England Roller Hockey (ERH) has made a bold move by appointing Jordi Camps and Josep Maria Barberà, two highly experienced Catalan coaches, to lead the Senior Men’s and Women’s national teams into the 2025 European Championships and 2026 World Roller Games. While their credentials are undeniable, this decision raises important questions:
Is this the right direction for England?
Do we lack homegrown coaching talent?
Why do we continue to invest in foreign expertise rather than developing our own?
Do other nations follow the same approach?
And what does this mean for Carlos Amaral, England’s long-standing National Coaching Director?
A Step Forward or a Step Back?
There’s no doubt that Camps and Barberà bring a wealth of experience. Camps has led the Catalonia Senior Men’s Team to multiple international successes, including victories at the FIRS World Cup “B” and Copa America, while Barberà has helped build one of the strongest women’s teams in Europe. Their tactical knowledge and ability to get the best out of players are key assets. ERH President Kos Galtos described their appointments as a “transformative moment” for English roller hockey, giving players access to elite coaching that could push them to new levels.
However, does this come at the expense of England’s own coaching development? While investing in high-level expertise is beneficial, the long-term strategy must include nurturing local coaches who understand the domestic game and can build sustainable success. If England continues to rely on external appointments, how will we ever create a lasting coaching pipeline?
Where Does This Leave Carlos Amaral?
One of the biggest questions surrounding this move is what it means for Carlos Amaral, England’s long-serving National Coaching Director. Amaral has been a key figure in shaping English roller hockey, overseeing the development of both players and coaches for years.
Is this new direction a sign that ERH is moving away from his leadership? Will Amaral remain in place to help integrate Camps and Barberà into the setup, or is this the beginning of a transition away from his influence?
According to the official announcement, Amaral played a pivotal role in bringing the Catalan coaches on board. He stated:
“Having these two top-tier coaches on board is an incredible opportunity for England. It’s not just about the immediate tournaments but about raising the level of coaching throughout the country. Jordi and Josep will help establish a stronger foundation for English roller hockey, ensuring that future generations benefit from the experience they bring.”
This suggests that rather than being sidelined, Amaral may be embracing this collaboration as a way to elevate English coaching standards. However, the extent of his role moving forward remains to be seen. Will he be leading the long-term coaching development program alongside the new arrivals, or is he being phased out?
How Have They Performed in Emerging Hockey Nations?
Both Camps and Barberà have worked with national teams in developing roller hockey countries, with varying degrees of success:
Jordi Camps: Coached South Africa, Colombia, and Brazil, helping raise their competitive levels and improve coaching structures.
Josep Maria Barberà: Led both men’s and women’s national teams in South Africa, Brazil, Mozambique, and Chile, guiding Chile to a Pan-American runner-up finish in 2018.
While their experience in developing nations shows they are capable of improving teams outside of traditional roller hockey powerhouses, the question remains: Can they have the same transformative impact in England, which has different challenges and a longer-established hockey scene?
Is This the Norm in International Roller Hockey?
Looking at other nations, the appointment of foreign coaches is not uncommon. Many successful teams in various sports bring in external expertise to elevate their programs. However, major roller hockey nations like Spain, Portugal, and Italy rarely bring in foreign coaches for their national teams. Instead, they rely on a deep pool of domestic talent developed through strong coaching structures.
So why does England feel the need to outsource its coaching? If the goal is to improve, should ERH not focus on enhancing its own coaching infrastructure instead of continuously seeking external solutions?
The Financial Aspect: How Much Does This Cost?
Another key concern is funding. Bringing in top-level coaches from a powerhouse like Catalonia is unlikely to come cheap. While ERH has not disclosed the financial details of these appointments, it’s worth questioning whether this money could be better spent on:
Developing English coaches
Creating better domestic leagues
Improving grassroots programs
Other nations prioritise coaching education within their own systems. If England is serious about long-term success, perhaps the focus should be on upskilling domestic coaches to reach the same elite level as their foreign counterparts, rather than repeatedly hiring from abroad.
ERH President Responds: What’s Next for English Coaching?
In response to our inquiries, ERH President Kos Galtos has assured us that he will provide further details on what ERH is doing to develop English coaching talent moving forward. His commitment to addressing these concerns is encouraging, and we look forward to hearing more about the federation’s plans in the coming weeks.
While the arrival of Camps and Barberà is undoubtedly a bold and exciting move, the real test will be whether ERH is building towards a sustainable future for English roller hockey—one that doesn’t just rely on imported expertise but fosters homegrown talent as well.
Conclusion: A Short-Term Boost, But What About the Future?
There is no denying that Camps and Barberà could bring immediate improvements to England’s senior teams. Their knowledge, experience, and winning mentality may well help England compete at a higher level.
However, the long-term impact of such decisions must be considered. If England continues to look overseas for coaching solutions, it risks failing to build a sustainable future for the sport domestically.
And then there’s the Amaral question—does this move signal the beginning of the end for his influence in English roller hockey, or will he play a key role in shaping this new era? If he remains a central figure, how will his coaching philosophy align with the new appointments?
So, is this appointment a game-changer or a temporary fix? Will it lead to a stronger England, or will we be asking the same questions in a few years when another foreign coach is brought in?
And most importantly, what is being done to ensure that, in the future, the next Jordi Camps or Josep Maria Barberà comes from within England itself?
What do you think? Should England continue looking abroad for coaching expertise, or is it time to invest more in developing domestic talent? We’ll bring you more as soon as ERH shares their plans—but until then, the debate continues.
