No team can do without them: the coaches and the staff team, who ensure that the players can give their best on the field.
Our Nati Nati-Coaches and the Staff Team
Behind every successful team is much more than just what happens on the pitch. Our national team coaches invest an enormous amount of time, energy and passion every day to prepare our athletes for international challenges in the best possible way.
It’s not just about training and match preparation. The focus is primarily on the individual development of each and every player – technically, tactically, physically and mentally. At the same time, our coaches play a central organizational role: they plan training sessions and tournaments, coordinate processes and ensure that our teams are as well prepared as possible for the start.
Another decisive factor for success is a well-functioning staff team. In addition to the coaches, the physiotherapists, video analysts and especially the team managers play a central role. They support the teams in all organizational matters off the pitch and thus create the basis for players and coaches to be able to concentrate fully on their performance.
We are happy to introduce you to our current national coaches and their team managers here:
Damen
Jorge Nolte (T1) & Linda Haussener (T2)
Jorge brings his experience from the Dutch Hoofdklasse, while Linda, as a former top player in Switzerland, provides valuable insights from a player’s perspective. Together they have continued the positive development from Mathias Schaeben’s time and took part in the World Cup Qualifier in Chile with the team. They are now working passionately towards the important EuroHockey Championship Qualifier tournament in Prague, where qualification for the A-Division is possible.
Team manager: Jolanda van Witzenburg
Physio: Emilie Auquier
U21 Women
Bas de van der Schueren (T1) & Jasper Härtsch (T2)
Bas and Jasper are working with a newly formed U21 team towards the B European Championship tournament in Vienna. Bas brings his experience from the Dutch Pro-motieklasse as well as from his work in Switzerland with Servette. Jasper is still young, but already has a lot of experience and a deep understanding of Swiss field hockey.
Team manager: Daphne Meuwsen
Physio: Annelot van der LInden
U18 Girls
Thijs Spaink (T1) & Michael Zeis (T2)
Thijs and Michael are currently working with a mixed team of U18 and U16 talents. First up on the agenda is a 6 Nations tournament in Ludwigshafen, before they then prepare specifically for the H5 European Championships in Alanya this summer with the U16 girls.
Team manager: Christine Römer Physio: Carolin Zindler (am Ostern-Turnier)
U16 Girls
Thijs Spaink (T1) & Michael Zeis (T2)
At U16 level, the focus is on individual development and preparation for international tournaments. The players gain valuable experience that will support them on their further path in competitive sport.
Team manager: Christine Römer
Herren
Jaïr Levie (T1) & Claas Henkel (T2)
Jaïr and Claas have been a well-rehearsed duo for four years. While Jaïr takes over the organizational management, Claas brings extensive experience as a field hockey expert from the German national league – most recently as indoor champion with UHC. Together they are working intensively towards the EuroHockey Championship Qualifier Tournament in Rome, with the clear aim of qualifying for the A-Division.
Team manager: Ramona Schwager
Physio: Mark Bicker
U21 Men
Jaïr Levie(T1) & Thierry Grandchamp (T2)
Jaïr and Thierry continue the successful path from 2024, when the team won the title at the B European Championships. After a strong performance at the Junior World Championships in India, they are now preparing the team for the next big challenge: the A European Championships in Valencia against the best teams in Europe.
Team manager: Menno Liebregts
Physio: Mark Bicker
U18 Boys
Bas de van der Schueren (T1) & Jasper Härtsch (T2)
Bas and Jasper are preparing the U18 boys specifically for the upcoming challenges this season. An important step in this is their participation in the 6 Nations Cup in Wavre over Easter, with a view to the European Championship II in 2027.
Team manager: Nadine Huber
Physio: Annelot van der Linden
U16 Boys
Xavier Santoloria (T1) & Alain du Plessis (T2)
Xavier and Alain are using the 6 Nations Tournament in Valkenswaard over Easter to prepare the players optimally for the H5 European Championship in Alanya this summer. An international coaching team is on the sidelines: a Belgian head coach and a South African assistant bring different perspectives and experiences to the players’ development.
Team manager: Ralph Heidemann
Physio: Emma Guitink (am Ostern-Turnier)
Together for the future of Swiss field hockey
We are incredibly proud of the commitment of our coaches. Many of them have been passionately committed to Swiss Hockey for years and make a decisive contribution to the development of our athletes on a daily basis.
At the same time, the next generation is already growing up in the background: numerous motivated and promising coaches from our U14 regional teams are ready to take on responsibility and gain their first experience in competitive sport. They are currently preparing their teams for the Regio Cup tournaments over Easter and the international tournaments over Whitsun.
Together – with experience, fresh impetus and a large portion of passion – we are shaping the future of Swiss field hockey.
