New Irish Coach To Lead Womens Hockey Programme

Darren Smith has announced he will step down as Irish senior women's coach at the end of World League Round 3 in Valencia in June, the key qualifier for the Olympic Games, to return to his native New Zealand to be with his family.

His assistant, Graham Shaw, will take on the head coach role with the rest of the current management and coaching team continuing in their respective positions.

Smith linked up with the Irish senior women's team in January 2013 and has built a side that has undergone a transformation in recent times, becoming a highly effective attacking unit that looks in great shape to contest for an Olympic berth in Valencia.

In 2014, the national side produced its best performance on the world stage in over a decade when they earned a silver medal at the Champions Challenge in Glasgow, beating world number eight side Korea as well as World Cup-bound South Africa.

Indeed, the side beat four higher ranked nations in 2014, ending the year with a run of seven wins in succession. The momentum carried through to World League Round 2 in March, a key step on the road to Rio de Janeiro, with six wins from six games.

Speaking about Smith's decision to step down, Hockey Ireland CEO Mike Heskin said: "I have really enjoyed working with Darren over the last two and half years; it has been a very exciting time for Irish hockey.

"The upward trajectory in the performance of the National women's team is plain to see and is a credit to Darren's coaching skills, work ethic and planning.

"This team has seen success under his stewardship and the plans are in place to ensure this progress will continue. I would like to thank Darren for his services to Irish hockey; we are sorry to lose him but understand his desire to return to his home in New Zealand and be with his young family. I wish Darren and his wife Beth the very best in the future."

Commenting on his decision Smith stated "we have loved our time in this beautiful country and are disappointed to be leaving. The warmth of the people and particularly the hockey community has made it an extremely enjoyable experience."

"I'm very proud of the work that we have done with the team and am very much looking forward to World League 3 to see us step up to an even higher level. The team is a delight to coach and is filled with talented, committed and intelligent women who are focused on bringing success to Ireland."

"The Green Army is superbly lead by a group of 12 staff from the Irish Sports Institute, Sport Institute Northern Ireland and Hockey Ireland, all of whom I cannot thank enough. Graham Shaw has been a huge support during my time with the team, he is a first class coach and I know he will lead the program to our ultimate goal of performance in our sports pinnacle events, the Olympic Games and World Cup. I wish Graham and the team the very best and will of course be following their success."

Graham Shaw takes on the mantle after a number of years working with Smith in an assistant role since May 2013.

Shaw is one of Ireland's most decorated players, earning 151 caps between 2002 and 2009, before embarking on an already impressive coaching career. In 2010, he carved out a unique piece of history by coaching Loreto to the women's Irish Senior Cup title before, on the same day, winning the men's man of the match title in Glenanne's success.

More recently, he coached Monkstown to their first national title in 99 years with their 2013 Irish Senior Cup. The club have subsequently become the first to win three Irish Hockey League titles in succession under his tutelage.

Shaw was formally added to Darren Smith's coaching team in May 2013.

Heskin said Hockey Ireland is: "delighted to appoint Graham Shaw to the position of head coach.

"Graham has worked hand in hand with Darren Smith as assistant coach over the last two years, so he is well placed to keep the level of progress moving at pace.

"Graham's track record within Irish hockey both as a player and a coach has been exceptional. While Graham's appointment will provide much needed continuity, I am certain he will bring his own brand of exciting hockey to this team.

"He has been a member of the Irish Institute of Sport Podium Programme, which develops high performance coaches to bring our national teams to World and Olympic level so it is very exciting to see hockey now being guided at the highest level by an Irish coach. I wish Graham well in his new and exciting role."

Speaking about his appointment, Shaw said "I am very proud and honoured to be taking over the role of Head Coach. I am very excited to coach this team of very talented players and really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in the coming year"

"I would like to thank Darren for everything he has brought to Irish hockey and on a personal note for all his guidance and support over the past two years. I would like to wish him and his family all the best for the future"

"Coaching your National team is a real privilege and I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead "