Netherlands’ Sjoerd Marijne named head coach of Indian women’s hockey team

The Indian women’s hockey team has welcomed back a familiar face as Sjoerd Marijne from the Netherlands has been appointed the new head coach. This marks his return to the team after more than four years. Marijne earlier coached the Indian women’s team from 2017 to 2021 and played a key role in shaping one of the most successful periods in the team’s history.

Under his guidance, the Indian women’s hockey team achieved a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The team came very close to winning a medal and lost the bronze match by a narrow margin. One of the most memorable moments from that campaign was India’s victory over Australia in the quarter-finals, which shocked the hockey world.

Marijne’s return has been welcomed by players, officials, and fans alike. Many believe his experience and understanding of the Indian team will help the players perform better at upcoming international tournaments.

Return of a familiar coach

Sjoerd Marijne’s appointment comes at an important time for Indian women’s hockey. The team is preparing for major international events, and Hockey India wanted an experienced coach who already knows the strengths and challenges of the squad. Marijne’s earlier success made him a natural choice for the role.

The Dutch coach has said he is very happy to be back. He shared that returning to the Indian team after four and a half years feels special and exciting. According to him, he is coming back with fresh energy and a clear plan to help the players grow and reach their full potential on the global stage.

During his previous stint, Marijne focused strongly on fitness, discipline, and teamwork. These areas helped the Indian women improve their speed, stamina, and confidence, especially during the Tokyo Olympics. Hockey India has once again highlighted fitness as a key focus area under his leadership.

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Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey welcomed Marijne and the support staff. He thanked the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India for speeding up the appointment process. He said this was done to ensure that the team’s preparation for upcoming World Cup qualifiers is not affected.

Dr Tirkey also said that fitness was one of the main reasons behind India’s historic performance at the Tokyo Olympics. He expressed hope that Marijne’s second term would be productive and help the team achieve more success in the future.

Support staff and upcoming plans

Sjoerd Marijne will be assisted by Matias Vila, who has been appointed as the analytical coach. Vila is a former international hockey player from Argentina. He made his international debut in 1997 and represented his country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2004 Athens Olympics.

After retiring from international hockey, Vila moved into coaching and analysis. He has more than 20 years of experience and is known for his deep understanding of the game. As an analytical coach, his role will include studying match data, analysing opponents, and helping players improve their decision-making on the field.

The combination of Marijne’s leadership and Vila’s analytical skills is expected to strengthen the Indian women’s hockey team. Hockey experts believe this support system will help players prepare better for high-pressure matches.

Marijne’s first major assignment as head coach will be the Women’s World Cup qualifiers. These matches will be held in Hyderabad, Telangana, from March 8 to March 14. The qualifiers are extremely important, as they will decide India’s place in the next Women’s Hockey World Cup.

Before that, Marijne will arrive in India on January 14. Soon after his arrival, a national coaching camp will begin on January 19 at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru. This camp will focus on fitness training, tactical planning, and team bonding.

The coaching camp will give Marijne enough time to assess players, understand their current form, and build the best possible team for the qualifiers. Players are expected to undergo intense physical training along with technical and tactical sessions.

The return of Sjoerd Marijne has raised hopes for a strong future for Indian women’s hockey. With his past success, clear vision, and experienced support staff, fans are optimistic that the team can once again challenge the world’s best and aim for medals at major tournaments.

As preparations begin, all eyes will be on how the team performs under Marijne’s guidance in the upcoming months.