Marden HC: Women's 1st XI Coach / Player Coach

About Marden HC

Marden HC is an ambitious, community‑driven club with a strong player base, a growing junior section, and brand-new, outstanding facilities that naturally support a high-performance culture. The Women's 1st XI are poised to take the next step after finishing top 3 this season, and in the top 5 in each of the last four seasons.

Our short-term ambition is clear: secure promotion to the South East Premier Division. Beyond that, the club has its sights set on continued progression towards national league hockey.

Marden is not only a competitive hockey environment but also a brilliant place to call home – combining high standards on the pitch with a strong, welcoming club culture off it.

Role Purpose

To lead the coaching and performance strategy for the Ladies 1st Team, creating a high-performance environment capable designed to deliver promotion to the Premier Division in the short term, while laying the foundations for sustained progression towards national league hockey.

This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of a talented, ambitious squad and play a central role in the next phase of the club’s growth.

Why This Role is Different

• Clear upward trajectory – an established top 3 side on the cusp of a major step forward
• Outstanding facilities – a level of infrastructure and environment few hockey clubs at any level can offer
• Talented pipeline – a strong and improving junior section increasingly feeding into senior performance teams
• Real influence – genuine opportunity to shape recruitment, culture, and the club’s long-term direction

Key Responsibilities

1. Coaching & Performance

• Lead all 1st XI training sessions (typically 1–2 per week).
  Develop and deliver a structured season plan aligned to promotion targets for the performance squads.
• Coach and manage the team on match days (Saturdays).
• Create a clear playing philosophy and tactical identity.
• Analyse team and individual performance; provide constructive feedback.
• Support the integration of GPS, video, and data (if available) into performance analysis.
  
  

2. Player Development & Pathway

• Work closely with club captains and committee to strengthen the player pathway, connecting juniors, development sides, and 1s/2s.
• Identify, mentor, and progress talented younger players into the performance environment.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement across the squad.

3. Recruitment

• Proactively help to attract new players to the club, especially ambitious performance‑level athletes.
• Build positive relationships with universities, local schools, and the hockey community to support recruitment and future succession.
  
  

4. Leadership & Culture

• Set high standards for commitment, professionalism, and respect.
  Support the creation of a positive, inclusive, and competitive culture.
• Collaborate with club leadership on long-term performance planning.
   

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven coaching experience at performance level (South East Div 1 or equivalent).
• Strong tactical understanding and ability to communicate clearly.
• Ability to lead a squad toward ambitious goals (e.g., promotion).
  Passion for developing players at all levels.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
  
  

Desirable

• England Hockey Level 2 / Sessional Coach qualification (or working toward it).
• Playing experience at a high competitive level (if applying as player‑coach).
• Experience with player recruitment and pathway planning.
  Familiarity with video analysis tools (e.g., Veo, HUDL).
   

Time Commitment

• Weekly training sessions (weekday evenings).
• Saturday match days throughout the season.
• Pre‑season planning and training (July–September).
• Occasional club meetings and recruitment events.
   

Remuneration

Competitive and dependent on experience.
Travel expenses negotiable.