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Hockey Australia to announce dual Olympic gold medallist Katrina Powell as Hockeyroos coach until 2024 Games

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
Dual Olympic gold medallist Katrina Powell has had her term as Hockeyroos coach extended.
Camera IconDual Olympic gold medallist Katrina Powell has had her term as Hockeyroos coach extended. Credit: Hockey Australia/Hockey Australia

Katrina Powell has been rewarded for her incredible efforts in coaching the Hockeyroos at this year’s Olympics in Tokyo by being awarded the job until at least the Paris 2024 Games.

Powell was called on at the 11th hour to take the Australian team to the event in Japan after former coach Paul Gaudoin stood down in March on the eve of a review in the program’s “toxic culture”.

Under Powell’s guidance, the Hockeyroos won all five of their group stage matches before losing their quarter-final match-up against India 1-0.

A former Hockeyroos captain and dual Olympic gold medallist (1996 and 2000), Powell was awarded the job after a rigorous five-week process.

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“I’m really excited. Normally the Olympics is the end of a cycle but Tokyo felt like the start of something,” Powell said.

“With the time leading up to Paris being a shortened period, it feels like we have already started the work that needs to be done to be successful.

The Game AFL 2024

“The project of preparing for and competing in Tokyo was a huge challenge. Being a former elite hockey player, I know that is what high-performance athletes are looking for, that next challenge.

Katrina Powell won two gold medals for Australia and is also a former captain.
Camera IconKatrina Powell won two gold medals for Australia and is also a former captain. Credit: Ron D'Raine/WA News

“The Tokyo Olympics proved to myself what I can get done in a short space of time, but it was made easier by the commitment and enthusiasm of the athletes.

“It is about providing players with opportunities through a structured framework of how we want to play but also a licence to take the game on.

“That’s the traditional Australian way of playing – one that is attacking, wanting to take it to the opposition and defend stoutly. Now we need to maximise the opportunities we have created for ourselves.”

Powell will relocate to Perth as soon as possible as she looks to prepare the Hockeyroos for next year’s world cup as well as the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Oceania Cup, which doubles as an Olympic qualifier.

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