Athletics: Hollingsworth going back to Melbourne

Eric Hollingsworth has turned his back on New Zealand athletics but vows to retain an association with the sport here.

The performance manager for Athletics New Zealand for the past year, Hollingsworth is to return to Melbourne and a job with Football Federation Victoria at the end of the month.

"I'm going back to football," said Hollingsworth yesterday after stunning the national body with his decision to quit one year into his three-year contract.

"I'm very disappointed, but a new challenge beckons."

Hollingsworth's wife and children remained in Melbourne during his time here.

"That, and an attractive contract from the state soccer federation, were enough to lure him back across the Tasman.

"I will still be doing some [athletics] coaching both in Melbourne and with New Zealand athletes," said Hollingsworth, who coaches the New Zealand 400m hurdler Nick O'Brien. While Hollingsworth's hard-nosed attitude, especially towards team selections, did not find universal support, most agree he has moved the sport forward in his time here.

A former British decathlon representative, Hollingsworth came to New Zealand after three years as head track and field coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport.

Athletics New Zealand chief executive Jeremy Kennerley admits he was surprised by Hollingsworth's decision but said he had laid the foundation from which the association would look to build.

"The professional and objective approach that he brought to the performance programme must be his legacy and will be continued," said Kennerley.

"There will be no rush to replace him now that the ground work has been done."