Hockey: Silver medal likely Athens passport for coach Towns

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The silver medal the New Zealand men's team won at the Manchester Commonwealth Games has almost certainly ensured another two years in charge for coach Kevin Towns.

Although Towns is due to meet New Zealand Hockey Federation chief executive Ramesh Patel today to discuss his future, it will be little more than an informal chat before Friday's board meeting at which Towns will surely be retained.

And it seems the players he had with him in Manchester will be along for the ride to Athens in 2006.

"The entire management team we had at the Commonwealth Games are keen to go through to the Olympics," said Towns, who had Charlie Oscroft as his assistant, Arvind Jasmat as manager and Wayne Hing as team physiotherapist.

Although the New Zealanders were no match for Australia in the final, the coach still speaks enthusiastically of the 7-1 semifinal win over Pakistan.

"That game was the highlight of the time I have had with this team," said Towns, who is enjoying his second stint with the national side.

"It was a surreal feeling in the dugout. It was unbelievable. The players achieved things which were hard to comprehend."

Despite the bold showing, Towns is adamant the team need to play more games against European opposition.

"Our pre-Games matches in Europe exposed that lack of experience."

But he is determined that will be rectified in the Olympic build-up.

Towns, with Patel's support, is looking for around 26 matches between now and the Olympics.

"First off, we need to play one or more test series here. That would be good not only for the game but the New Zealand public," Towns said.

"We are already guaranteed six or seven tests at the Champions Challenge, which was originally scheduled for Zimbabwe [in June next year] but is now likely to be played in South Africa.

"We will also be looking for tests in Europe, with the possibility of three each in Holland and Germany."

Patel said there remained the likelihood of home tests against Belgium and other countries including Holland, Germany and South Korea.

There is also the chance of New Zealand's being invited to the annual Aslan Shah tournament in Malaysia because they are the first reserve should any country opt out.

The international body is due to meet next month to draw up its schedule, which will include the crucial Olympic qualifying tournament, possibly in Madrid, early in 2004 at which 12 teams will chase five places.

The hectic schedule since last year's World Cup qualifying tournament in Edinburgh has already had some effect, with Ryan Archibald opting to bypass the Lion Foundation National League, which hits off next month.

As the first step on the road to Athens, Towns will name a high-performance group of carded players.

He is keen to back that with a group of younger players whom he sees as likely to step in after Athens, provided New Zealand win through.

Towns expects at least five or six of the present squad to retire.

"We must have players ready to go on the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006," Towns said.

With New Zealand's top-10 world ranking and the encouragement of the victory over Pakistan, Towns is determined to maintain that momentum.