« Before Québec, I didn’t know how I would like coaching but after, I was convinced that it’s a really great job » – Philip Hickey

Published on 13th February 2023

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Seventh at the last World Championships with the USA women’s Elite team, coach Philip Hickey is starting his second run as head coach. After narrowly missing out on qualification for the semi-finals, this time the podium is clearly the goal. Interview.

How do you remember your last World championship in Québec ?

It was my first worlds as a coach so it was it was a learning experience. I have a lot of good memories I have mostly good memories even if I have less good ones. We were hoping to do better, to contend for a medal. We had a very strong team. In the United States, our team is composed of players from all over. We don’t play together very often so it was very nice to see them learn and come together as a team over the courses of the World Championships, it was very rewarding. Before that Worlds I didn’t know how I would like coaching and after it was over, I was convinced that it’s a really great job.

There is also the quaterfinals, we played a very close game against the Colombians. We lost but it was a really great match. The women played their hearts out and it was just really fantastic to see them get to that level. I’d like to see them get a little higher but everybody played tremendously together and we played a very long match and went to overtime.

Half of the team have changed, how do you feel about it ?

That’s a good change. We have a very strong team again this year. Maybe about half the team are returners from last year and then four or five new players, but all very strong. Our tryouts were very competitive and very difficult decisions to make for the selections.

You’re coaching some of the most experienced players with Tyera and Kristin in Colorado, what do you expect of them ?

I expect the same from everybody, experienced or not experienced. I just want everybody to play well together, to learn each other’s habits and skills and support each other. It’s a team sport, so everybody has to do her own part. If everybody does her part correctly, then we do well as a team.

Do you think the USA squad is stronger than in 2018 ?

Yes, I think this is stronger. We have the players that were in Québec City that are returning and obviously have a little more exprience now. The new players that we’ve added to the team are very fast, fit, strong players. And I just think we have a little more experience and a little more depth this time.

Is the speed the main strength of the USA team ?

It’s one of the main forces. I think we also have a slightly better strategy this time. Our formation and our our plan for how to how to play is improved. I’ve been studying a lot of video and trying to figure out mistakes that we made in Québec City that we can improve on, and things that worked in Québec City that we can continue to do. I think the speed and the fitness are extremely important but I think combining that with a slightly better strategy should give us better results.

After the seventh place in Quebec City, are you aiming for the medal ?

Yes absolutely.

Why not the title ?

With all the uncertainties around the pandemic, we don’t know how strong the other countries will be. So, we don’t want to go in with with unrealistic expectations. But for me, in my heart, I always believe we can win.