Frederic Soyez Takes Helm as Coach of Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team

New Leadership for Indian Junior Men's Hockey

On Thursday, Hockey India revealed that Frederic Soyez has been appointed as the new coach for the Indian junior men's hockey team, succeeding former captain PR Sreejesh.

Soyez, a former French international who played from 1995 to 2010 and netted 195 goals, has an impressive coaching background, having led Spain during the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Games, as well as guiding France for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sreejesh expressed his disappointment on Wednesday regarding his dismissal, despite what he considered a successful coaching tenure. He remarked, "I have heard of coaches being let go after poor performances, but this is the first time I am facing removal for a foreign coach's appointment," in a post on social media.

Soyez is well-respected in the hockey community for his expertise in athlete development, penalty corner tactics, and for constructing teams with a strong tactical foundation.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey welcomed Soyez, stating, "Frederic joins us with exceptional international experience, having coached at various Olympic Games, World Cups, and European Championships. His ability to nurture young talent and establish high-performance systems will be invaluable as we aim for a long-term vision leading up to the 2036 Olympics."

Tirkey emphasized the organization's commitment to not just achieving immediate success but also to cultivating a robust talent pipeline and a cohesive coaching framework that spans from junior to senior levels. He noted, "By incorporating Indian coaches alongside international specialists in every national camp, we are fostering continuity in coaching philosophy, player development, and tactical insight. This collaborative strategy will enhance the skills of Indian coaches and contribute to a more self-sufficient high-performance environment for the future."