Hockey: 'Lack of aggro' hitting fan base

Ric Charlesworth. Photo / Getty Images

While not exactly advocating more "biff" in hockey, Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth feels if there was more aggro and confrontation, his sport might be more attractive to the public and, in turn, television bosses.

The legendary coach points to Australians' obsession with Australian Rules and league to explain why sponsors and television channels have largely ignored hockey.

"They seem happy to keep throwing money at sports other than hockey. Our sport is all about speed and skill not beating people up," said Charlesworth who played a major role in the resurgence of the sport in which he played 227 times for Australia.

"A lot of people have asked me why we don't see much hockey on television; maybe it's because we don't have the contact other sports do."

In Auckland as coach of the world's top-ranked team, Charlesworth, who was in the Australian team beaten by New Zealand in that epic 1976 Montreal Olympic final, said the international body needed to look at ways of further promoting the sport.

"Hockey needs to make a niche for themselves and grow from there.

"Hockey is still a second-level sport in Australia but it is a good sport which both men and women play yet other sports attract far more interest," said Charlesworth.

"And, unlike many of these sports, hockey is not professional. Why it isn't, you will have to ask the media - it's an historical thing.

"Apart from those players who have contracts with clubs in Europe, no Australian players make money playing hockey."

Charlesworth said the organisation of the Owen G Glenn Champions Trophy tournament and the North Harbour Hockey Stadium venue were first class.

"It has been like being at home in Australia but as far as adjusting to the time difference [five hours between Perth and Auckland] we still haven't done that," he said.

While winning the tournament is at the top of Charlesworth's agenda, the players have other reasons to bring their A game.

"We will announce our Olympic squad after this tournament. We have 18 players here and will name 27 to prepare for the Olympics," the coach said.

Charlesworth had a long and successful career with the Australian women's team steering them to four Champions Trophies, two World Cups, Commonwealth gold and two Olympic golds between 1993-2000.

After a stint as high performance manager for New Zealand Cricket, he returned home to take the reins with the Kookaburras. While it always appeared a certainty he would one day coach the men's team, he admitted it was not all beer and skittles.

"It is a job that at times is very stressful. Having players based all around the world adds to that. Since the Commonwealth Games this is the first time we have been together."

Charlesworth was happy to take the points from his team's opening 3-2 win over Spain but not with his team's overall performance.

"We didn't play very well," he said.

And, in an ironic end to their opening match, the Kookaburras and the Spanish players engaged in a bit of a "handbag dust-up". Maybe that's what Charlesworth had in mind.