New coaching structure for Australian Indoor Hockey
Published Tue 31 Oct 2023
Australian Indoor hockey has reached a significant juncture with the announcement of a new coaching line up and structure aimed at lifting the levels of the sport and achieving greater and sustained success at the top level.
Following a review after the last FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, Hockey Australia (HA) has implemented a new coaching arrangement aimed at benefitting and enhancing the depth and standard of Australian Indoor hockey.
A new team of coaches has been selected including Lauren Austin, Troy Rossiter, Nathan Dart, Brett Herrington and Emma McLeish, with a sixth person still to be confirmed.
This new team of coaches will work together with HA over the next two months to plan out the preparation for the 2025 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup.
At the conclusion of January’s 2024 Australian Indoor Championships, HA will appoint three coaches (Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Development Coach) for the national women’s and men’s Indoor teams, from this new cohort.
“Each of these coaches will lead their respective State/Territory teams at the 2024 Australian Indoor Championships,” said Hockey Australia Workforce Development Manager Peter Wroblewski.
“Off of the back of their performances, the national Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Development Coach appointments will be finalised.”
“They will then all play active roles with the national Open, Under 21 and Under 18 squads.”
Wroblewski said this new direction is an exciting time for Australian Indoor hockey.
“With the implementation of this new coaching structure, we want to provide more opportunities for coaches to gain experience on the national stage, but most importantly we want to provide a greater experience for the athletes.”
“Australia has a proud history in the indoor format and we want to ensure the high performance pathway has a strong coaching foundation.”
“Building a culture of collaboration, engagement and teamwork will put Indoor hockey in Australia in the best position to have success at the 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup.”
“We sincerely thank Mark Sandhu and Steve Willer for their longstanding service and dedication to leading Australia’s Indoor hockey teams.”
“They have both done so much for Australian Indoor hockey and the game is in a position to flourish.”
