PHF launches women’s hockey revival plan

Ten-day high-performance camp to begin in Islamabad on October 7

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced a comprehensive national development programme aimed at reviving women’s hockey in the country and bringing it in line with international standards.

The first phase of the “National Women’s Hockey High Performance and Coaching Development Programme” will begin with a 10-day training camp in Islamabad from October 7.

The camp will bring together some of the country’s leading players from the Under-15, Under-18, Under-21 and senior categories, along with selected coaches and support staff.

The technical leadership of the camp will be entrusted to Dutch hockey coach Richard Snaijer, who will work closely with Pakistani players and local coaches to establish a modern high-performance framework for women’s hockey in the country.

During the camp, players from all four age groups will undergo technical and physical assessments. The programme will introduce uniform standards for technical skills, tactical understanding and fitness, while intensive training sessions will focus on improving individual and team performance.

Separate training schedules will be developed for each age category based on the specific requirements of the players. The programme will also establish a structured pathway for identifying emerging talent and preparing them for progression to the national team.

The development of local coaches will be another key component of the initiative. Pakistani coaches, particularly women coaches, will work alongside Snaijer to gain practical experience in modern coaching methods and high-performance training.

According to the PHF, the October camp is not intended to be a standalone activity but will serve as the foundation of a year-long national development programme.

Snaijer is expected to make periodic visits to Pakistan throughout the year to monitor the progress of players and coaches. In his absence, locally trained Pakistani coaches will continue the programme according to the established training framework, ensuring consistency across all age groups.

The initiative will also adopt a multidisciplinary approach to player development. Female sports psychologists, fitness and strength-and-conditioning trainers, experienced women’s hockey coaches and other performance support staff will be part of the camp.

The PHF said the broader objective was to ensure that players develop not only their technical and tactical abilities but also their mental preparedness, physical conditioning and recovery practices in line with international requirements.

The second major phase of the programme is planned for March, when the PHF intends to send the senior and junior women’s teams to the Netherlands for a three-week training and exposure tour.

During the visit, the Pakistani teams are expected to train with leading Dutch women’s hockey clubs and play competitive matches. The tour will provide the players with first-hand exposure to one of the world’s strongest hockey systems and help them adapt to modern fitness standards and high-tempo, precision-based hockey.

Snaijer will also oversee the Netherlands tour as part of the wider development programme.

The PHF’s long-term objective is to establish a sustainable and self-sufficient women’s hockey system, beginning at Under-15 level and extending through to the senior national team.

The federation aims to combine international coaching expertise, local coaching capacity, sports science and international exposure to create a consistent development pathway for female players.

The Islamabad camp, beginning October 7, is being positioned by the PHF as the first major milestone in its efforts to rebuild women’s hockey and develop a nationally integrated system capable of competing at the international level.