New Delhi: The wait for a foreign coach is over as the Australian Olympian Neil Hawgood has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team.
Hagwood who played as a winger was the member of 1986 World Cup winning team and teammate of Michael Nobbs is a first foreign coach of the women’s team and would join the team in Bhopal from today.
Hockey India (HI) Secretary-General Narinder Batra, even though Hawgood has been appointed for the senior team, he would also oversee the progress of the junior players.
The Australian would be in charge till the next Olympics and his first goal is to help the team qualify for 2014 World Cup.
Talking to reporters here on Monday, Hawgood, said he has to find out “where the players are physically and mentally.”
He also said that the goal does not only remain to qualify but then also to win and be successful.
The immediate goal for the Aussie would be prepare the team for the Champions Challenge I in Dublin from September 29.
Hawgood, who earlier had coaching assignments in Australia and the United Kingdom said it would be a big challenge to improve from the 13th slot to be within the top six in the World.
Hawgood, who had seen the Indians playing against Australia, liked their attacking approach, but wanted them to improve their defensive skills.
“When you attack, you should also get ready to defend. That means to improve your defence than being reactive.”
By Indian Sports News Network
