"I'm really keen to be on that journey. My time here has been beyond any expectations. The people, from inside the group to hockey people in general, have been so friendly.
"I still feel privileged to have been given the chance and feel lucky that Hockey New Zealand had confidence in me. We have had some success. Probably I came in at the right time and was lucky enough to work with some very talented hockey players.
"We have become more of an all-round team. When I started out, there was a concentration on the attacking side of the game and the need to score goals. Now we are definitely a better defensive team as well."
Of the group he has worked with since his arrival three years ago, only nine players have fallen by the wayside. He is working with a squad of 25 and admits the hardest call will be reducing that to 18 or, in the case of Olympic or Commonwealth Games, 16.
"That definitely is the worst aspect of the job," said Hager.
Senior players such as Kayla Sharland, Emily Naylor, Krystal Forgesson and, before she retired, Beth Jurgeleit have played a key role and, no doubt, a part in Hager's decision to stay.
The 25 players are back in Auckland for another training camp and making the most of working out on the "blue" turf at Westlake GHS - the same surface to be used in London.
They will break for a few days from the middle of next week before returning on January 4 to prepare for next month's Champions Trophy in Argentina where they will try to bring home bronze again.
IN ACTION
- January 25-February 5: Champions Trophy, Rosario, Argentina.
- March (dates to be confirmed): NZ v Argentina, four tests, likely WGHS.
- April 12-22: Four-nation series involving Australia, New Zealand, United States, India, likely WGHS.
- Late May-early June: International series in NZ, opposition to be confirmed, likely Korea.
- July 9: Head to Europe, four-nation series (involving NZ, Germany, South Africa and another) in Germany.
- July: v France, in France (one-off friendly).
- July 27-August 12: Olympic Games, London.
