Kentwell Named Assistant Coach of USMNT & U-21 USMNT
by USA Field Hockey
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is pleased to announce that Jun Kentwell has been named the assistant coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team and U-21 USMNT.
“I’d like to welcome Jun Kentwell as an assistant coach of the USMNT,” said Harry Singh, USMNT Head Coach. “I am thrilled to have her as my assistant coach and I look forward to the growth of the program. I am sure her rich and vast experience in the field of coaching will bring fresh ideas and she will play a role to ensure the success of our highly talented USMNT players.”
“With Jun’s experience and dedication, I know that we’ll accomplish amazing things together. Climbing Mount Everest is a feat of human accomplishment, but only achievable with the direction of a knowledgeable guide. Just like those climbers, our team needs an experienced guide. I’m excited to have Jun to help us to lead the way as we work to achieve goals and overcome challenges together.”
Kentwell will be responsible for supporting the USMNT in all aspects of the high-performance environment around the team including psychological, tactical and technical development. She will evaluate athletes and provide performance analysis during events. As the U-21 USMNT assistant coach she will introduce and develop high-level techniques and training principles that align with “The USA Way”. She will assist with the evaluation of athletes and work with the Junior High Performance team to ensure effective integration of coaching and support for all athletes.
She has been the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Indoor Team for the past six years and led the squad to a gold medal finish at the 2017 Indoor Pan American Cup (IPAC), capturing their first-ever bid to the 2018 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup. She was at the helm of the team this past June when they repeated as IPAC Champions, earning another spot at the upcoming 2022 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup set to take place February 2 through 6 in Liège, Belgium.
Kentwell is the director of coaching and head coach at the club, WC Eagles. She has developed numerous players who are currently on the U.S. Women’s National Team and U-21 USWNT. She was previously the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Development Team and involved with coaching in Futures.
Before coming to the United States in 1999, Kentwell played for 8 years on the Chinese National Team and captained the Jaing Xi Provincial team to three National Championships. At the age of 12, she was selected to train in the residence program at the Jaing Xi Sports Training Center, where she developed into a fast and skillful player. When she was 16 years old, she was selected for the Chinese U-21 National Team and made her debut with the senior squad at age 18.
When injury ended Kentwell’s playing career, she gravitated to umpiring and quickly rose to be a respected official. She officiated in three Asian Games, the European Cup, Pan American Games, Junior World Cup, three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and the 2002 Hockey World Cup. In 2004, Kentwell received the Golden Whistle award from the International Hockey Federation to mark her 100th international match officiated.
Kentwell’s coaching style of attention to detail and commitment to excellence will be sure to help develop depth in the men’s program. She plans to cultivate players to play with vision and have the creativity under pressure to perform in a team structure.
“I appreciate this opportunity to work with Harry and the men’s program,” commented Kentwell. “This is an important moment in the program as Harry builds the men’s teams toward the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and I am looking forward to helping the players develop their skills, vision and tactical understanding.”
Kentwell will join the USMNT in an upcoming tour, as well as work with the juniors in multiple east coast training camps.
Join USA Field Hockey in welcoming Kentwell to the coaching staff of the USMNT and U-21 USMNT.