Hockey: Black Sticks coach Colin Batch stepping down

Black Sticks head coach Colin Batch is stepping down. Photo / Photosport

Hockey New Zealand has confirmed that Colin Batch will step down as head coach of the Black Sticks men, effective immediately.

Hockey New Zealand high performance director Terry Evans said that being away from his family in Australia for eight years was Batch's main reason for returning home.

"Colin has developed an international programme that will lead to success into the future, making the role of head coach of the Black Sticks men one that we know will be sought after by coaches locally and around the world."

Batch, a former Australian international, led the Black Sticks for the past four years leading on from the London 2012 Olympics.

Prior to that he was head coach of the Belgium men for two years, and was assistant coach of the Australian men for eight years which included two successful Olympic campaigns. He also played 175 internationals for Australia.

Batch oversaw a major culture shift during his time as coach and achieved a silver medal finish at the 2014 World League final, fourth at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and gold at the 2015 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

This year his side secured bronze medals at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Six Nations in Valencia.

Hockey New Zealand will be recruiting for a new head coach shortly with the role hoped to be filled as soon as possible.