Former University College Dublin (UCD) hockey player, Lisa Jacobs has been announced as the new Irish International Hockey manager. Hockey Ireland made the announcement in a media statement on Monday.
Jacobs played international hockey from 2006, until she retired from international hockey in 2014, whereupon she became a dual international, being named in the Ireland Rugby Sevens team on an 18-month contract.
In 2013, Jacobs also became the first Irish woman to sign a professional hockey contract in Holland, signing for the Dutch Hoofdklasse club, Stichtsche Cricket en Hockey Club. She has scored 17 international goals over her eight-year international career.
Since retiring from playing, Jacobs has been involved as an assistant coach for both the Irish U16 and U18 hockey teams. She has a background in Executive Coaching, and will bring her double international experience to the role as international manager.
“I am delighted to join the Green Army as they go into a very exciting and demanding year ahead,” said Jacobs in Hockey Ireland’s statement. “I hope in my role I can support the players and staff to prepare, perform and fulfil their ambitious goals.”
In the same statement, Director of High Performance, Adam Grainger said, “Following on from the significant contribution that Arlene Boyles made as Senior Women’s Team Manager, the appointment of Lisa Jacob is welcomed. Lisa’s wide variety of high performance skills and hockey experiences will add to their programme as it intensifies towards the European Championship and Tokyo Olympics participation in 2021. The players and the staff look forward to working with Lisa.”
Stephen Kisbey-Green – Co-Editor
