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Hockey India League debutant team UP Rudras have appointed former Netherlands women’s team coach Paul van Ass as chief coach for the upcoming season. Notably, Paul boasts an impressive coaching resume having led both national and franchise teams to glory.
Expressing his enthusiasm after being appointed as the team’s chief coach, Paul van Ass stated that India boasts exceptional hockey talent and stressed the importance of the Hockey India League in giving opportunities to budding talents.
“India has an incredible pool of hockey talent and that was evident with their performance at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. I’m excited and grateful to be part of UP Rudras and together with the management of Yadu Sports, we are looking forward to working closely with the players to not only develop their skills but also to foster a winning mentality within the team,” said Van Ass after being appointed as the chief coach, as quoted by Hockey India League.
“Our goal is to create an environment where young talents can thrive and make their mark on the national and international stage. We plan to develop a comprehensive training program that equips players to handle the pressures of competitive play and come out victorious,” he added.
Paul van Ass led Netherlands Women to Olympic gold at Paris 2024
Notably, the Dutchman most recently led the Netherlands women’s hockey team to Olympic gold at the French capital. After the achievement, Paul van Ass didn’t extend his contract.
During his tenure, he propelled the team to the FIH Pro League 2022-23 title win and also claimed the European title in 2023. Under Van Ass, the Dutch national team secured 45 wins in its 48 international matches, highlighting his impressive coaching tactics and career.
Paul would be working closely with the Lucknow-based franchise’s co-coach Thomas Tichelman and Technical Director Cedric D’Souza.
With the HIL 2024-25 auction lined up on October 13 and 14, Paul, Cedric, and Thomas would be extensively involved in securing an exceptional mix of talent to propel their side to a title win in the debut season.
