Ric Charlesworth headlines new Hockeyroos selection panel

Hockey Australia has confirmed the selection panel for the National Women’s Squad, with highly successful Olympic gold medal winning coach Ric Charlesworth the Board Appointed Selector.

Charlesworth, who guided the Hockeyroos to Olympic gold in 1996 and 2000, forms part of a four-person selection panel alongside Head Coach Katrina Powell and Assistant Coaches Katie Allen and Jeremy Davy.

The selection panel will be responsible for making decisions on future selections to the Hockeyroos squad.

Charlesworth’s position, which will run until 17 August 2021 post Tokyo, will see him contribute to Hockeyroos squad and Olympic team selection.

He will also work with the coaching staff as a mentor, offer support and advice, while also assisting with scouting and preparation for the Olympic Games.

“To have someone of Ric’s calibre, experience and knowledge in this position is a huge fillip for the Women’s National High Performance Program and the HA Board,” said HA President Mel Woosnam.

“Ric is Australian hockey’s most decorated coach. He is a highly astute assessor of player talent and his experience and expertise in a high performance environment will be invaluable.

“We are grateful that he has accepted this role.”

On his appointment, Charlesworth said: “The Hockeyroos have always been close to my heart and I believe we owe the athletes their best chance in Tokyo.

“After some turbulent months it will be a challenge to quickly understand the group. This will necessarily entail closely observing their games, training and interactions.

“I believe I can do this while also being available as a sounding board for the coaches. My position should allow me to also play a mentoring role.

“Of course my primary focus will be on ensuring we have the best team working together to achieve in Tokyo.”

Powell, who played under Charlesworth in the successful 1996 and 2000 Olympic campaigns, said she was excited about having him involved.

“Being in just my third week in charge of the Hockeyroos and with the Olympics so close, having Ric come in as a selector and a support for us as a coaching group is going to be hugely beneficial,” said Powell.

“As a collective I am confident we will select and work with the team that has the best chance of being successful in Tokyo.”

Charlesworth replaces Sharon Buchanan OAM, who intended to finish as the Board Appointed Selector last year after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics before they were postponed.

“As a former Hockeyroos captain, gold medallist and true legend of the game, we were extremely fortunate to have someone of Sharon’s experience, knowledge and integrity as the HA Board Appointed Selector,” said Woosnam.