Former Irish boss Passmore appointed Team USA head coach

Former Ireland boss David Passmore has been appointed as the new head coach of Team USA's women's team.

The Kent native joins Team USA after serving as the assistant coach for Ireland's women's team since 2017 and Ireland’s National Development and Under-21 head coach since 2014.

The former Irish senior men’s coach, who has worked as a lecturer in coaching science and talent development at DCU since 2012, replaces the outgoing Greg Drake who had only been appointed back in April.

Passmore had been working with a number of Irish sides in recent weeks including the men’s Under-21 team, who he guided to promotion from EuroHockey Championship II having gone unbeaten in five games in July, while he was involved with the first Irish team to play in the women’s Junior World Cup. The tournament was delayed until April 2022 with the side losing group games to England and South Africa by single-goal margins.

He had previously enjoyed a successful period with Cork Harlequins, guiding them to an All-Ireland Cup final and a Munster title in 2004.

Passmore, who stepped down as Ireland men’s head coach in 2008 to take on the role of high performance director, will no longer continue with any Irish roles to instead focus on his American commitments.

"My aim is to provide a clear vision and playing philosophy which will provide the basis for quickly elevating the team back to the top table and building towards Paris 2024 qualification," Passmore told teamusa.org.