Hockey: Australian to coach Black Sticks in run-up to Olympics

An Australian is to take charge of the New Zealand women's team.

Ian Rutledge, 30, is the first overseas coach appointed by New Zealand Hockey since Pieter Jonejan, of the Netherlands, was named national coaching director in the late 1970s.

He works for Hockey Australia as the men's national training centre coach in Canberra, and is head coach of the Canberra Lakers, wholast year included New Zealander Ryan Archibald.

Rutledge replaces Jan Borren, who stood down after the World Cup last year, when the Black Sticks' ranking dropped to No 11.

But under Borren they achieved what no other previous national team have been able to do - remain in the top six of world hockey for four years from 1998 to 2002.

"New Zealand hockey's preference has been to appoint and foster home-grown talent and Ian Rutledge's appointment is definitely not seen as a trend for future appointments," New Zealand Hockey chief executive Ramesh Patel said.

"We are confident our coaches have the ability and will continue to be appointed in the future."

Rutledge's first major assignment will be to qualify New Zealand for next year's Olympic Games in Athens.

They could qualify automatically if they beat present Olympic champions Australia in the Oceania Olympic qualifying series in May.

If they are not successful in the Oceania series, they will have a chance to qualify by finishing in the top four when New Zealand host the Olympic qualifying tournament in Manukau City in March next year.

Rutledge will start his employment with New Zealand Hockey in April for a term of up to 3 1/2 years through to the World Cup and Commonwealth Games in 2006.

"New Zealand have been one of the world's top sides for the past few years," Rutledge said. "I look forward to assisting the girls in reaching that standard again and developing an environment that will propel the team even further.

"I have immense respect for New Zealand hockey considering the quality of players and teams that it has produced over the years."

New Zealand Hockey will use Rutledge not only as national coach but in other high-performance areas in his fulltime role.

- NZPA