Jenn Wishart has been named head coach of the University of Calgary Dinos field hockey team, returning to lead the program where she was a standout student-athlete and assistant coach.
A Calgary native takes the helm
A Calgary native, Wishart spent five years as a student-athlete with the Dinos from 2017 to 2021 before joining the coaching staff in 2023. After three years assisting with day-to-day operations and player development, she now takes over the program she has called home for nearly a decade.
“Jenn has put in the work to prepare herself to take on this new challenge, and we are delighted to welcome her as the next head coach of a Dinos team she cares about deeply,” said Dinos athletics director Ben Matchett.
Tremendous honour and deep appreciation
“This is a tremendous honour, particularly after being part of this team for so long,” Wishart said. “I have great appreciation for what this team represents and the people who make it special. I’m excited to help lead and continue building something we’re all proud of.”
Since joining the coaching staff in 2023, Wishart has supported practice planning and delivery, video analysis, and recruiting. She recently participated in the U SPORTS Female Apprentice Coach Program, funded by Sport Canada, which supports the development of women coaches across Canadian universities.
Extensive coaching and playing career
Beyond her work with the Dinos, Wishart has held several roles with Field Hockey Canada, including coaching at the Calgary training centre for the women’s NextGen program. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach with Canada’s U16 youth team, which competed in Poznan, Poland, this spring. She has also coached with Field Hockey Alberta, Cougars Field Hockey Club, Legacy Academy, and high schools in Calgary.
As a player, Wishart received the Canada West Outstanding Contributor Award in 2021 for her impact on the team and Calgary’s field hockey community. A multiple-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, she earned bachelor’s degrees in education and kinesiology from the University of Calgary in 2022. Away from the pitch, Wishart works as a high school teacher.
Head coaching debut set for September
Wishart will make her head coaching debut on Sept. 12, when the Dinos open the 2026 season against the Victoria Vikes at Hawkings Field.
