield. In his twelve years as a coach at Sheffield, Rowbotham has delivered 10 League titles, 8 National Championships and two Cups.
Speaking about his appointment, Rowbotham said “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to coach the Sheffield Scimitars next season. With Ian and Gary’s support, I am sure we can form a team that will restore the Scimitars’ past glory through a successful season and make the people of Sheffield proud”.
