Leslie to build on Sproule’s legacy

OHA Hockey Club’s search to replace Olympian and fivetime Men’s Premier League title winning coach Daniel Sproule has landed a German.

However, Nick Leslie is a known quantity to Tasmanian hockey having been a player with OHA for the past nine years since relocating to Hobart as a schoolboy.

The five-time Premier League premiership player and 2014 Australian Hockey League gold medallist has elected to step up into the role, after a comprehensive external advertisement of the role.

It is understood that former Kookaburra and current director of sport at Guildford Young College was initially canvassed for the role, along with University of Durham and ex-Derwent Coach Alistair Addison.

After claiming back-to-back Premier League titles in 2017, Leslie is focused on continuing Sproule’s winning legacy and the club’s terrific off-field work in support mental health initiatives.

“I am looking forward to the challenge and determined to continue the success of the OHA men’s team,” Leslie said.

“Success is not just about premierships, I have a strong pool of junior players to consider coming up through the club and where they might fit into our senior side and our off-field physical and mental health is also top of the agenda.”

OHA is yet to announce a new women’s coach after Susan Brooks stepped down.

Canterbury Hockey Club has put David Budgeon’s on a three-year deal. He replaces outgoing playing-coach Will Lawler.