Former Hockeyroos Head Coach Adam Commens (left) and former Kookaburras Head Coach Graham Reid
Both the Australian Hockeyroos and Kookaburras are currently without an appointed Head Coach. First it was Adam Commens (Hockeyroos Head Coach) and just recently Graham Reid (Kookaburras Head Coach) submitted his resignation. The search is on. Who will be given, what can be only considered a very responsible and challenging role to reposition Australian hockey after the Rio Olympics disappointments?
In this Olympic year there were high expectations for the Australian men’s (ranked number 1 in the world) and women’s (ranked number 3) teams to leave Rio with Olympic Medals around their necks. However, even though it is old news now, it was not to be. All the blood, sweat, and tears that go into preparing for Olympic success have to begin again for the road to Tokyo in 2020. It involves a huge commitment and it brings with it also much in terms of personal sacrifices that must be made by players, coaches and support staff. Appointed National Coaches must have ‘broad shoulders’ to bear the weight of a nation who have their sights set upon their sport receiving Olympic Gold or at least an Olympic Medal.
After the disappointing Rio Olympics campaign the hockey fraternity received news of Adam Commens the Hockeyroos Head Coach having his contract terminated by Hockey Australia amid allegations of serious misconduct. It was disappointing that the incident scarred his career, especially after being at the helm since 2011 and that Adam, a former Kookaburra, had previously advised Hockey Australia in February that he would not seek to renew his contract after the Rio Olympics as he was moving to Belgium to be with his family. Before the Rio Olympics, Hockey Australia arranged for Senior Assistant Head Coach Jason Duff to be Interim Head Coach following the team’s return to training after the Olympics.
Then on October 13 Hockey Australia released news that Kookaburras Head Coach Graham Reid would not seek to renew his contract with the men’s national team when it concludes on December 31 this year. Former Kookaburra Reid relinquished his position after two years as the program’s Head Coach during which time he saw the Kookaburras through the Rio Olympic Games, as well as winning the 2016 Champions Trophy, the 2015 World League Final and the 2015 Oceania Cup. Prior to being head coach Graham held the position of Assistant Coach or Interim Coach with the Kookaburras.
At the time of his announcement Reid said of his decision: “I have decided that after 8 years with the Men’s Program, six as Assistant Coach and two as Head Coach, that it is the right time for a change in direction for both the program and myself. This has been a tough decision and I respect Hockey Australia giving me time to consider all options. My passion for the Kookaburras, the sport and its future success will always remain”. Kookaburras Assistant Coach, Paul Gaudoin became the Interim Kookaburras Head Coach for the period across the trans-Tasman Series and International Festival of Hockey which will take place in November.
It is an interesting inference Graham Reid made, i.e., “…the right time for a change in direction for both the program and myself”. One cannot help but generalise by saying that the ‘weight of responsibility’ in ensuring Australia hockey teams constantly achieve International competition success can take its personal toll on our National appointed Head Coaches.
Therefore the selection process is underway to find a new Head Coach for the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras for what will be a real demanding or pressure role for whoever is selected. He or she will need to reposition the Hockeyroos up the FIH rankings and he or she will need to break the psychological Olympic Gold voodoo for the number 1 world ranked Kookaburras. Both appointed Head Coaches will be challenged to ensure the National teams bring home a medal, preferably gold, from the next 2018 World Cup, 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Why? Non-professional and semi- professional sports like hockey in Australia is dependent on government funding and government funding recipients need to achieve success or the funding dries up. Hence the sport suffers in many ways. As members of the Australian hockey fraternity let us unite to give as much support as we can for the new Head Coach appointees.
Go Hockey News thanks both Adam and Graham for the timeless and sometimes thankless work you put into making Australian hockey great.
Source: adapted Hockey Australia
