West Hampstead HC: Women’s Head Coach 1XI/2XITeams

We are looking for an enthusiastic, capable and committed Head Coach to lead our talented performance squad (1XI/2XI) for the 2026/27season and beyond. We are excited to welcome a new coach with fresh ideas to build on already strong foundations. 

About the club:

West Hampstead Hockey Club (WHHC) is a vibrant and inclusive member-led club in North West London, with more than 250 active members playing at all levels in the London Area league.

We pride ourselves on our club culture, putting enjoyment and community at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to developing players of all skill levels and giving every player the opportunity to play to the highest standard they wish to, including performance level.

We combine our love for hockey and socialising with an active playing calendar across the year. In addition to the league fixtures, we participate in various cup competitions, summer leagues, multiple tours and put on casual mixed open days at our pitches in Brent Cross. During the season we make full use of our clubhouse in the heart of West Hampstead and have a packed social calendar.

About the teams:

The Women’s 1st XI have continued to show resilience, ambition and quality throughout a challenging season in the London Women’s Premier Division. Although the team will compete in London Women’s Division 1 for the 2026/27 season, they do so with valuable experience gained at Premier level, and a clear platform to push for success. This next chapter offers an exciting opportunity to continue to build on the strong foundations of last season, and push for promotion to the London Premier Division.

The Women’s 2nd XI play in London Division 2 North and have consistently finished in the top half of the table over the past few years. While goals will always be set in collaboration with a team/squad at the start of a season, closing the gap between our 1XI and 2XI teams is a key priority for the club. 

Responsibilities:

• Work with the Committee, team captains and the squad to establish clear, ambitious and achievable goals for the season.
• Lead the pre‑season programme, including planning and delivering training sessions and supporting the organisation of pre‑season friendlies.
• Plan and deliver a training and development programme for the 2026/27 season which includes fixtures, weekly training and adhoc video/whiteboard sessions.
• Prepare for and attend matches every Saturday, liaising with the Assistant Coach to ensure both teams are supported.
• Foster a positive culture that maintains a cohesive, motivated and high performing squad, allowing everyone to play to the best of their ability whilst having fun.
• Work closely with the wider coaches and captains in the Women’s Club to maintain a unified coaching philosophy across the club and support talent progression.
• Manage selection in line with the Club's Selection Policy and alongside team captains & the Assistant Coach. 
  Analyse match performance, using video where possible, to inform coaching decisions.  
• Act as an ambassador for West Hampstead Hockey Club, representing the club's values at all times.

Key attributes:

Proven ability to coach at a comparable level;

• Strong communication and people skills;
• Energy and enthusiasm for the role; and
• Commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive team environment.

Whilst coaching qualifications are an important part of a development toolkit, we recognise that everybody comes to coaching in different ways, and are therefore open to receiving applications from coaches without recognised qualifications. 

Remuneration:

A competitive package is dependent on experience and qualifications. Accommodation in West Hampstead and financial contributions towards coaching qualifications/flights/visa costs can be discussed as part of the overall package.

We are always keen to welcome talented individuals to our club. If this role doesn't seem like the right fit for you, we still encourage you to explore other opportunities with us. Feel free to express your interest, and we will get back to you.