New Delhi, November 7, 2025 – Soorma Hockey Club has announced the appointment of Philippe Goldberg, a Belgian Olympian, as their new Head Coach ahead of the second season of the Hockey India League (HIL). The club revealed the decision on Friday, marking a significant change in their coaching setup.
Goldberg, a former field hockey player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, brings a wealth of experience to the team. His resume includes a European medal and coaching stints with Belgium's U21 and senior national teams, where he played a key role in the country's rise to prominence in the sport.
"Joining Soorma Hockey Club is an exciting opportunity to contribute to India's evolving hockey landscape," Goldberg stated in a release. He added, "The team has laid a strong foundation, and my goal is to enhance it with a strategic framework that encourages discipline, creativity, and sustained performance. Together, we'll build a brand of hockey that's bold, intelligent, and unmistakably Soorma".
Alongside Goldberg, Olympian Ignacio Ricardo Bergner of Argentina joins the team as Analytical Coach. Bergner, also a former international player, contributed to Belgium's success, including their 2016 World Cup runner-up finish and 2017 European Championship victory. He later coached Argentina's senior and women's national sides.
The club's current Head Coach, Jeroen Baart, will transition into an advisory role, where he will continue to contribute to the team's strategy and technical planning throughout the season. Baart was previously the head coach of the under-21 Belgium team.
Soorma Hockey Club had an impressive debut season, finishing third in the HIL. The team has retained most of its core players, maintaining the heart of the team. The team is led by Harmanpreet Singh.
Arjun Halappa, Technical Director of Soorma Hockey Club, commented on the new appointments, "The addition of Philippe and Ignacio marks a significant step in our journey as a team. Philippe's approach to building structured hockey teams that express themselves aligns perfectly with our playing philosophy,". He further added, "Ignacio's analytical depth will elevate our match preparation and tactical execution. With this combination of experience and innovation, we're looking forward to taking Soorma Hockey Club to greater heights in the upcoming season".
Soorma Hockey Club is owned by JSW Sports and based out of Punjab and Haryana. The team has both men's and women's teams. The Hockey India League 2024-25 saw Soorma Hockey Club's women's team as runners-up and the men's team finish third. Former Indian captains Sardar Singh and Rani Rampal joined Soorma Hockey Club as coaches and mentors last year.
