University of Massachusets Athletics
Pietie Coetzee-Turner Named Field Hockey Assistant Coach
May 29, 2019 | Field Hockey
Three-time Olympian and South Africa native joins Minutewomen ahead of 2019 season
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts head field hockey coach Barb Weinberg announced on Wednesday that Pietie Coetzee-Turner has joined her staff as assistant coach. Coetzee, a native of Bloemfontein, South Africa, comes to the Minutewomen after a decorated career in South Africa and around the world both as a player and coach.
"We are thrilled to welcome Pietie to our program and the UMass family," said Weinberg. "Pietie is one of the most well-known and renowned individuals in field hockey and adds an unparalleled array of experience, both on the playing and coaching fronts. She is an exceptional teacher with a unique passion for our sport and will bring a wealth of knowledge to our current and future players. We are excited to have her on staff as we prepare for the 2019 season and compete for an Atlantic 10 Championship."
One of the most highly-regarded strikers in the world, Coetzee is a three-time Olympian, representing South Africa at the 2000 (Sydney), 2004 (Athens) and 2012 (London) Summer Games. She boasts one of the fastest drag flicks known and has logged 287 goals over 289 international matches, holding the female all-time scoring record.
"This is a tremendous opportunity and I thank Barb Weinberg and the UMass administration for the chance to return to the United States and embark on a new chapter," Coetzee added. "Field hockey in the U.S. continues to grow at an impressive pace and specifically at UMass, our program has a proud tradition of success both in the Atlantic 10 and nationally. I am very much looking forward to working alongside a talented group of coaches and players as this season approaches."
Her international senior career began in 1995, when Coetzee represented South Africa at the Atlanta Challenge Cup and became the youngest player (16) to represent the nation on such a stage. The two-time South African Hockey Player of the Year (1997, 2002) went on to play in four World Cups. At the 2002 event in Perth, Australia, South Africa finished 13th and Coetzee was the tournament's leading goal scorer.
Coetzee retired from international competition in 2014 and is a veteran of the coaching realm. In addition to serving in assistant capacity at Indiana (2006), she held a number of roles across South Africa. In addition to serving as head coach at the University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg, Coetzee also served as the director of hockey at St David's Marist Inanda for the past three years (2016-19).
Coetzee earned her bachelor's degree in sport psychology from Rand Afrikaans University in 2003.
Follow UMass field hockey on Twitter (@UMassFH), Instagram (UMassFieldHockey) and Facebook (UMass Field Hockey) for the latest news and updates around the program.
"We are thrilled to welcome Pietie to our program and the UMass family," said Weinberg. "Pietie is one of the most well-known and renowned individuals in field hockey and adds an unparalleled array of experience, both on the playing and coaching fronts. She is an exceptional teacher with a unique passion for our sport and will bring a wealth of knowledge to our current and future players. We are excited to have her on staff as we prepare for the 2019 season and compete for an Atlantic 10 Championship."
One of the most highly-regarded strikers in the world, Coetzee is a three-time Olympian, representing South Africa at the 2000 (Sydney), 2004 (Athens) and 2012 (London) Summer Games. She boasts one of the fastest drag flicks known and has logged 287 goals over 289 international matches, holding the female all-time scoring record.
"This is a tremendous opportunity and I thank Barb Weinberg and the UMass administration for the chance to return to the United States and embark on a new chapter," Coetzee added. "Field hockey in the U.S. continues to grow at an impressive pace and specifically at UMass, our program has a proud tradition of success both in the Atlantic 10 and nationally. I am very much looking forward to working alongside a talented group of coaches and players as this season approaches."
Her international senior career began in 1995, when Coetzee represented South Africa at the Atlanta Challenge Cup and became the youngest player (16) to represent the nation on such a stage. The two-time South African Hockey Player of the Year (1997, 2002) went on to play in four World Cups. At the 2002 event in Perth, Australia, South Africa finished 13th and Coetzee was the tournament's leading goal scorer.
Coetzee retired from international competition in 2014 and is a veteran of the coaching realm. In addition to serving in assistant capacity at Indiana (2006), she held a number of roles across South Africa. In addition to serving as head coach at the University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg, Coetzee also served as the director of hockey at St David's Marist Inanda for the past three years (2016-19).
Coetzee earned her bachelor's degree in sport psychology from Rand Afrikaans University in 2003.
Follow UMass field hockey on Twitter (@UMassFH), Instagram (UMassFieldHockey) and Facebook (UMass Field Hockey) for the latest news and updates around the program.
Saturday, October 25
Friday, October 24
Monday, October 13
Wednesday, October 08