BIDDEFORD, Maine -- University of New England Director of Athletics Kim Allen announced this morning that Jane Hurt has been hired as head field hockey coach. Hurt replaces Joan Howard, who stepped aside from her coaching duties in December to become an assistant athletics director at UNE.

A native of England, Hurt has been head coach of West Herts Hockey Club since 2003. In her role with West Herts, she oversees four women's teams and one junior team in the East of England Premier Division -- the second flight of the UK's National Hockey League. 

In addition to her coaching duties, Hurt has been head of the Performing Arts Faculty at Northwood College in Middlesex since 2002.. Prior to that, she was a physical education teacher and hockey coach at The Royal Masonic School for nine years.

Hurt boasts an impressive playing resume beginning in 1985 and continuing to this season. She started her English club career with Ealing Hockey Club and went on to represent St. Albans Hockey Club and West Herts as a player/coach. During her time with Ealing, Hurt was a member of the 1989 and 1990 England Club national championship team and went on to compete in the European Club Championships. Hurt was selected to Middlesex County teams (1985-1995), the South of England team (1986-1991) England  U21 Training Squad (1989-2001) and  the Senior England Indoor Training Squad (2002).

"Jane has an expansive knowledge of the sport of field hockey," Allen said of Hurt. "Her coaching and playing experiences are very impressive and her ability to teach the sport should pay immediate dividends for our talented players. We are extremely fortunate to add someone with Jane's qualifications to our staff."

Hurt is excited to build upon the success achieved by the Nor'easters this past season.

"I am looking forward to jumping the pond and making my way to the University of New England," Hurt said. "The prospect of working with a team that did so well last year is exciting. I am grateful for the opportunity to work in such a forward-thinking and successful athletics department."

UNE posted a school-record 16 wins in 2009 on its way to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England championship. The Nor'easters had one all-American and seven all-conference selections.

Hurt will begin her new post at UNE in August.