Hager signing by Brits ‘a significant risk’

Great Britain Hockey’s signing of former Black Sticks women’s coach Mark Hager was labelled a ‘‘significant risk’’ by a senior sporting figure as a review continues into allegations of a toxic culture under his leadership.

reports Chelsea Warr, UK Sport’s director of performance, had urged GB Hockey executives to postpone the appointment until the findings of the review, still being carried out in New Zealand, were made known.

Hager, 54, was appointed coach of the Britain and England women’s teams last month after nearly 10 years coaching the Black Sticks, a tenure highlighted by a gold medal at last April’s Commonwealth Games.

It ended in controversy after some past and present players alleged a bullying and toxic team culture under Hager, while seven former players went public in their support of the coach. It saw a review launched in September, the findings of which are yet to be released.

Four weeks before Hager was announced as coach on January 12, Warr sent an email to Sally Munday, England Hockey’s chief executive, and Ed Barney, the GB Hockey performance director, warning that any problems with Hager’s behaviour may be intensified due to the pressure of taking charge of the women’s Olympic champions, who won gold at the Rio Games in 2016.

Munday told The Times on Thursday they had done ‘‘due diligence’’ in the recruitment process. She described Hager as a ‘‘good man, a family man of strong values and morals’’ and they had no concerns about his coaching style.

The email also reveals that GB

Hockey had been made aware of concerns about Hager, including temper outbursts, using ‘‘inappropriate language’’ and not being transparent with his selection procedures.

Warr’s email, dated December 16 and obtained by The Times via a Freedom of Information request, says: ‘‘Is GB Hockey confident to

appoint a coach who is the subject of an independent review without seeing the findings and recommendations? This is a significant risk and I wonder whether it would be prudent to pause the process until the review is finalised.’’

The email reveals GB Hockey officials spoke to Hager’s lawyer ‘‘to get a feel for some of the contents’’ of

the review. Warr goes on to suggest that Hager could find it difficult to address any inappropriate behaviour which the review may flag up. ‘‘If GB Hockey decided to pursue Mark ahead of the review outcomes, will you be considering a final appointment subject to considering the outcomes of the review?,’’ she asks.