(Part of the FIH statement regarding Alyson’s coaching journey, and in recognition of her receiving the official title of FIH Master Coach in 2025.)
Transitioning seamlessly into coaching, Annan has established herself as one of the sport’s most influential tacticians. From 2015–2021, she led the Dutch women’s national team to Olympic silver (Rio 2016) and Olympic gold (Tokyo 2020), secured the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup, and claimed EuroHockey titles in 2017 and 2021).
Under her stewardship, the Oranje women remained undefeated throughout 2018—an extraordinary run built on her philosophy of simplicity, intelligent passing, and player empowerment. Her coaching prowess earned her consecutive FIH Women’s Coach of the Year awards in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
In 2022, Alyson undertook a new challenge as head coach of China’s women’s national team. She steered them to a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games, a historic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and another gold medal at the 2025 Asia Cup, which also secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Her approach blends high-performance Northern European methods with cultural sensitivity— boosting speed, fitness, and belief in a side that long sought its breakthrough.
Beyond titles, Annan is recognised as an empathetic and intellectually curious coach—continually learning, innovating, and nurturing player behaviour, resilience, and decision-making.
In recognition of her outstanding career, Annan was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2013 and awarded the Order of Australia Medal. She has emerged as a role model in a traditionally male-dominated field, not only for her achievements but also for her advocacy of female coaching representation and her mentorship of future coaches.
Alyson Annan’s impact on hockey is monumental: from being one of the greatest players ever, to pioneering coaching success across three continents, to shaping modern coaching methodologies and championing inclusivity. Her contributions have elevated the sport not just in terms of medals, but in cultural depth and global reach.
Track record as coach of China women’s hockey team
| 2025 | Asia Cup | Gold medal |
| 2024 | Olympic Games | Silver medal |
| 2023 | Asian Games | Gold Medal |
Track record as coach of the Dutch women’s hockey team
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Gold Medal |
| 2021 | European Championship | Gold Medal |
| 2021 | FIH Pro League | Gold Medal |
| 2019 | European Championship | Gold Medal |
| 2019 | FIH Pro League | Gold Medal |
| 2018 | World Cup | Gold Medal |
| 2018 | Champions Trophy | Gold Medal |
| 2017 | European Cup | Gold Medal |
| 2017 | Hockey World League | Gold Medal |
| 2016 | Olympic Games | Silver Medal |
| 2016 | Champions Trophy | Silver Medal |
Awards and recognition as coach
| 2025 | Appointed as FIH Master Coach | International Hockey Federation |
| 2024 | FIH Coach of the Year | International Hockey Federation |
| 2024 | Recipient of the Friendship Award | Chinese Government |
| 2023 | FIH Coach of the Year | International Hockey Federation |
| 2021 | Member of Merit of the Dutch Hockey Federation | Royal Dutch Hockey Federation |
| 2021 | Knight in the Order of Oranje Nassau | Royal Dutch decoration |
| 2019 | FIH Coach of the Year | International Hockey Federation |
| 2018 | FIH Coach of the Year | International Hockey Federation |
| 2017 | FIH Coach of the Year | International Hockey Federation |
| 2013 | Coach of the Year | Dutch hockey league |