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Ada Li

Hong Kong women’s lacrosse team have welcomed new on-site head coach Emily Gray as they begin building towards qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The move marks a shift from long-distance coaching arrangements, with Gray relocating to work directly with the squad during a crucial period in the international calendar.
Previous holders of the position used to coach mainly online, and came to Hong Kong only once a month or during important tournaments.
Gray, who retired from the England side a year ago and from the Great Britain national team recently, will be based mostly in Hong Kong.
She arrived with a decorated playing resume and a clear brief: to be present, raise standards and help Hong Kong close the gap on Asia’s best.

A long-time midfielder for England and Great Britain, Gray won four European Championship gold medals and two World Championship bronze medals, and also captained Great Britain’s Sixes squad at the 2017 World Games.
Off the field, she brings more than a decade of coaching experience, having previously served as head of lacrosse at St Catherine’s School in the UK, where she led teams to multiple national titles and helped develop players for the national pathway.
Gray, who arrived and started coaching the Hong Kong team early this month, has taken a sabbatical from that teaching job to focus fully on the role.
“I wanted to understand the commitment required and make this my priority,” she said. “I want to be on the ground, present and available to the players.”
She said building relationships and trust within the squad would be key to improving performance.
“Having that consistent contact time – being able to speak about tactics, support players, and build connections – can have a really positive impact,” she added.
The immediate focus is October’s Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Sixes Championships on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, where five places at the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships will be up for grabs.
That tournament next year, in turn, offers one of the routes to the Los Angeles Games, with 16 teams chasing four women’s spots.
To keep improving, we need more international matches. That’s how players grow
Emily Gray
Gray admitted that the assignment would be demanding, especially with strong opposition from countries such as Japan and Australia standing in the way.
“The real goal is to qualify,” Gray said. “We know teams like Japan and Australia will be our toughest competition, but the nature of sixes means there are always opportunities.”
The fast-paced sixes format, which will make its debut at the Olympics in 2028, places a premium on decision-making under pressure.
“It’s a very high-intensity game with lots of pressure moments,” she said. “We need to make sure the players are exposed to different scenarios so they can deliver when it matters.”
Having already met the squad in person, Gray said she was encouraged by their attitude and work ethic.
“The commitment is there, and that’s really exciting,” she said. “The intensity of training has already lifted, and the players have shown a lot of respect and willingness to improve.”
Gray believed Hong Kong already had several structural advantages. The squad could train together on a weekly basis, while also having access to a high-performance gym and strength-and-conditioning support.
“[Training on a weekly regular basis] is a huge advantage,” Gray said. “It means they can build team chemistry and accountability on and off the field, rather than just meeting once every few months as some national teams do.”

At the same time, she identified exposure to higher-level competition as a key area for development.
“To keep improving, we need more international matches, whether that’s bringing teams here or travelling overseas,” Gray said. “That’s how players grow.”
Gray also wanted to sharpen the team’s tactical awareness.
“It’s about increasing their understanding of the game so they can make decisions under pressure, rather than always relying on the coach,” Gray said.
Preparations are already under way.
A selection trial will be held in August before the squad travels to England in early September for a series of warm-up matches designed to replicate tournament conditions.
“The aim is to mirror the competition schedule and play four or five games against a mix of opposition,” Gray said.
She added that player selection would prioritise versatility and physical readiness.
“Given the pace of the sixes format, we’re looking for players with strong fitness, speed and the ability to perform at both ends of the field,” Gray said.
While qualification for Los Angeles remained the immediate target, Gray had not ruled out longer-term ambitions, including the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“[Qualifying for 2028 Olympics] is a big task, but nothing is out of reach,” she said. “It’s about taking the right steps, building the right framework and preparing players to meet those expectations.
“With the Olympics as the dream, we want to aim as high as we can.”


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The new lacrosse women’s head coach, Emily Gray (right), overseeing team training at GoPark. Photo: Elson Li

New head coach Emily Gray aims to close the gap on Asia’s best teams. Photo: Elson Li

Emily Gray (left) says she is encouraged by the Hong Kong squad’s attitude and work ethic. Photo: Elson Li

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Oscar Coggins on the podium with winner Li Mingxu (centre) and Kazushi Jozuka, the silver medallist (left). Photo: Handout

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Hong Kong table tennis players Wong Chun-ting  (left) and Doo Hoi-kem in action at the WTT Contender event in Zagreb. Photo: WTT

Head coach Li Ching is pleased to see Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kem overcome adversity. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sport

Hong Kong

Other Sport

Unlike previous coaches, ex-Great Britain midfielder Emily Gray will be based in the city to coach the team during its critical periods


Unlike previous coaches, ex-Great Britain midfielder Emily Gray will be based in the city to coach the team during its critical periods.


Hong Kong sports

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games

New women’s lacrosse team coach to be ‘present’ as Hong Kong aims for 2028 Olympic Games

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Unlike previous coaches, ex-Great Britain midfielder Emily Gray will be based in the city to coach the team during its critical periods

Unlike previous coaches, ex-Great Britain midfielder Emily Gray will be based in the city to coach the team during its critical periods