On Thursday, Hockey India revealed the selection of Frederic Soyez, a highly respected French coach, to lead the Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team. This decision aligns with the organization's long-term strategy to establish a robust high-performance framework in preparation for the 2036 Olympic Games.

Profile of Frederic Soyez

As stated in a press release from Hockey India, Soyez is recognized as one of the top coaches in European hockey, boasting over 30 years of experience in the sport. His career includes 15 years as an international player for France and more than 15 years as a head coach at the highest levels of hockey.

Soyez had a remarkable playing career from 1995 to 2010, earning 196 international caps and scoring 195 goals. He has coached national teams for both France and Spain, participating in three Olympic Games. He led Spain during the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is set to guide France at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Under his leadership, Spain secured a Silver Medal at the 2019 European Championships and reached the quarter-finals in both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.

A notable developer of young talent, Soyez coached France to a Silver Medal at the FIH Junior Men's World Cup in Delhi in 2013 and recently led the French U18 Men's Team to a Silver Medal at the 2025 European Championships. He also served as the High-Performance Director for the French Hockey Federation from 2021 to 2024, overseeing athlete development initiatives.

His extensive coaching experience includes participation in two FIH Men's Hockey World Cups (2018, 2023) and six European Championships (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023). At the domestic level, he guided Lille MHC to win both the French Indoor and Outdoor Championship titles in 2012, as well as the EuroHockey Trophy titles that same year. Soyez is well-regarded for his expertise in high-performance systems, athlete development, and penalty corner strategies.

Vision for the 2036 Olympics

Soyez's appointment is in line with the Indian government's goal of establishing a strong foundation for Olympic success and self-reliance as the nation approaches the 2036 Olympics. Hockey India aims to enhance the country's hockey ecosystem by integrating top coaching and high-performance resources from around the globe.

Focus on Developing Indian Coaches

Hockey India's long-term plan also emphasizes the importance of nurturing Indian coaches alongside international experts. To facilitate knowledge transfer and continuity, Indian coaches are involved in senior, junior, and sub-junior national camps, collaborating closely with head coaches at all levels.

This structure is designed to ensure a cohesive coaching philosophy across all age groups, allowing players to transition smoothly from sub-junior to junior and senior levels under a unified playing style, training methodology, and tactical framework. Hockey India believes this integrated approach will cultivate a broader talent pool leading up to the 2036 Olympics.

Hockey India's Leadership Comments on the Appointment

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed enthusiasm for Soyez's arrival, stating, "We warmly welcome Frederic Soyez to the Hockey India family. His impressive international credentials, including coaching at multiple Olympic Games and World Cups, along with his success in developing young talent, will greatly benefit Indian hockey as we pursue our long-term vision for the 2036 Olympics."

He added, "Our focus extends beyond immediate results; we aim to build a deep talent pool and a coaching structure that remains consistent from sub-junior to senior levels. By integrating Indian coaches with international experts in every national camp, we ensure continuity in coaching philosophy, player development, and tactical understanding. This collaborative approach will enhance the capabilities of Indian coaches and foster a self-sustaining high-performance ecosystem for the future."

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also commented, "Our vision is to create a seamless development pathway for Indian hockey players from grassroots to elite levels. Frederic Soyez's proven track record in building competitive international teams and nurturing young athletes makes him an excellent addition to our setup. His appointment will not only strengthen the junior men's program but also contribute to our broader goal of developing a sustainable talent pool for Indian hockey for years to come."