Hook Hockey

Boyles takes on women’s assistant post

Arlene Boyles has been named as Denis Pritchard’s assistant coach for the summer months as the Irish women build toward the Champion’s Challenge which takes place in October.

The Pegasus woman brings with her an array on achievements to her name, both as a player and as a coach, making her senior international debut back in 1995 against China.

She went on to win 122 caps, including captaining the Irish women to the 2002 World Cup in Perth along with playing in three European campaigns and two Olympic qualifiers. 

Still an integral part of the Pegasus club side, she has an incredible eight Irish Senior Cup medals and nine club championship wins – including the IHL/ISC double last season. She recently played a key role in the club’s EuroHockey Club Champions Trophy victory in Belfast.
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Speaking about the appointment, High Performance Director Dave Passmore said: “We are pleased that Arlene has accepted this role following her successful period with Ireland A in 2010.  Her insight as an experienced player, which will have been reinforced by her recent coaching experience, will be ideal for this stage of the programme.”Â
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That coaching experience includes working with Ireland A in 2010 while she has been Ulster senior assistant for the past four years.

And she is hoping she can transfer her knowledge to the panel in this four month period, saying: “I enjoyed my time working with the talented Ireland A squad and hopefully I can bring some of my playing experience at international level to the coaching side of the Senior Women.

“I’m under no illusion as to the scale of what is required now in International hockey however I am willing to learn and give 100pc to this role in this short timescale.”
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Irish Hockey will advertise for the permanent coaching positions in late July with a view to appointing in late October.