Wayne Lombard, the esteemed South African strength and conditioning coach, is making a highly anticipated return to the Indian women's hockey team as they gear up for the crucial World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for March in Hyderabad. This reunion marks a significant moment for the squad, as Lombard's previous tenure from 2017 to 2021 was instrumental in their historic achievements, including reaching the semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics and climbing into the top-10 of the world rankings.
A Familiar Face with a Proven Track Record
Lombard is no stranger to Indian sports enthusiasts, having collaborated with elite athletes such as Neeraj Chopra, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, and Vinesh Phogat over the years. His work with the women's hockey team, alongside coach Sjoerd Marijne, cemented his reputation as a key figure in their success. Despite the team training under different S&C coaches since his departure, Lombard's return is met with enthusiasm from both sides, though he acknowledges the challenges ahead.
Addressing Key Challenges and Injuries
In a virtual interaction, Lombard highlighted the tight timeline before the qualifiers, emphasizing that there is limited time for major changes. He identified two primary concerns: the physical abilities of players requiring assistance and a high incidence of injuries. "The biggest challenge for us will be the physical ability of the players that need help with. The other thing that I've identified is we've got a lot of injuries and we need to make sure that those injuries are taken care of because if you want to win anything, you need your best players on the park," Lombard stated.
His familiarity with the team environment provides a significant advantage. "I'm very lucky that the players trust me and my systems. So, I don't have to go through that buy-in process that you'd normally do in a new environment and that does help a lot," he added, underscoring the trust built during his previous stint.
Rehabilitation Success with Savita
Although Lombard hasn't worked directly with the national team recently, he has maintained close ties through his involvement with the Soorma Hockey Club in the Women's Hockey India League (WHIL). A notable example is his pivotal role in the rehabilitation of goalkeeper Savita following her surgery in June last year. "I was probably 80-20 as to whether she would be able to play in WHIL but it's something that she was keen on and she was willing to do anything possible to get to that point," Lombard recalled.
He described the rigorous process, noting that Savita underwent two to three daily sessions to regain fitness and strength. While her performance in the tournament may not have been stellar, this period served as essential preparation for the upcoming qualifiers. Lombard will continue to monitor her progress closely in the coming months.
Insights from Working with Neeraj Chopra
Lombard also shared insights from his experience with Neeraj Chopra, whom he has coached previously. As Chopra prepares for the LA Olympics on a new trajectory, Lombard reflected on what sets such athletes apart. "You can see that they've got this focus, this drive and grit that just allows them to go and do well. You see something in them when they're young. They have this ability to understand their bodies. They know exactly what it is that is required of them to perform at the highest level," he explained.
This understanding could prove invaluable as the Olympic champion aims to reclaim his top form. For Lombard, the task ahead is substantial, but the anticipation is high for the women's hockey team to excel once again under his guidance.
