Hockey India on Friday announced the return of Sjoerd Marijne as the Chief Coach of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, marking a significant moment for the national setup ahead of a crucial international calendar. The Dutch coach, widely credited for guiding India to their historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games, returns to the fold after nearly five years, bringing with him experience, familiarity, and renewed ambition.
Marijne previously coached the Indian women’s team between 2017 and 2021, a period that saw the side achieve unprecedented consistency on the global stage. Under his leadership, India not only reached the Olympic semifinals for the first time but also climbed into the top 10 of the FIH world rankings, signaling a shift in the team’s competitiveness and belief.
Strengthening the coaching group further, Matias Vila has been appointed as Analytical Coach. A former Argentine international midfielder, Vila represented his country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2004 Athens Olympics. Since retiring from international hockey, he has spent nearly two decades in coaching and performance analysis, adding valuable tactical insight to the Indian setup.
Another familiar face making a comeback is Dr Wayne Lombard, who returns as Scientific Advisor and Head of Athletic Performance. Lombard played a key role in improving the team’s physical standards during the Tokyo cycle. He will be assisted by Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila, both appointed as Scientific Advisors, reinforcing Hockey India’s renewed emphasis on fitness, recovery, and long-term athlete development.
Marijne’s immediate focus will be the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana, from March 8 to March 14, 2026. He is set to arrive in India on January 14, with the national coaching camp beginning on January 19 at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru.
Welcoming the appointments, Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey highlighted the importance of continuity and fitness, thanking the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Sports Authority of India for fast-tracking the process
With experienced leadership back at the helm, Indian women’s hockey will hope to build on past success and take the next big step on the global stage.
