Hockey: NZ men's coach quits

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Robin Wilson insists the money had nothing to do with his decision to quit as coach of the New Zealand men's hockey team, but he said the compensation for the time the job demands was inadequate.

After talking with New Zealand Hockey Federation chief executive Ramesh Patel on Sunday night, Wilson announced yesterday morning that he had decided to stand down after a little over a year in the job.

"There are a number of reasons, including the demands of the role, family and my farming business," said Wilson, a former Canterbury and New Zealand representative and former Canterbury coach. "I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge but it was never a bed of roses.

"I worked out I had been away for 12 of the past 53 weeks. The grant of $5000 is not adequate for such a commitment. I think national coaches in many sports are asked to make a huge commitment and are not always compensated for the demands of the job.

"Of all the teams I have coached, this is the only one which has not won but I still believe the team was playing better in Osaka than when I took over. We played seven teams ranked above us and beat two of them."

Wilson's discussions with Patel centred on the likely involvement over the next two years.

"It was apparent I did not have the time to commit to the demands for that period and reluctantly decided to stand down."

Wilson said he has encouraged his deputy, Allan Hill, to apply for the top job.

Of suggestions that there might be a need for a change at the top and in particular Patel's role, Wilson said: "I have heard some of that, but it is not for me to comment. "But it would be too harsh to say that Ramesh Patel is responsible for the team not qualifying for the Olympics."

Patel said nominations would be called for by the end of this week with a view to making the appointment by mid-May.

"In the meantime, Robin Wilson and the current selectors will continue to monitor the Lion Foundation National League and make recommendations for the new squad which is to be named by the end of next month," he said.

"The new coach will again become a selector. Up to 18 players will be named in the new squad who will play a three-test home series against Pakistan in August."