Rostron commits to the Wolfpack
Field Hockey Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Sheldon Rostron as the Head Coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team. With an impressive background and experience in the field hockey world, Rostron brings a unique blend of expertise, passion, and leadership to the team.
Hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, Rostron’s journey in field hockey began at the age of 13. His dedication and obsession with field hockey led him to pursue professional studies in sports, laying the foundation for his future high-performance career. Rostron’s experience includes working alongside Field Hockey Canada’s own Patrick Tshutshani and former Canadian Women’s National Team Head Coach, Giles Bonnet. During his coaching journey with South African women’s hockey, Rostron served in various capacities, from specialist trainer and goalkeeper coach to assistant coach and team manager under Bonnet’s leadership.
In 2015, Rostron was appointed as the Head Coach of the South African Women’s team. The program saw remarkable achievements under his guidance, including at the 2018 World Cup, 2018 Commonwealth Games, World League Series, and African Nations Cup. His leadership was highlighted when he made history by guiding both the Women’s and Men’s teams to victory at the African Qualifier. Rostron said he’s thrilled to join the Women’s program and start making a meaningful impact right away on the whole community.
“I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to become a part of the Canadian Women’s National Team. It presents a remarkable chance to collaborate with a group of committed individuals who possess a deep passion for their country and an unwavering determination to succeed in their endeavours. I am privileged to play a role in supporting their quest to fulfil their aspirations,” Rostron said. “The intention is to make meaningful contributions to the holistic development of the program and to further the broader objectives of Canada hockey.”
Rostron was most recently serving as the Director of Sport at North West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa and manager of hockey at the university. He has been a dedicated advocate for women’s sports. His commitment to promoting inclusivity and excellence in athletics was demonstrated through his role as the chairman of the 2021 Junior World Cup local organizing committee in Potchefstroom. Rostron said he can’t wait to get on the ground and start working with the community in Canada. He understands that success can only come from cultivating success at all levels, including building up the team behind the team.
“Recognizing the significance of human capital, I understand that beyond the team’s goals lies another essential entity: the team behind the team. Empowering, cultivating, and nurturing their loyalty and contributions are indispensable resources,” he said. “With a fresh perspective and diverse skill sets, we aim to continue igniting growth, developing the organization, and advancing the sport on various levels to perpetuate support and interest from others.”
Field Hockey Canada’s High Performance Director, Kate Perry is confident that Rostron’s experience, dedication, and passion for the sport will propel the Women’s National Team to new heights.
“We are excited to welcome Sheldon to Canada. To have his calibre of coaching and experience on the ground to lead our Women’s National Team in this next cycle. He will offer stability, will interact and work with our field hockey community at all levels of the women’s pathway, and has a great deal of passion and love for our sport.”
Entering a new Quadrennial to 2028 – Field Hockey Canada has the laid the foundation for future success
Field Hockey Canada is embarking on a new chapter with the onset of the new quadrennial towards LA 2028. While the disappointment of not qualifying for Paris 2024 lingers – and the three in a row Olympic Qualification remains elusive for now– in building the pathway and supporting the domestic flourishing of our ‘team of teams’, the organization is well set for future success. The target is clear: having both men’s and women’s national teams competing in LA 2028.
The 2020 Weiss report and High-Performance review emphasized the importance of bringing in top-tier coaching staff from around the globe. Field Hockey Canada has taken this recommendation seriously, dedicating itself to enhancing its high-performance system. The past several years has seen remarkable leadership within the organization, with international coaches like Pasha Gademan, Andre Henning, Danny Kerry, Kate Richardson Walsh, and outgoing High-Performance Director Emma Bray all playing pivotal roles. We are grateful to them all for all they brought to Canada in the uplift and support they provided to the domestic community. By leveraging international expertise, Field Hockey Canada has strengthened its coaching infrastructure.
The hiring of Sheldon Rostron marks the next step in this journey. Rostron, with his experience and success in international field hockey, will be relocating with his family to Canada through to LA 2028. He will be part of a new look team of staff and athletes. During the last quadrennial the women’s team saw a wealth of young talent come through to compliment experienced Women’s National Team Leaders. With Kate Perry promoted from Director of Performance Science to head up High Performance, and a clear vision for the future, Field Hockey Canada is poised for success in the coming quadrennial.
