Role Purpose
The Senior 2nds Head Coach is a key development leader within Limerick Hockey Club (LHC). This role is responsible for managing a critical player lifecycle phase: transitioning players aged 17–20 into adult club hockey and molding them into a cohesive, positive squad.
The primary objective is to cultivate a competitive but supportive environment of Development, Teamwork, and Fun, and helping the club develop and maintain the strength and squad sizes of our senior teams. The role ensures players continue to progress with their technical level and tactical maturity, preparing them for success at the Senior level, and potentially along the Senior 1st team pathway while leaving them "wanting more."
Key Responsibilities
1. Squad Management
- Proactively manage the transition of players (predominantly aged 17–20) coming up from youth structures into adult hockey, building a unified team culture across shifting age profiles.
- Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that promotes fun, development, teamwork, and mutual respect among players, fully aligning with the Limerick Hockey Club and Coaching Philosophy.
- Create a psychologically safe, engaging environment tailored to protect player retention.
- Work collaboratively with other LHC Senior Coaches to help develop players, support their player pathways, and help develop a common coaching language across the senior teams.
2. Coaching
- Schedule & Location: Plan & deliver between 1 and 2 x 75-90-minute mid-week evening training sessions. You may be required to deliver training sessions across our two club locations—Villiers and UL. Lead Competitive weekend matches throughout the season, including away locations across Munster.
- Session Delivery: Plan and run high-tempo, engaging practices focused on individual skill development, unit play and game based activities which maximizes touches on the ball. Share session plans with assistant coaches to create collaborative approach, and foster coach development within the club.
- Coach collaboration: Work with other coaches to ensure there is support across Senior squads as needed. Manage player movement up and down with support and empathy and in alignment with other senior coaches. Collaborate with Coaching Assistants in an effective and supportive manner, helping drive a consistent coaching language, and uplevel the coaching knowledge and experience throughout the club.
- Matches: Manage weekend team selections, match substitutions and pitch-side coaching balancing competitive performance with consideration for player development and retention.
3. Communication & Leadership
- Stakeholder Liaison: Act as a professional, empathetic point of contact for club officials, parents, and players. Communicate scheduling, development milestones, and selection criteria clearly, (typically with a Coaching Charter for each season) always protecting the club's core values. Set the highest example of respect for all players, members, and officials in the game.
- Professional Development: Remain open to learning, taking further coaching courses and stay updated on the latest coaching techniques, trends, and tactical best practices in field hockey.
Assistant Coach Collaboration & Development
- Role Clarity: Ensure coaching assistants have clear roles and duties and encourage areas of ownership
- Pre- and Post-Session Alignment: Lead brief huddles before and after training blocks to align on learning objectives and debrief what worked. Use these opportunities to reflect, learn and grow as a coaching team. Explain why specific structures were designed, to aid the development of other coaches' tactical literacy.
Experience & Qualifications
- Technical knowledge of the game
- Relevant experience in similar role (ideally coaching youth, school, or senior hockey teams)
- Personnel / Team management skills and experience
- Communication skills (communication at multiple levels included players, parents, coaching teams and other club members as required)
- Team player that can collaborate with others
- Open-minded approach, willingness to continually learn and improve
- Preferred Qualifications: Hockey Ireland Level 1 Coaching Qualification (or equivalent certification) or working towards.
Required
- Active Garda Vetting clearance.
- Completed Safeguarding 1 Workshop certificate.
- Club membership (coach status) with Limerick HC.
- Adherence to the Hockey Ireland and LHC Codes of Conduct.
Signs of Success in this Role
- Development of a cohesive squad and mitigating drop outs as players move through school or college cycles and transition toward adult sports.
- Demonstrated competitive spirit in the senior divisions.
- Players continue development and are comfortable with tactical shapes and matchday intensity.
Compensation
To be discussed with applicant.
How to Apply
Please submit your expression of interest with a resume/CV along with a short cover letter outlining your coaching experience, qualifications, and why you are interested in driving player development at Limerick Hockey Club.
Applications should be sent to secretary@limerickhockeyclub.ie with the subject line: "Application: Senior 2nds Coach Position".
