Katrina Powell will carry on as head coach of Australia women to “at least” the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Powell, the first female Hockeyroos Head Coach since Colleen Quinn in 1978, was appointed on an interim basis earlier this year to guide the Hockeyroos through their Tokyo Olympic campaign, which ended at the last eight stage to India.
The double Olympian had to go through a five-week selection process alongside other candidates, according to Hockey Australia.
This included two rounds of interviews, reference checks, psychometric testing and a scenario presentation.
Ross Sudano, who chaired the selection panel, said: “Katrina demonstrated an ability to build trust within a high performance environment and has the personal merits and accolades to develop that respect.
“Katrina projected a compelling vision for the Hockeyroos and Australian women’s hockey.”
Powell has held various coaching roles since 2005 following a decorated playing career which included 252 games and 141 goals for the Hockeyroos.
Powell said: “Going through a process like this makes you formulate and provides the opportunity to present your vision.
“Putting that vision together, making it succinct and selling it was a really good process to go through because I’ve got really clear plans on where I want to see this team go.
“Some of the group matches in Tokyo showed what is possible. There are a lot of talented players not only in the current Hockeyroos squad but who are knocking on the door.
“It is about providing players with opportunities through a structured framework of how we want to play but also a licence to take the game on.
“That’s the traditional Australian way of playing – one that is attacking, wanting to take it to the opposition and defend stoutly. Now we need to maximise the opportunities we have created for ourselves.”
After Australia pulled out of the FIH Pro League, their next tests will come at next year’s FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, FIH Pro League competitions and the Oceania Cup, which doubles as an Olympic qualifier.
