Wittenberg University announced the appointment of Bronwen Gainsford as the 10^th head coach in field hockey program history in March 2020.

Gainsford arrived at Wittenberg after five years as the head coach at NCAA Division II member Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina. As the inaugural head coach in program history at Belmont Abbey, Gainsford spent the fall of 2015 recruiting and prepping for the first official intercollegiate season in 2016. She posted an overall record of 23-45 in four seasons at Belmont Abbey, highlighted by back-to-back appearances in the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals in her final two seasons leading the Crusaders.

“I am honored and grateful to President Frandsen and the entire Wittenberg search committee for the opportunity to join the Wittenberg University family and lead a tremendous group of young women,” Gainsford said. “Wittenberg offers a great opportunity to continue to build on a strong foundation, and I am excited to continue to develop the culture.” 

Prior to her time at Belmont Abbey, Gainsford worked for USA Field Hockey, where she was the Region 8 Development and Fundamental Field Hockey Manager. In the role, she represented USA Field Hockey’s programs in the region, provided overall support for all field hockey constituencies in the region, provided advice, support and opportunities to athletes, coaches, umpires and volunteers, maintained database of all field hockey contacts in region and organized, marketed and led all aspects of the USA Field Hockey Futures program.

Gainsford also has previous coaching experience at both the Div. I and III levels, serving as an affiliate coach at James Madison University for the 2014 season and as a graduate assistant at Smith College (MA) for the 2012 and ’13 seasons.

As a player, Gainsford was a goalkeeper at Wake Forest in 2010 and 2011. She played her freshman (2008) and sophomore (2009) seasons at Catawba College, where she began as a defender/midfielder before moving to the goalkeeper position. In 2009, she led all NCAA Division II goalies in saves per game. She served as the team captain and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Gainsford earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication from Wake Forest in 2012 and her Master of Science in exercise and sports studies from Smith College in 2014. She holds a Level II U.S. Field Hockey coaching certification.

Following the conclusion of the 2023 season, Gainsford announced her resignation to pursue professional opportunities in her home state of North Carolina.