Mark Ralph (field hockey)

Last updated

Mark Ralph
Personal information
Born (1980-02-10) 10 February 1980 (age 45)
Paisley, Scotland
Playing position Midfield
Senior career
YearsTeam
2001–2008 Kelburne
2008–2009 Klein Zwitzerland
2009–2013 Kelburne
National team
YearsTeamCaps
2007–2008 GB 24 (1)
2001–2010 Scotland 154 (74)

Mark Ralph (born 10 February 1980) is a former field hockey midfield player from Scotland.

Biography

Ralph earned his first cap for Scotland in 2001 against India. His cousin David was also capped for Scotland. [1] He was part of the Scotland Commonwealth Games team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. [2]

Ralph played his club hockey for Kelburne but after missing out on Olympic selection in 2008, he joined Dutch club Klein Zwitzerland afterwards. [1] On his return to Scotland he became the Player Coach of Kelburne HC for 5 seasons and helped the club achieve 11 National League titles in a row and compete with European clubs at the EHL, making the KO16 at his first attempt at coaching at this level.

While at Kelburne, Ralph played for Scotland during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. [3]

At retirement Ralph had won 154 caps for Scotland and 24 caps for Great Britain. He scored 74 goals Scotland and 1 goal for GB. [4] Ralph scored many of his goals due to a trademark drag flick.

Away from hockey, Ralph is a qualified Advanced Driving Instructor based in and around Glasgow. He also coaches at Glasgow Academy. In 2023, Ralph coached Clydesdale Western. [5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Hockey: End of an era as Mark Ralph retires". The Scotsman. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  2. "Scotland Commonwealth Games squad". BBC Sport. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  3. "HOCKEY: Kelburne stars dominate Commonwealth Games selection squad". Daily Record. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  4. "GB caps". Scottish Hockey. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  5. "Ralph could be the X factor for Clydesdale". Edinburgh Reporter. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2025.

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