U18 Women’s National Management Team Update

Ice Hockey Australia – U18 Women’s National Management Team Update

Melbourne, Australia – Following a detailed recruitment process, Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) announces the leadership team for the forthcoming U18 Women’s World Championships in Turkiye, 25 – 31 January 2027.

Head Coach – Michael O’Grady
Assistant Coach - Annelie Kvisle
Assistant Coach – Sarah Edney
Equipment Manager/Goalie Coach/Assistant Team Manager - Gabe Robledo

Head Coach Mike O’Grady has shared, ‘I am honoured to have been appointed as Head Coach for the Australian U18 Women's National team. I would like to thank Ice Hockey Australia and the Selection Committee members for giving me the opportunity to lead the program and work with great staff, Assistant Coaches Sarah Edney and Annelie Kvisle, and Goalie Coach and Assistant TM Gabe Robello. I look forward to leading the Junior Flyers and building an environment where our players can achieve competitive excellence, develop their skills and hockey IQ, and support everyone involved within our program’.

The Assistant Coaches shared their insights, with Annelie conveying, ‘I’m incredibly grateful and thrilled to have been given the opportunity to take my coaching to the next level and represent Australia on the international stage. This is an exciting new chapter, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together, both on and off the ice, while helping this talented group reach their potential. There’s something pretty special about wearing the green and gold and I’m looking forward to doing Australia proud’. Sarah added ‘I’m incredibly honoured and proud to be joining the team as an Assistant Coach. I’m excited to help create an environment where the players can challenge themselves, grow in confidence, and perform at their best. Representing your country is an incredible privilege, and I’m really looking forward to sharing my experience, supporting the players and helping them make the most of this opportunity’.

Gabe Robledo will hold a versatile role as Goalie Coach, Equipment Manager and Assistant Team Manager and shares ‘We've stepped in to a tough campaign with a brand-new generation. That being said, the standard of what this jersey represents hasn't changed and now we need to climb again.'

As we continue to evolve and focus on both growth of the sport and sustainable governance - we thank our wider community for their support. Particularly thanks to those who perform these important roles and acknowledgment of their efforts; as a sport largely powered by volunteers we are grateful.

Please reach out if you have any questions and look out for the Expressions of Interest in the future if you or someone you know would like to be involved.

For more information on ice hockey in Australia, visit www.iha.org.au