Field Hockey Canada names Andrew Wilson as its women’s national team head coach

TORONTO — Field Hockey Canada has appointed Andrew Wilson as head coach of the women’s national team.

The English native comes from Spain where he served as an assistant coach with the Spanish women’s team that won bronze at the 2018 Women’s World Cup. Spain has risen to seventh from 15th during the tenure of Wilson and head coach Adrian Lock.

He succeeds South African Giles Bonnet, who was given notice by Field Hockey Canada last year because it could not afford to pay him. Supporters of the team raised the funds to pay Bonnet in the leadup to a November Olympic qualifying showdown with Ireland. 

The Canadian women lost 4-3 in a penalty shootout in Dublin.

Wilson follows the hiring of high-performance director Adam Janssen, and men’s national team coach Andre Henning.

“My interest in Field Hockey Canada was piqued after seeing how much the women’s national team improved their game from the beginning of 2018 right up until their fantastic performance in the Olympic Qualifier, not to mention a stellar (silver medal) result at the last Pan Am Games,” Wilson said in a statement.

“I foresee potential for an exciting future within the organization and I am very excited to get to work with the players, staff and the greater hockey community in Canada.”

The Canadian women are currently ranked 14th in the world.

Field Hockey Canada said Wilson will finish out his contract in Spain before coming to Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2020

The Canadian Press