Dr. Marina van der Merwe (Coach)
Inductee Name: Marina Van der Merwe
Category: Coach
Date: Class of 2015
With one of the most storied careers in Canadian field hockey, coach Marina van der Merwe was at the helm of the Women’s National Team when it was at its best.
During the 1980’s her women qualified for every major international games and took home two World Cup medals – silver in 1983 and bronze in 1986 – and one Pan American Bronze in 1987.
Her career coaching at the international level spanned nearly twenty years from 1976 to 1995, and she credits a larger team of Canadians – from administrators to officials and athletes – with having a hand in her success.
The highlights of Marina’s career were plenty. In addition to a fruitful career coaching at the pronvicial and university levels in Ontario, her national teams qualified for three Olympic games, six World Cups, and three Pan Am games.
A main beneficiary of Marina’s expertise were the countless athletes she led to become examplary players and leaders for Canada – making her a true builder of the sport in this country – something for which she was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Congratulations to Marina van der Merwe on her in induction into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame.
Highlights:
- Six silver and two bronze medals at the Canadian University level
- Coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team from 1976-1996
- Team qualified for:
- 3 Olympic Games (1984, 1988, 1992)
- 6 World Cups (1978-1994)
- Won silver (1983) and bronze (1986) at the World Cup
- Member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
