FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Susannah Townsend has been named assistant field hockey coach at Fairfield University, beginning with the 2024 season. The announcement was made by Head Field Hockey Coach Jackie Kane on Monday.

"I am very excited to welcome Susannah Townsend to our field hockey program," Coach Kane said. "Her experience both as a player and as a coach will enhance our program and build upon the winning tradition that we have established at Fairfield University. I look forward to working and collaborating with her as we continue to strengthen our position in the field hockey community both regionally and nationally."

Townsend excelled both as a field hockey player and coach on the international scene with her accomplishments leading to her being recognized as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), presented for achievement or service in and to the community in a field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others.

The London native was a top-tier player while representing England and Great Britain in many international championship and Olympic events. She scored 14 goals in 188 caps during her time on the pitch, helping her team capture the gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the bronze medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Her resume also includes a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow followed by a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia. Her medal count started with three bronze medals, a silver medal (Antwerp 2013), and a gold medal (London 2015) at the European Championships.

While experiencing her highly-successful hockey career, Townsend began to teach the game as a coach beginning with her three years as Kings School Canterbury Hockey Coach from 2017-20, supervising the U-12 and U-16 squads. She coached the U-16 team with the Reading Hockey Club from 2010-12 before moving to the younger class with Lambrooke Grove School's U-5 to U-11 teams. She also provided coaching with the first teams at Wycombe High School (2014-16) and Gordons School (2023).

Townsend exhibited her expertise for the game in several club and camp settings including  Evo Hockey Camps, ST9 Hockey Camps at Millfield School, Invasion Field Hockey Camps at Fairfield University, Leap Hockey Clinics throughout the USA and AGH Hockey Club.

Most recently, Townsend has returned from the 2024 Paris Olympics where she served as an ambassador to the stakeholders of Team GB.  Prior to that, she held the Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games .

The Fairfield University field hockey team opens the 2024 season on the road, heading to Bryant University on August 30 for a 3 pm game. The Stags open the home portion of their schedule with a pair of games against the College of the Holy Cross on September 6 at 4 pm and versus La Salle University on September 8 at 1 pm.