The sound of sticks on turf has returned to Ranchi, and with it, the familiar sense of anticipation that accompanies the Hero Hockey India League.
For the SG Pipers women, the early days of training in Jharkhand mark more than a routine pre-season assembly. With the league scheduled to run from December 28, 2025 to January 10, 2026, this phase represents the foundation on which their campaign will be built shaped by fresh leadership, settled experience, and a collective resolve to convert preparation into performance.
The most notable change around the squad is on the sidelines. Belgian coach Sofie Gierts has taken charge as head coach, arriving in Ranchi ahead of the season to work closely with the players during this critical window. She is supported by former India captain Helen Mary, whose presence brings continuity, context, and an invaluable understanding of Indian hockey culture. Together, the coaching duo offers a blend of international perspective and domestic insight, a combination increasingly central to success in short-format leagues.
For Gierts, the early focus has been on clarity rather than overhaul. “It feels great to be part of this talented group in person, especially in a hockey-crazy city like Ranchi,” she said after joining the team. “The team is well balanced and every player is keen to get started. The focus now is on starting our preparation the right way and ensuring we are united and ready when the league begins.”
On the field, the Pipers arrive with leadership and form in equal measure. Captain Navneet Kaur continues to be the emotional and tactical centre of the side. In 2025, she crossed the 200 international caps mark, a milestone that reflects both longevity and relevance at the highest level. Over the past year, Navneet has remained a dependable presence in India’s forward line, combining relentless work rate with the ability to deliver in high-pressure moments. Her role within the Pipers goes beyond goals; she sets the tempo, drives standards in training, and anchors the attacking structure.
Behind her, Udita’s influence at the back provides balance to the side. Coming off one of the strongest seasons of her career, Udita was named Player of the Tournament at the Women’s Asia Cup 2025. Her three goals from penalty corners underlined her attacking value, but it was her composure and organisation in defence that truly stood out. For the Pipers, Udita’s presence offers stability in the circle an area that often decides matches in tight league contests.
What adds further depth to the squad is its international composition. Players from multiple hockey-playing nations form part of the group, giving the Pipers tactical variety and flexibility across positions. In a compressed tournament where recovery time is minimal and back-to-back fixtures are the norm, such adaptability can be decisive. It allows the coaching staff to rotate smartly, manage workloads, and adjust game plans based on opposition and conditions.
The midfield, featuring names like Sunelita Toppo, Kaitlin Nobbs, and Juana Morello, is expected to be the engine room of the side. Their ability to link defence and attack, control transitions, and absorb pressure will be central to how the Pipers function as a unit. Up front, the blend of Indian attackers and overseas forwards offers different profiles from pace and pressing to strength in the circle.
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Goalkeeping, too, appears well covered with Bansari Solanki and Cristina Cosentino providing contrasting styles and experience. In a league where shootouts and late goals can swing momentum rapidly, reliability between the posts becomes a quiet but critical asset.
Captain Navneet Kaur echoed the sense of readiness within the group. “The preparation heading into this season has been positive, and there is a strong sense of clarity and confidence within the group,” she said. “The players are motivated, focused, and excited about what lies ahead.”
For the SG Pipers women, the objective this season is clearly defined. Past campaigns have offered lessons, and the emphasis now is on sharper execution particularly in the attacking and defensive circles and sustaining intensity across all four quarters. With Ranchi hosting the league once again, the familiarity of conditions and the support of a knowledgeable crowd offer both comfort and challenge.
The fixtures ahead leave little room for a slow start. The Pipers open against Ranchi Royals on December 28, followed by a sequence of closely spaced matches against Soorma Hockey Club and Rarh Bengal Tigers. Consistency across this stretch will be vital, especially with the league’s unforgiving format rewarding momentum as much as skill.
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As training sessions continue and combinations begin to settle, the SG Pipers women appear aligned in purpose. A new voice guides them from the sidelines, but the hunger on the turf remains unchanged. When the whistle blows on December 28, preparation will give way to performance and the Pipers will be ready to test themselves, one quarter at a time.
