Kookaburras’ Coach, Colin Batch signs off after stellar eight years at the helm
Published Sun 01 Sep 2024
Kookaburras’ Head Coach, Colin Batch, has announced he is stepping down following eight years at the helm of the men’s national hockey team.
Colin is considered one of the Kookaburras’ most successful Head Coaches. His tenure in the lead role since 2016 saw the team win two Commonwealth Games Gold Medals, the Olympics Silver Medal in Tokyo, six FIH international tournament Championship titles and the last three Oceania Cups, the most recent of which qualified the men’s Australian team for the Paris Olympic Games.
Despite not making the podium at this year’s Games, Colin guided the Kookaburras to seal the 2023/2024 FIH Pro League Champions crown in June earlier this year, a feat he also helped attain back in 2019. It was a truly significant achievement with Australia securing 10 impressive victories over some of the world’s best hockey outfits, including Germany, India and the Netherlands.
It’s a testament to the legacy that Colin will leave, with the win securing Australia’s automatic qualification in the next Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2026 – the only nation to do so other than Belgium and Holland as hosts.
“The Kookaburras have been a major part of my life, as a player, Assistant and Head Coach for almost 30 years. I am extremely proud to have been part of this program, which has seen much success,” Batch said.
“I have been privileged to lead the Kookaburras for the last eight years and appreciate the support of Hockey Australia, all staff and players that have been involved in the program. I also want to thank and acknowledge the support of my wife, my children and all my family who have ridden the highs and lows of competition. I wish the Kookaburras the very best success in the future.”
Hockey Australia’s High-Performance Director, Bernard Savage said the legacy that Colin leaves with the Kookaburras cannot be overstated.
“He has overseen a period of consistently high-level performance, making the Kookaburras one of the most successful Australian Teams,” Savage said.
“Not only has Colin developed great players, his focus and attention on developing people has supported success on and off pitch for the Kookaburras.
“In his time as Head Coach, Colin played, and continues to play, and integral role in the development of many players, including legendary Kookaburras, Eddie Ockenden and Mark Knowles. Mark was named as flag bearer for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, while Eddie was named as flag bearer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and, most recently in Paris, became only the second hockey player to be named as the flag bearer for the Australian Olympic Team. These are tremendous honours for the individuals, bestowed only to those of the finest character that Colin has no doubt had a hand in shaping.
“On a personal level, I have really enjoyed working closely with Colin across the Paris cycle. I have learnt a great deal from Colin. I have the utmost respect for him, his coaching, his continuous quest to learn and grow and his commitment to and care for the players, coaches and staff. The values and behaviours Colin demonstrates embodies all it means to be a proud Kookaburra.
“Colin leaves the program in a great position and Kookaburra success well into the LA cycle will have his mark on it. I cannot thank Colin enough and wish him all the best and every success in the next stage.”
Top row, first on left, Colin Batch stands with the 1983 Champions Trophy winning Kookaburras
Colin’s involvement with the Kookaburras started back in 1979 as the 251st capped player, who went on to make 175 appearances for Australia, including several years as Vice-Captain. His coaching career began in 2001 as the Assistant Coach for the Kookaburras, a role he held until 2008, during which time the team won Olympic Gold in 2004 and Bronze in 2008.
During his time as Head Coach, Colin has also been a key mentor to the Kookaburras’ assistant Coaches and the men’s National Junior Coach. His leadership and direction has continuously extended across Hockey Australia’s high-performance program and development pathways, through everything from regular communication to a series of workshops and seminars.
Colin’s career as Head Coach has involved several highlights, including the Gold Medal at the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where Australia overcame hosts, England and a strong Indian side to secure top spot on the podium. Colin was also pitch-side at the nail-biting Tokyo Olympics Gold Medal match where Australia, who were drawn 1-1 with Belgium at full-time, took home silver after being narrowly beaten 3-2 in the shootout.
Colin was inducted into the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame in 2021 and named the FIH Men’s Coach of the Year in 2019, a fitting reward having helped the Kookaburras win the inaugural FIH Pro League and another Oceania Cup that same year.
Colin’s coaching career extends internationally including for Club Hockey in Belgium from 2009-2011, during which time he was appointed as the Head Coach of Belgium’s national men’s team, a role he occupied from 2010-2012. He also coached New Zealand from 2012-2016.
As a player, Colin was a member of the Australian Men’s Gold Medal winning team at the 1986 World Cup and twice a bronze medallist at the 1982 and 1990 World Cups. He competed at two Olympic Games, Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 and was selected for a third in 1980, but the team did not travel to Moscow due to the international boycott.
Tournament History as Kookaburras Head Coach
• 2023/2024 FIH Pro League Champions
• 2022/2023 FIH Pro League (7th place)
• 2023 Oceania Cup Champions
• 2023 World Cup (4th place)
• 2022 Commonwealth Games (Gold Medal)
• 2022 Oceania Cup (cancelled due to Covid)
• 2021/2022 FIH Pro League (did not compete due to Covid)
• 2021 (2020) Olympic Games (Silver Medal)
• 2020/2021 FIH Pro League* Runners Up
• 2019 FIH Pro League Champions
• 2019 Oceania Cup Champions
• 2018 World Cup (third place)
• 2018 Hockey Champions Trophy Champions
• 2018 Commonwealth Games (Gold Medal)
• 2018 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Champions
• 2016/2017 FIH World League Final Champions
• 2017 Oceania Cup Champions
• 2017 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Runners Up
*Incomplete season due to COVID
