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University of Massachusets Athletics
Field Hockey
Coetzee-Turner, Pietie
Pietie Coetzee-Turner
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- pcoetzeeturn@umass.edu
- Phone:
- 575-2453
Feature Story: Pietie Coetzee-Turner's Indelible Mark on Field Hockey
Assistant coach Pietie Coetzee-Turner was welcomed to the University of Massachusetts field hockey program on May 29, 2019. Coetzee-Turner, 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.
The Maroon and White finished a successful Fall 2021 season with an overall record of 13-6, including a 5-2 record in the league. The year saw the Minutewomen defeat three ranked opponents - then-ranked No. 10 Boston College in a 3-2 double overtime victory, the then-ranked No. 11 Saint Joseph’s in a 1-0 overtime win and then-ranked No. 18 UConn in a 2-1 triumph. Massachusetts ranked as high as No. 18 during the season, holding on to rankings from September 9 through November 5.
In Spring 2021, Massachusetts took to the pitch to compete in a shortened season. The Minutewomen finished 7-4 overall and 3-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. UMass ranked No. 19 in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Coaches Poll on March 16, 2021, marking the first time since 2017 the program had been placed in the poll.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pietie to our program and the UMass family,” said head coach Barb 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-Turner 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-Turner 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-Turner 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-Turner was the tournament’s leading goal scorer.
Coetzee-Turner retired from international competition in 2014 and is a veteran of the coaching realm. In addition to serving in an assistant capacity at Indiana (2006), she held a number of roles across South Africa. Along with leading the University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg as head coach, Coetzee-Turner also was director of hockey at St David’s Marist Inanda from 2016-19.
She earned her bachelor's degree in sport psychology from the University of Johannesburg in 2003.
Assistant coach Pietie Coetzee-Turner was welcomed to the University of Massachusetts field hockey program on May 29, 2019. Coetzee-Turner, 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.
The Maroon and White finished a successful Fall 2021 season with an overall record of 13-6, including a 5-2 record in the league. The year saw the Minutewomen defeat three ranked opponents - then-ranked No. 10 Boston College in a 3-2 double overtime victory, the then-ranked No. 11 Saint Joseph’s in a 1-0 overtime win and then-ranked No. 18 UConn in a 2-1 triumph. Massachusetts ranked as high as No. 18 during the season, holding on to rankings from September 9 through November 5.
In Spring 2021, Massachusetts took to the pitch to compete in a shortened season. The Minutewomen finished 7-4 overall and 3-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. UMass ranked No. 19 in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Coaches Poll on March 16, 2021, marking the first time since 2017 the program had been placed in the poll.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pietie to our program and the UMass family,” said head coach Barb 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-Turner 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-Turner 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-Turner 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-Turner was the tournament’s leading goal scorer.
Coetzee-Turner retired from international competition in 2014 and is a veteran of the coaching realm. In addition to serving in an assistant capacity at Indiana (2006), she held a number of roles across South Africa. Along with leading the University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg as head coach, Coetzee-Turner also was director of hockey at St David’s Marist Inanda from 2016-19.
She earned her bachelor's degree in sport psychology from the University of Johannesburg in 2003.
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