Hockey: Aussie picked for key role at Hockey NZ

Melbourne-based Victorian Institute of Sport high performance hockey manager Toni Cumpston has joined the outflow of top Australians across the Tasman.

Cumpston, 42, was yesterday announced as Hockey New Zealand's first high performance manager.

But her decision to come was all in the timing.

Soon after she had been interviewed for the role, Australian women's coach Frank Murray quit. Cumpston admits she could have been in line to take that role.

"I was surprised when Frank Murray quit mid-term and I was tempted to look at it but I was really interested in the position in New Zealand," said Cumpston yesterday. "I think I would have got an interview had I applied."

In recent times Ian Rutledge, and now Mark Hager have coached the New Zealand women's team. Jason Butcher was this year appointed Auckland Hockey's technical director and Ian Hicks, another Australian, is the national body's video analyst.

Hockey New Zealand chief executive Hilary Poole has no qualms about the national association continuing to appoint top Australians to key roles.

"Toni brings with her an incredible hockey pedigree and knowledge that I know will take our elite programme to the next level."

Cumpston was at the Athens and Beijing Olympics and the Manchester and Melbourne Commonwealth Games as an assistant coach working at times with Hager.

"I am not surprised Australians keep going to New Zealand for roles like this," said Cumpston. "There are not a lot of high performance roles available and there are quite a lot of Australian coaches working around the world."

Cumpston, who arrives with her husband "and our dog" next month, is due to start with Hockey New Zealand on November 8.

"While I have not set any goals, I would like to see both New Zealand teams in the top four or six in the world," she said.

Like Hager, Cumpston is keen to see New Zealand teams play regularly at Junior World Cup tournaments. Poole will certainly back her in that.