Hockey: Borren quits as national coach

New Zealand women's hockey coach Jan Borren has quit.

Two days after his team finished a disappointed 11th at the World Cup in Perth, Borren has decided not to seek an extension to his four years at the helm.

The New Zealand Hockey Federation had earlier announced it was seeking applicants for the job.

Borren said he decided against putting his hand up for two reasons.

"The No 1 reason is that coaching the Black Sticks in the last four years has been a huge commitment and has certainly affected the balance in my life.

"The second is that I think it will be healthy for the national team to have a new coach with some new ideas and different ways of expressing them.

"Players get used to a certain style of coaching and four years is perhaps an optimum time for a coach to lead a national team."

Borren believed his reign, which saw his side attain a top-six world ranking, could be divided into two parts.

"The 1999-2000 team performed well at the Sydney Olympics and were a little unlucky not to make the top four.

"Then in 2000 and last year we began a rebuilding phase following key retirements."

He was disappointed with the team's placing in Perth.

NZHF chief executive Ramesh Patel said Borren's reign should not be judged by the side's performances at the World Cup.

He said six inquiries had been received from within New Zealand and three more from overseas coaches.

A shortlist will be announced by the middle of next month and an appointment made by February 10.

- NZPA