Kookaburras great appointed National Men’s Junior Coach

The ‘conveyor belt’ bringing through the next crop of Australian men’s hockey stars is in great hands with the appointment of former Kookaburra Jay Stacy as Australia’s Junior (U21) Men’s Coach.

Having become a highly respected and regarded coach after his retirement from playing, Stacy joins fellow Kookaburras legend Mark Knowles (Hockey Australia’s National Athlete Pathway Program Technical Lead – Men) with the task of identifying, guiding and overseeing the next generation of Australian men’s hockey talent with a focus on the Junior Hockey Men’s World Cup in Malaysia in December 2023.

A four-time Olympian which bore a silver and two bronze medals, Stacy will continue his role as the Men’s Head Coach of the Victorian Institute of Sport’s (VIS) Hockey Program, a position he has held since 2010.

He played 321 games and scored 172 goals for the Kookaburras and was named the best men’s hockey player in the world in 1999.

Now it is Stacy’s coaching prowess and the learnings, experience and expertise he has gathered in the coaching realm that has seen him appointed to lead the ‘Burras’, Australia’s men’s national junior program.

Further to his time with VIS, Stacy had a season coaching in Belgium and coached Dabang Mumbai HC in the Hockey India League in 2016 and 2017. Add in opportunities with Australia A select teams and Stacy has accumulated a vast coaching portfolio.

“The Australian Men’s Junior Head Coach is a prestigious position within Australian hockey so it’s a huge thrill to be given this opportunity and responsibility,” said Stacy.

“I don’t underestimate the importance of it and look forward to the challenge and journey ahead.

“First and foremost I love hockey and have played it and coached it for a long period of time, so there is a deep passion for the sport in Australia. With that comes responsibility and I’m fully aware of that.

“I represented Australia a long time ago at a Junior World Cup. We had a successful preparation for that tournament and I’d like to be as successful with this group.”

With the Burras being the breeding ground for future Kookaburras, Stacy is eager to mirror the Kookaburras program to provide a consistency and seamless transition for the athletes who take the next step.

“We want to align with the Kookaburras whenever possible,” said Stacy.

“From a technical and tactical perspective and in terms of values and culture, we want to align with the Kookaburras so we are producing the athletes ready for the next part of their journey.”

Knowles said Stacy is in a really good space in his coaching and ready for the challenge.

“Jay has shown that he can coach at the highest level. He coached Victoria to the Australian Hockey League title in 2016 and 2017 – the first time the state had won the men’s competition in over 20 years,” said Knowles.

“He went on to lead Dabang Mumbai in the Hockey India League and has proven that he can lead a team in a really tough competition.

“Jay is aware of the importance of the role and the way he speaks about the Burras being a conveyor belt to the Kookaburras gives us great optimism.

“He has spoken to Colin Batch (Kookaburras Coach) about how this program will align with what the Kookaburras are doing and we are really excited to have someone of Jay’s stature leading that.”

Stacy will attend next month’s Domestic Series on the Gold Coast where he will put his first stamp on the program by narrowing the Burras squad down from 40 to 27 athletes.

With Stacy’s appointment, Knowles thanked and acknowledged Ben Bishop, who had been in the role since May 2015.

“I want to sincerely thank Ben for his six outstanding years of coaching service to this program,” said Knowles.

“He took the team to two Junior World Cups where they finished third on both occasions. He missed out on guiding the team at the World Cup last year December due to Australia’s non attendance because of COVID. But to coach three Junior World Cup campaigns is an outstanding effort and the junior men’s program is in a stronger position because of Ben’s impact.”

“We look forward to him continuing to be a strong advocate for the sport as the ACT Academy of Sport’s Men’s and Women’s Hockey Lead and in whatever future opportunities come his way.”

Jay Stacy Fact File
Kookaburras Playing Career (1987-2000)
321 appearances (172 goals)
Four-time Olympian (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000)
Three-time Olympic medallist (1x Silver, 2x Bronze)
FIH (International Hockey Federation) Player of the Year (1999)
Champions Trophy Winner

Coaching Career
2010-Present Men’s Head Coach, Victorian Institute of Sport Hockey Program
2016-2017 Men’s Head Coach, Dabang Mumbai HC (Hockey India League)
2010-2018 Men’s Head Coach, Victoria Vikings (Australian Hockey League)
2005/06 Men’s Head Coach, KHC Dragons (Belgium)
1998 Academy Coach, Oranje Zwart (Netherlands)