Hockey India has turned to a familiar and trusted figure as it looks to chart the next phase of the Indian women’s hockey team’s journey, appointing Sjoerd Marijne as the chief coach.
The Dutchman returns to the Indian setup nearly five years after guiding the team to its most historic Olympic performance at the Tokyo Games, where India finished fourth, their best-ever result, and only the second Olympic appearance in more than three decades.
Marijne’s appointment signals a clear intent from Hockey India: to rebuild consistency, fitness standards, and belief ahead of a demanding international cycle that includes World Cup qualification and the upcoming Asian Games. His return is not merely symbolic. It is rooted in a proven understanding of the Indian ecosystem and a coaching philosophy that previously helped the women’s team break into the world’s top 10.
During his first stint between 2017 and 2021, Marijne oversaw a period of steady growth, culminating in India’s stirring run at Tokyo 2020. The campaign redefined perceptions of Indian women’s hockey globally, with the team narrowly missing out on a medal but earning widespread respect for its intensity, tactical discipline, and physical resilience.
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“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,” Marijne said upon his reappointment.
A key feature of this new coaching structure is the return of the high-performance ecosystem that underpinned the Tokyo success. Marijne will be supported by Dr Wayne Lombard as Scientific Advisor and Head of Athletic Performance. Lombard was a crucial figure during the Olympic cycle, widely credited with elevating the team’s fitness benchmarks, injury management protocols and recovery processes. His role then was often cited as a decisive factor in India’s ability to compete physically with the world’s best across consecutive high-intensity matches.
Joining Lombard in the science and performance unit are Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila, both appointed as Scientific Advisors, strengthening a support system that Hockey India clearly views as central to sustained international competitiveness.
On the analytical front, Matias Vila has been named as the team’s Analytical Coach. A former Argentine international midfielder, Vila brings with him vast playing and coaching experience. He made his international debut in 1997 and represented Argentina at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Over the past two decades, Vila has built a reputation as a sharp tactical mind, and his inclusion points towards a more data-driven and opposition-specific preparation model.
Marijne’s immediate focus will be on the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana, from March 8 to 14, 2026. With qualification on the line, there is little room for transition time. Marijne is set to arrive in India on January 14, while the national coaching camp will begin on January 19 at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility in Bengaluru.
Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey welcomed the appointment, underlining the urgency and intent behind the decision. “We welcome Sjoerd Marijne, and the entire support staff to the Indian Hockey family. We extend our gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) for expediting the appointment in order to ensure the team’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers is not hampered,” he said.
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Dr Tirkey also highlighted fitness as a non-negotiable priority. “Emphasis has been laid on the fitness of the team, which was one of the key reasons for Indian Women’s historic performance in Tokyo. We look forward to a fruitful stint.”
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh echoed those sentiments, stressing continuity and familiarity as major advantages. “Sjoerd comes with the understanding of the team, many players in the core group have already played under him. We now expect this team to perform well, especially with the Asian Games coming up and the World Cup Qualifier,” he said.
For Indian women’s hockey, Marijne’s return represents more than a coaching change. It is a conscious attempt to reconnect with a period when belief, preparation, and performance aligned on the biggest stage. With World Cup qualification looming and long-term goals firmly in sight, the challenge now is to translate that familiarity into renewed momentum and this time, turn promise into podium finishes.
