Mike Clancy has stepped down from his role as head coach of the Great Britain women’s team, Ice Hockey UK have confirmed.
Since taking up the role in 2021, Clancy helped guide GB Women to promotion from Division II Group A, followed by retaining the team’s position in Division I Group B over the following two seasons.
When first taking over from Cheryl Smith, Clancy admitted he was “honoured, privileged and humbled” to be asked to step up from assistant and lead the women’s national side.
Most recently, he oversaw GB Women’s Olympic Qualifiers as they narrowly missed out on the final stage of qualification for Milano Cortina 2026 after a narrow defeat to the Netherlands.
“I would like to thank Ice Hockey UK, the board and all involved in the Great Britain Women’s Programme for giving me the opportunity to lead this group over the past four years,” Clancy said following news of his departure.
“I’m proud of what we have achieved collectively, and could not have done so without a dedicated backroom team who were equally committed to the success of the women’s game, and in elevating the programme as a whole.
“I leave the programme in great shape, knowing that the next phase is crucial – and understand wholeheartedly the need for a full-time coach for the GB Women’s programme – where the professionalism and time to develop the GB Women and support programme will be critical in matching the ambition of the IHUK Board.”
Who next for GB?

Photo credit: Ice Hockey UK
Ice Hockey UK – as part of their strategic goal of ‘professionalise to perform’ – will soon open a recruitment process for a full-time head coach for GB Women, who will also oversee the whole women’s programme.
The organisation’s chief executive officer, Henry Staelens, said: “Mike leaves the position with our best wishes, and a tremendous amount of thanks for the work he has done during his time as head coach of GB Women.
“As an organisation, we are committed to transforming and evolving the GB programme, both across men’s and women’s, to give our phenomenal athletes and coaches the very best opportunities of success in the coming years.
“This requires bold changes, and we are unwavering in our commitment to move the women’s game forward.”
Andrew Partridge, IHUK’s head of performance, said that the GB women’s programme was “ready to push on to the next level”, adding that the next aim is to build on the progress made in recent years as GB look to secure qualification for the 2030 Winter Olympics in France.
Great Britain Women have never reached the Winter Olympics, while the men’s team last qualified for the showpiece event in 1948.
“We thank [Mike] for the years of service to the team and wish him all the best as he now concentrates on his Deeside Dragons season,” Partridge added.
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