Brian Glencross, the Western Australian great who is credited with revolutionising the women’s game, has died at the age of 81.
A triple Olympian, Glencross represented Australia as a full-back in 85 consecutive international matches between 1964 and 1972. He also captained Australia from 1968 to 1973.
Following a successful playing career, Glencross turned to coaching and led the Hockeyroos from 1980 to 1992. He turned around the team’s fortunes and instilled an unrivalled competitiveness in the squad, culminating with Olympic gold in 1988.
“He’s an icon of Australian hockey,” said Richard Aggiss, who helped set up the hockey programme for the Australian Institute of Sport with Glencross.
“He loved the game and lived for the game. He was so disciplined and had a game plan that everybody had to stick to.”
Glencross won bronze at his first Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964 and a silver medal in Mexico City in 1968. He was leading goalscorer, with seven goals.
Following playing and coaching, Glencross was rightly recognised with inductions into a variety of hall of fames
Ric Charlesworth recalled: “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 the world’s best.”
Glencross died after a long battle with neurological disease.
