SA Hockey today announces that Cheslyn Gie, the head coach of the South African men’s hockey team, has officially stepped down. Gie’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring—from working his way up in the U18 and U21 structures to leading the senior men’s team on the grandest stage.. Under his leadership, the team has risen in international rankings, achieved Olympic qualification, and shown the world what South African hockey is all about.
Cheslyn’s impact on SA Hockey has been felt from day one. After serving as assistant coach for the senior men, he was named head coach, stepping into a role where he led the team through some of their most exciting competitions.
The undoubted stand out notch on the belt was victory in the inaugural FIH Nations Cup in Potchefstroom. The South Africans started the tournament as the 6th ranked team out of 8. But victories over France, Pakistan and Korea set up a final clash with Ireland. The hosts remarkably came out on top winning 4-3 to claim the tite.
Another of the highlights was guiding South Africa to victory in the African Hockey Road to Paris, clinching a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Olympic journey itself was memorable, with the team ending their campaign on a high note, defeating the host nation, France, and closing the tournament in an Olympic best of 9th place, an outstanding finish and a clear sign of SA Hockey’s potential on the world stage.
Reflecting on Cheslyn’s contribution, SA Hockey Interim CEO Shaune Baaitjies shared, “Cheslyn’s legacy is one which spans across many age groups His commitment has driven our men’s program forward, and his impact will be felt for years to come. From working with our youth structures to leading our senior team at the Olympics, he’s done it all with love for the game. We are deeply grateful for the legacy he leaves.”
SA Hockey is excited to build on the momentum he created as we look to the future, knowing that his influence has set a new benchmark for success. We wish Cheslyn all the best in his future, confident he’ll continue to be a force for good in the hockey community.
by South Africa
