Life Member - Brian Glencross OAM

The 190^th player to represent Australia, Brian Glencross OAM went on to play 93 times for Australia, scoring 37 goals in a career that spanned 11 years.

Brian made his debut for Australia in Melbourne on 19 September 1964 against Pakistan in the lead up to the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.

As a member of the Kookaburras, Brian won a bronze medal and silver medal at consecutive Olympic Games - bronze in 1964 and silver four years later in Mexico City.

In Mexico, Brian was appointed Vice Captain but was in effect captain for the entire program, as Don McWatters was unable to take the field. Australia defeated India in the semi-final before going down to Pakistan to take silver. Brian top scored in these games with 7 goals and then went on to captain the team at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Brian was appointed the inaugural Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) women's hockey coach in 1984, a position he would hold up until 1995.

He coached the Australian Women’s national team, the Hockeyroos, at three Olympic Games, which included the gold medal in Seoul 1988. He was also in charge of the team at four World Cups and three Champions Trophy tournaments.

Induction into the Hockey Australia and Sport Australia Halls of Fame, a Medal of the Order of Australia, Centenary Medal, and Australian Sports Medal are among a raft of accolades he has received for his efforts and achievements.

Under his guidance, the Hockeyroos achieved outstanding results, highlighted by the Olympic gold medal in Seoul and the silver medal at the 1990 World Cup.

Brian’s influence on Australian hockey, particularly at the international level, cannot be understated. Brian's Life Membership was ratified in 2019.

What he said…
“Thank you to Hockey Australia for this recognition, which I am honoured to receive. Hockey has given me a lifetime of opportunities. Reaching the pinnacle in the sport, both playing and coaching, opened doors for me and enabled me to achieve my goals, for which I am most grateful.” Brian Glencross OAM

From those in the know…
“Brian Glencross is a giant of the game of hockey in Australia. He was born in Narrogin in the wheatbelt of Western Australia and forged a career in the game that saw him play in three Olympic Games. In ‘68 he was instrumental in Australia’s silver medal win where his corner hitting was seen as world’s best.

His decade in the national team and two decades playing for WA, many years as captain of both, was then followed by over a decade as coach of the national women’s team the Hockeyroos. A terrific competitor, superbly disciplined and skilled, Brian was the first to really take preparation and training to a professional level. Totally absorbed in the game he loved so much and to which he gave so much, he was the consummate team player and a reliable and trusted colleague. He worked with me during the 90s as High Performance Manager for the Hockeyroos and played a pivotal role in ensuring the team’s success was extended into the Atlanta and Sydney games.

I know of few personalities in the game who have contributed more than Brian over many decades…he loved the game and he worked hard to make his teammates better and help those he coached to realise their potential. Truly a hockey great.” Ric Charlesworth AO (Hockey Australia Legend)

Hockey Timeline
Player
Australia
1964-1975 Men’s National Team
1964 Tokyo Olympic Games Bronze Medal
1968 Mexico City Olympic Games Silver Medal

Coach
Australia
1984-1995 Women’s National Team Coach
1981 America’s Cup Gold Medal
1983 World Cup Bronze Medal
1987 Champions Trophy Silver Medal
1988 Olympic Games Gold Medal
1990 World Cup Gold Medal

Awards
1968 WA Sports Federations Sportsman of the Year
1991 Medal of the Order of Australia
1991 Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame
1996 Inducted into the WA Hall of Champions
2000 Awarded the Australian Sports Medal
2001 Awarded the Centenary Medal
2008 Inducted into the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame