HOCKEY: Former Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth has been named hockey’s International Men’s Coach of the Year 2014 by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
It is the second accolade to be bestowed on Australian hockey in 24 hours following the announcement of Kookaburras captain Mark Knowles as International Player of the Year.
Charlesworth, who masterminded the Australian men’s team’s 2014 World Cup victory, left his position in June following the tournament.
Commenting on the award, Hockey Australia Chief Executive Cam Vale said, “What Ric achieved last year in leading the Kookaburras to the World Cup title and the manner in which it was done was a real highlight in an outstanding year. For me he is one of the greatest coaches in Australian sporting history and it’s pleasing to see his achievements with the team last year have been recognised at the highest level of our sport.”
It is the latest acknowledgement of an unparalleled career at the top of Australian and world sport and follows the FIH decision in November to present him with its Order of Merit for his unique personal achievements and contribution to international hockey.
In 2014, he led the Kookaburras to victory in 19 of the team’s 23 matches under his charge, losing in three and drawing just one.
Australia’s emphatic 6-1 victory over the hosts, the Netherlands, in the World Cup final in The Hague was Charlesworth’s final flourish. It was his fourth World Cup success having guided the Kookaburras to the 2010 title in India and the women’s team, the Hockeyroos, to success in 1994 and 1998.
In doing so the Kookaburras became only the third team to ever successfully defend a men’s World Cup title as they roared back from a goal behind to leave the Dutch shell-shocked with Chris Ciriello netting a hat-trick, supplemented by strikes from Kieran Govers, Glenn Turner and Jamie Dwyer.
After initially announcing in March 2014 his intention to leave the post of Kookaburras coach following the Commonwealth Games he brought forward his departure in the wake of the World Cup triumph, citing that it would be “an indulgence” to stay on. His long term assistants Graham Reid and Paul Gaudoin took charge in Glasgow with Reid ultimately appointed as his successor in September.
Dutch coach Max Caldas scooped the award for women's Coach of the Year after leading the Netherlands to the women's World Cup title.
