Ric Charlesworth has announced he will step down as coach of the Australian men’s hockey side after the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in August.
During six years in the role, the 1986 World Cup gold medallist coached the Kookaburras to World Cup and Commonwealth Games wins, an Olympic bronze medal and four Champions Trophy gold medals.
He also coached the Hockeyroos to Olympic gold in 1996 and 2000 and World Cup gold in 1994 and 1998.
The West Australian was selected for five Olympic games as a player (although Australia boycotted Moscow 1980) and won a silver medal in Montreal (1976). Somewhere along the way he found time to play first class cricket, pursue a medical career and be a member of parliament.
“I believe it is the right time to reassign my priorities for my family; my wife, children and grandchildren,” said the 62-year-old. “I am no longer keen on spending up to three months a year away and overseas as one must do as the national coach of the Kookaburras.
“I have long believed that coaches can stay too long. The Kookaburras are in good shape and can be further refreshed by a new head coach as they head towards the Rio Olympics.”
