Archive for category: International

HEAD COACH

IRELAND WOMEN’S HOCKEY NATIONAL TEAM

Hockey Ireland is seeking to appoint a senior women’s full-time Head Coach to lead the Irish Women’s Hockey National Team towards achieving its strategic objectives, namely to compete for medals at World and Olympic level tournaments.

About Hockey Ireland

Hockey Ireland is the National Governing Body for the sport of field hockey in Ireland. Governing the 32 counties of Ireland, the Association is responsible for the management and overall development of all areas of the sport.

Role Summary

Reporting to the Performance Director, the Head Coach will be responsible for providing world-class leadership and coaching to the Irish Women’s Hockey National Team

The Head Coach is required to work closely with key performance staff and will be specifically responsible for the assistant and specialist hockey coaches

Key responsibilities

• Coach the senior national women’s team using modern coaching techniques, tactics and trends
• Provide regular written reports to the Performance Director following all international events, while also providing programme reports as required
• Monitor and evaluate senior player performance for team selection using relevant data
  Utilise and coordinate coaches (hockey specific and other, e.g. strength and conditioning) to assist with development of playersA
• Alongside the Performance Director, develop and manage the programme and budget of the senior squad
• Communicate effectively with staff, players and relevant stakeholders
• Develop positive and constructive relationships within Irish Hockey (club coaches, administrators and dignitaries)
• Provide leadership, support and technical direction to Head Coaches of other Irish National Junior Age Grade Female Hockey Squads
• When required deliver coach education workshops and assist in mentoring and development of ‘home grown coaches’
• Be a key participant in the submission of government funding agency applications
• Utilise the Hockey Ireland Long-Term Player Development programme to maximise the potential of future international athletes
• Plan and implement a realistic programme to maximise use of resources and senior player availability
• Be a main contributor in the senior leadership team, contributing to long-term development of the wider performance programme, including but not limited to high performance
• Drive a positive high performance culture for players based both in Ireland and overseas
• Commitment to on-going personal development for the benefit of self and the programme
• Conduct other duties as requested by Performance Director or Chief Executive Officer

The required candidate

The successful candidate will be an experienced, driven, detail-focused and disciplined self-starter who is committed to bringing team success to the national team and developing the best of Ireland’s elite talent.

Experience and credentials:

The below experiences and credentials are not intended to be inclusive or exhaustive and may be amended over time due to the changing needs of the organisation.

• Proven record of success in international hockey
• Experience of world-class tournaments at the highest level (World Cup and Olympic level competition) in a coaching capacity
• Experience in planning, organising and implementing a comprehensive international coaching programme
• Ability to apply the principles of coaching, sport science, medicine and technology within a high performance programme
• Efficient and organised, with exceptional interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Level 3 and/or FIH coaching qualifications or equivalent (or working towards them)
• Proven methodologies in the development of elite talent and performance
• Exceptional people skills, with an emphasis on the management of player and coach personnel
• A competent knowledge of the latest coaching software systems
• A full driving licence
• Capacity to travel domestically and overseas for extended periods

Term

The contract role is through the Olympic cycle of 2020, with annual reviews. Shorter-term applications will also be considered.

Reporting to:

The process of reporting will be as determined by the Performance Director.

Remuneration Package

This is a full time position with a remuneration that will be commensurate with experience. It is conditional that the successful applicant must be able to live and work in Ireland.

Application Process

Candidates wishing to apply for this position should email CV with covering letter to adam.grainger@hockey.ie

Application deadline is Thursday 28th March 2019 at 5pm

Hockey Ireland has today accepted the resignation of senior women’s head coach Graham Shaw as he takes up the position of head coach of New Zealand’s senior international women. Shaw has long since been a member of the Hockey Ireland family both as a senior international player and as part of the coaching set up since 2010. He was assistant coach to Darren Smith before taking the head coach role in the summer of 2015 prior to the Eurohockey Championships II in Prague.

After nearly 4 years at the helm of the Green Army Graham is moving to New Zealand to take up the role with the world number 6, the Blacksticks offer an exciting challenge as they compete in the Pro League and have their sights firmly set on Tokyo 2020.

Speaking about the move, Shaw said “It was an honour to coach my country and I am very grateful for the opportunity. We have had some incredible times together that I will never forget. I have worked with an outstanding staff over many years; your professionalism, honesty and friendship will stay with me forever.

I would like to thank Hockey Ireland, Sport Ireland, SINI and Sport Northern Ireland for your unwavering support over the past years and long may it continue. I’d also like to recognise the staff of Hockey Ireland for all their work behind the scenes and their friendships over the past several years.

To the players I would like to say a massive thank you. Your drive, dedication and loyalty has been relentless and it has been an absolute pleasure to lead the program over the past 4 years. I would like to wish the squad all the best for the future. I hope you continue on this journey, inspiring the next generation of hockey players in Ireland and I hope to see you in Tokyo”.

The Green Army have gone from 16th to 8th in the world during Shaw’s tenure and qualified for their first World Cup since 2002. The recent 2018 World Cup is perhaps what Shaw will be most recognised for as he led the squad to an historic silver medal and a first ever World Cup final for any Irish team sport.

Jerome Pels, Hockey Ireland CEO, was quick to praise the legacy that Shaw leaves behind “We would like to thank Graham for all he has done for the senior women’s programme over the last several years. Graham has given a huge amount to Irish hockey over the last 2 decades both as a high-performance athlete and a coach. We wish Graham all the very best with this new opportunity with Hockey New Zealand”.

Performance Director Adam Grainger echoed Pels’ sentiment “Graham has undoubtedly left the Green Army programme in a better place and has put the building blocks in place for the squad to continue with this cycle successfully, with the primary goal being Olympic qualification. Graham’s commitment to the programme, both on and off the pitch, is a testament to his character and we wish him every success in the future”.

Green Army captain, Katie Mullan, also hailed Shaw’s influence “On behalf of the Green Army I would like to thank Graham for all that he has given to our team. He led us to a moment none of us will ever forget at the World Cup and the Blacksticks are very lucky to have him, we wish him all the best with this new adventure”.

Three Rock Rovers advanced to the EuroHockey Indoor Challenge I promotion pool as group winners in Oslo following an ever-improving set of performances.

Indeed, it could have been a very different complexion to their tournament had they lost their opening tie when they trailed Ukraine’s OKS SHVSM Vinnitsa 5-2 with four minutes to go.

But a quickfire run of three goals changed their whole momentum with Ross Canning scoring on the final hooter for what proved an important draw on Friday morning.

They backed that up with a 3-2 win over Cardiff & Met, pulling clear with two more late goals from Jody Hosking and Canning in the last five minutes.

It left them in second place overnight, facing the other leading side Bologna – both on seven points out of 10 – with a win confirming they would go through.

The first half was tight with the Italians on top but Conor Quinn kept Rovers’ noses in front 2-1 with a brilliant corner save. And then Rovers went on a second half rampage, scoring three times in quick succession after half-time to seal the win before running up another three goals late on for an 8-1 success.

Cardiff’s 2-2 draw with Vinnitsa, meanwhile, meant Rovers go through to the promotion pool along with Bologna, carrying with them the points and goal difference from that thumping win.

Reflecting on the group stages, coach Liam Canning said: “That comeback [against Vinnitsa] was massive. It comes from playing regularly in these tournaments indoors and in the EHL, the experience and belief the lads have to fight back is huge.

“They are developing that calmness and composure in tough situations. Against Bologna, it was tight in the first half with the Italians on top. We changed a few things at half time and played some outstanding stuff.

“Overall, we have a really good squad now and when we make subs, the standard doesn’t drop a level at all really. That makes a big difference. Quinner has made some big saves and Jamie [Carr] came in to keep things calm.”

Three Rock will now represent Ireland at the Euro club Trophy in February 2020. This is the first time since 1996 that Ireland have have had a men’s team at this level.

EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge I (Oslo, Norway)
Friday: HC OKS SHVSM Vinnitsa 5 Three Rock Rovers 5 (R Canning 2, J Hosking, H Morris, B Walker); Cardiff & Met 2 Three Rock Rovers 3 (E Geyer, J Hosking, R Canning)
Saturday: Hockey Club Bologna 1 Three Rock Rovers 8 (R Canning 2, H Morris 2, J Hosking, J McAllister, D Walsh, H Morris)

Standings: 1. Three Rock Rovers 12pts (+8) 2. Bologna 7pts (-5) 3. OKS SHVSM Vinnitsa 6pts (0) 4. Cardiff & Met 4pts (-3)

By Stephen Findlater, original article appeared here.

Mitch Darling has today announced his retirement from international hockey following more than a decade at the top of the game. Darling earned 183 international caps, the first of which came shortly after his 18th birthday against England in Poland and scored 51 goals for the Green Machine. He has been a Three Rock Rovers man from the start and has been heavily involved in much of the clubs most successful periods. Over the years, Darling has plied his trade amongst the best in the Dutch league with successful stints with clubs such as Rotterdam, Den Bosch and SCHC.

Darling was cognisant to recognise the coaches at all levels who played a role in his successful career “I want to thank the coaches who contributed significantly to my development during the early years from Wesley College and Three Rock Rovers. I’m eternally grateful to the Irish support staff and management, both past and present, who went above and beyond to help us perform on the pitch. As a player I think I really flourished under the tutelage of Paul Revington and Craig Fulton; incredible men and detailed coaches that revolutionised both the game and the players in Ireland”

Mitch Darling has been a constant figure for many of the Green Machine’s most memorable moments over the last several years including a European bronze medal in 2015 and historic Olympics Games and World Cup appearances. “When I got my first cap in 2006 I could never have dreamed reaching the heights we did. I am definitely privileged to have played with some of the best players to ever wear a green shirt. Being involved in such a special era holds some amazing memories and undoubtedly the biggest career defining moment was the Rio Olympics, an experience to be cherished forever”.

Head coach Alexander Cox paid tribute to Darlings’ contribution to the Green Machine “I want to congratulate Mitch on an amazing international career with The Green Machine. He has had an important influence on the successes that the team has enjoyed over the last 10 years. Not only because of his outstanding qualities as a player, but also as a great person in the group, we will miss him. As a new chapter in his life starts, I wish him all the best with his family and professional career”.

Darling concluded by thanking all those who played a role off the pitch “Thanks to everyone who has supported the team over the years, the supporters undoubtedly helped propel the team to where they are today. Thank you to Hockey Ireland and all the sporting bodies who supported us during the years. A huge thank you to my wife Erika, Mum, Dad, my brothers and sister for their unconditional support all along the way.

Finally, I just want to wish both the men’s and women’s teams all the very best for the upcoming qualification for Tokyo 2020”.

Hockey Ireland wants to thank Mitch for all he has done for the Green Machine and wish him every success for the future.