New coach unfazed by tough hockey gig
RICHARD Davies is the man to put DiamondBacks men’s hockey program back on track.
The Scotsman, who fell into coaching after tearing his ankle ligaments days before competing for a national Universities team, has landed the most difficult Premier League coaching role.
Arriving from India to take up the position of deputy principal at Hutchins School, Davies, who guided YMCC to three consecutive titles in Perth from 2013-15, was hot property on the local scene.
Davies coached a side featuring Jamie Dwyer and Eddie Ockenden while also serving as assistant coach with the WA Thundersticks in the Australian Hockey League.
“We won silver in 2014, when the Tassie Tigers beat us in the AHL final,” Davies said.
“I was also lucky enough to take a few Kookaburras sessions when players were away at Azlan Shah Cup”
Davies prides himself on an ability to identify players with potential and get a group pulling in the same direction.
The challenge at DiamondBacks — who won just a single point in 2018 and suffered a 7-0 opening round loss to Derwent on Saturday —could hardly be more daunting, but Davies can see the tiny shoots of something special.
“I’ll be working with a young group to get them to understand the demands of playing together at Premier League level and equipping them with the tools to do so, both in terms of skills and mental approach to the game.”
“I have already been really impressed with Ollie Prit- chard, who works very hard, reads the game well and has good core skills.
“Josh Commens also is a hard-working player with lots of potential, and as he works to complement his individual ability with a wider range of passing, he could be an excellent midfield player.”
Davies is steadfast in his coaching philosophy and credits some Tasmanian players for influencing his tactics.
“Eddie Ockenden is a very humble guy. His work rate is absolutely phenomenal and it’s no coincidence that he and Jamie Dwyer are both the hardest working and most successful players I have ever seen.”