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Hockey India (HI) confirmed that Sjoerd Marijne has returned to lead the Indian women’s hockey team. The 51-year-old Dutchman’s appointment marks the beginning of a second stint with the squad, bringing a familiar and proven leadership style back to the dressing room.
Sjoerd Marijne takes over as India women's hockey team
Marijne is best remembered by Indian fans for his transformative first tenure, during which he guided the women's team to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. His return is widely seen as an attempt to recapture the momentum and tactical discipline that defined that era of Indian women's hockey.
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Sjoerd Marijne comes in as Harendra Singh's replacement
The coaching vacancy was created by the recent resignation of Harendra Singh, who stepped down from the role last month. Harendra had initially taken over from Janneke Schopman, the two-time Olympic medalist who resigned in February 2024 following India’s disappointment in failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics. With Marijne back at the helm, the team looks to rebuild its standing on the world stage.
“It’s great to be back. After four-and-a-half 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 in a statement.
Joining the newly restructured coaching staff is Argentina’s Matias Vila, who has been appointed as the team's analytical coach. A seasoned veteran of the sport, Vila brings over two decades of coaching expertise and a decorated playing resume, having represented Argentina as a midfielder in both the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
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The support staff also sees the return of Dr. Wayne Lombard, who resumes his role as scientific advisor and head of athletic performance. To ensure the players reach peak physical condition, Lombard will be assisted by a specialized team consisting of Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila, who both join the squad as scientific advisors.
Women in Blue set sights on CWG, World Cup, Asian Games
Sjoerd Marijne is scheduled to arrive in India today, January 14, to begin his second stint, with the national coaching camp set to kick off in Bengaluru five days later. His immediate priority will be preparing the team for his first major challenge: the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, which are scheduled to take place in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14. The team will then set their sights on the Commonwealth Games 2026 followed by Hockey World Cup 2026 and Asia Cup 2026.
Marijne’s first tenure, which spanned from 2017 to 2021, was defined by a steady rise in the Indian women’s team's international standing. Under his leadership, the squad reached the Hockey World League semi-finals in 2017 and consistently performed on the continental stage. These efforts were rewarded with silver medals at both the 2018 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy and the Asian Games in Jakarta.
The pinnacle of this period was the team's successful journey to the Tokyo Olympics. In 2019, Marijne guided India through a high-stakes FIH Olympic Qualifier against the United States, where they secured their Olympic berth with a thrilling 6-5 aggregate victory. This paved the way for their eventual historic run in Tokyo, cementing Marijne's reputation as a pivotal figure in the team's development.
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