Hockeyroos coach sacked for allegedly exposing himself

Australia hockey coach Adam Commens. Photo / Duncan Brown.

Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens has been sacked for alleged serious misconduct.

Commens is understood to have exposed himself and made lewd remarks to several Hockeyroos players, reported the ABC. The incident supposedly occurred during celebrations after the hockey finals in Rio during the Olympic Games last month.

Commens, whose contract was due to expire in a week, was fired by the Hockey Australia board after it conducted an investigation into the allegations.

The board's president, David Hatt, said in a statement: "On behalf of the board of directors of Hockey Australia, I want to make clear that as an organisation, we take the on-field and off-field behaviour of our players, coaching staff and employees very seriously.

"Hockey Australia holds its people to the highest standards and will not condone or excuse misconduct in any circumstances."

Commens earned a total number of 143 caps and won bronze for Australia at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

He became coach of the women's hockey team in 2011 and immediately stirred controversy by dropping five experienced players from the squad.

Hockey Australia said it had started the recruitment process for Commens' replacement in July after he had advised them he wouldn't be looking to renew his contract beyond its original expiration date on September 30.

Senior assistant coach Jason Duff had already been tapped to act as the interim coach for the Hockeyroos once the team returned to training post-Olympics.

Hockey Australia said it would make no further comment at this time.