Women's First Team Hockey Coach

Our Women’s  section is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated performance coach to lead first team squad training and manage the team on match days.

You would be working closely with the Women’s club captain, first team captain and second team leadership to help improve our Women’s performance squads and assist with the development of young players.

Our Women’s first team currently play in the South East Women's Division 1 West. We have a committed squad of players largely in their 20s and early 30s looking to continue improving year to year. 

The aim for the coming years is to balance performance with continuing to improve the pathway for talented juniors, making the first team increasingly reachable for young players coming up through the club. We hope in the medium term to push on into South East Premier League, making our club an attractive destination for performance players in a competitive region. The ideal candidate would see this is as a multi-year opportunity to not just work with a talented squad, but also contribute to the growth of the club.

We have a sizeable and strong junior section and is currently going through the England Hockey Talent Centre accreditation process (having been accepted into cohort 2). It is a welcoming and friendly club and offer Back to Hockey session during the summer months along with Summer 6s hockey as well as the normal winter league.

We are looking for a motivated and experienced coach to join us at this exciting time; someone who will share in the ambition for the section, bring technical and tactical expertise to the squad, become an integral member of the coaching set up. 

The team trains once a week with league fixtures are on a Saturday. For the right individual, we are an ideal stepping-stone club (for example for a current National League assistant coach or for an up and coming coach who wants to prove their mettle by taking a side from Prem into the National League). We are also open to coaches who still play National League hockey, provided that they can make the midweek training and a majority of Saturday fixtures. 

Full details of the role and responsibilities are available on request and there are also opportunities to provide additional/wider coaching within the club for those looking for a broader role (it is not in any way a requirement that applicants are looking for such a wider role). 

For this position we would be asking for commitment to the below responsibilities:

• Coordinate with other coaches and captains to select the squads with both team performance and individual development in mind
• Work with coaches and club leadership to ensure development throughout the club and to attract new players.
• Monitor performance, commitment and provide feedback on a team and individual level
• Develop and implement training programs for the team, focusing on skill development, game strategy, and teamwork.
• Travel with the Women’s 1XI on Saturdays to manage gameplay and adapt tactics to achieve results.
• Foster a positive team environment, promoting sportsmanship and teamwork among players

Requirements:

• A deep passion for the game of field hockey and a desire to share that passion with others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire players.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• DBS and safeguarding certifications required
• First aid and CPR certification is a plus.
• We are located at Southdowns’ Sport Club in Lewes, which has its own onsite Astroturf (relayed in 2020), with 17 Tennis courts, 4 Squash courts and Club House. A 10 min walk from Lewes Rails Station and cica 1 hour train journey from Clapham Junction.
• Lewes Hockey Club, Southdowns’ Sports Club, Cockshut Road, Lewes, East Sussex. 

If you are a motivated and experienced Hockey Coach who is passionate about the sport and eager to help players develop their skills and achieve success, we encourage you to apply. We offer a competitive remuneration, a supportive team environment, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our players