New Delhi, 10 April (H.S.):

Hockey India officially named Australian coach Tim White as head coach of the national junior women's hockey team Friday, tasking him with nurturing emerging talent following his recent stint leading Tamil Nadu Dragons in the January 2026 Hero Hockey India League.

White's credentials span continents: prior to India, he guided Belgium's U-21 women to Junior World Cup bronze in December 2025, elevated their senior team's world ranking from 12th to 3rd (2021-2024), and reached Paris Olympics semifinals in 2024.

Earlier, as Australia's junior national coach, he secured another Junior World Cup bronze.

Expressing enthusiasm, White cited India's hockey passion and legacy as drawing him back. Having observed local prospects closely, he aims to forge technically proficient players primed for senior integration, emphasizing simplified play, collective/individual strengths, aggressive attack with defensive discipline, fitness, and pressure performance.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey hailed White's expertise—proven in Australia and Europe—as pivotal for junior development. General Secretary Bholanath Singh termed the appointment a cornerstone for world-class training, accelerating youth pathways to elite contention.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar