Sjoerd Marijne Reappointed as Chief Coach of Indian Women’s Hockey Team

A Return to Familiar Territory

Dutch coach Sjoerd Marijne has been reinstated as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, marking his return after a successful tenure that concluded in 2021. This decision follows Marijne’s remarkable contribution, which played a pivotal role in the team achieving a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Previous Achievements and Future Goals

Marijne previously led the team from 2017 to 2021, a period during which the Indian women’s team climbed into the world’s top 10 rankings and came close to clinching an Olympic medal in Tokyo. Upon his reappointment, Marijne will aim to build on this progress as the team gears up for a crucial year ahead.

Support Staff Enhancements

To support his efforts, Marijne will be joined by Matias Vila as the analytical coach. Vila, a former Argentine midfielder, has an impressive background, having represented his country in both the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games. His extensive coaching experience spans over two decades.

Additionally, Wayne Lombard will rejoin the Indian coaching setup as the scientific advisor and head of athletic performance. Lombard will be aided by Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila, who have been appointed as scientific advisors, enhancing the overall performance framework.

Coach’s Vision for the Team

Expressing his excitement about returning, Marijne stated on X, “It’s great to be back. After 4.5 years, I return with fresh energy and a clear vision to support the team’s growth and help the players achieve their full potential on the world stage.”

Major Upcoming Event: Women’s World Cup Qualifiers

Marijne’s first significant assignment will be the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled for March 8 to 14 in Hyderabad, Telangana. He is expected to arrive in India on January 14, with the National Coaching Camp commencing shortly after on January 19 at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Bengaluru.

Official Welcome

Welcoming Marijne back, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey stated, “We welcome Sjoerd Marijne and the entire support staff to the Indian Hockey family.” He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and SAI for their swift support, emphasizing the importance of fitness—a key pillar of India’s success in Tokyo—in the upcoming phase.

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