GB Hockey great Maddie Hinch has signed a deal with USA women as goalkeeping coach ahead of their Olympic campaign at Paris 2024.
Hinch, who was awarded her OBE last week, made her first steps into coaching this season after becoming assistant coach at University of Connecticut.
Now coach David Passmore has signed her up to the US national side after admitting she was the “perfect fit” for the team “as an international athlete who knows what it takes to both performance and win at the highest stage.”
He added: “She will play an important part of the day to day coaching of the team with specific responsibility for the goalkeepers as a part of that. Having three talented goalkeepers as we do is a luxury and Maddie will no doubt provide them with the support and development they need but also to challenge and push them to even higher levels set by David Williamson, who we thank for his massive contribution to the USWNT.
“Having been part of the highly successful Great Britain set up, Maddie will also be important to the continuing development and refinement of our team culture, which I value so highly.”
USA women qualified for Paris 2024 after beating Japan in the FIH Olympic qualifier semi-finals in January.
Hinch said that she was joining a team she had “long admired for their passion, fight and energy.”
She added: “My extensive time as a fully centralised athlete with GB Hockey for over a decade has instilled in me a profound understanding of the rigors of elite competition and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Through my Olympic journey, I’ve come to appreciate the exacting standards demanded in both training and competition for success at the highest level.”
“I’m particularly eßnthusiastic about contributing to the team’s day-to-day coaching, especially in supporting, inspiring and challenging their talented goalkeepers. With my experience founding MH1 Coaching and recently serving as an assistant coach at UConn Field Hockey, I’m passionate about mentorship and player development, eager to share all I have learnt with the group.”
CONGRATULATIONS to Maddie Hinch. Time it is to pass on your magical expertise to upcoming stars in the USA, at the Uni of Connecticut; I guess you’ll be adopting the John Hurst approach to goalkeeper coaching and motivation?!? Anyway, the best of luck in everything you attempt…never say never.