Barratt Announces Retirement from U.S. Men's National Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – U.S. Men’s National Team athlete Tom Barratt (Greensboro, N.C.) has announced his retirement from the team. The 30-year-old competed in 78 international matches and had an extensive playing career for the red, white and blue.

Barratt first started playing when he was 8 years old after a friend took him to a West Bridgford Hockey Club session one Sunday morning. From then, he was hooked and spent the rest of his winter weekends with a stick in his hand.

He joined the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2014 and has been a staple on the squad since. On the international stage, he helped USA to first place finishes at the 2016 FIH Hockey World League Round 1 and 2018 Hockey Series Open, both in Salamanca, Mexico. Other notably achievements were bronze medals at the 2017 Pan American Cup in Lancaster, Pa. and 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, ending a 24-year medal drought in that event. He participated in countless series and tours spanning across the global to countries like India, South Korea and all over Europe.

Barratt notes that he really enjoyed traveling to play in so many new and great cities as a highlight of his career, but the pinnacle was winning the Pan American Games bronze after missing out back in 2015.

“It was a phenomenal experience that was a huge part of 8 years of my life,” commented Barratt, about being part of Team USA. “It allowed me to discover a little bit more about myself which I didn’t know I had. Some tough times and some great times but really just a lot of fun, all of the time.” 

Along with playing for USA, Barratt was also part of Sheffield Hockey Club while studying at university and was promoted in the first-time in the club’s history to the Premier division in England. In his second year, he helped them win the British Universities Championship. He also played four years in the Premier Hockey League in England on Root-Wit (Holland) and White Star (Belgium). He closed out his club career playing for Wimbledon, where they finished with a spot in the playoffs, which were canceled due to the pandemic.

Over the past four years, Barratt also was the head of hockey at two different private schools in London.

Barratt would like to thank all the men’s athletes that he has played with over the years.

“I think we were all in it for each other, all the time and that really made it special,” added Barratt. “A big special mention to Pim Wijzenbeek who gave me a few mantras which I still try to live by now and gave me more of his time than any other coach in my playing career. But all the coaches throughout my time were great with me - or great at putting up with me.”

Barratt is enjoying the extra time he has to spend with his wife, Marion, and dog, and hopes to get in a few more rounds of golf. He has accepted a role as account manager at Dell Technologies.

USA Field Hockey would like to send best wishes to Barratt in his future endeavors.