Irish mentor named to succeed Hager
8 tests, 33 wickets at 31.09, 1x5 wickets Graham Shaw, the coach who guided Ireland to the country’s first World Cup final appearance, has been named as the replacement for Black Sticks women’s coach Mark Hager.
A former 151-cap international, Shaw took the Irish women from 16th in the world to their current position of eighth including the remarkable achievement at last year’s World Cup.
Shaw replaces Hager, who resigned as Black Sticks coach in January to take up a role with Great Britain.
‘‘It is an absolute honour to be named as head coach of the New Zealand women, a team I have admired and respected for many years,’’ Shaw said.
Hockey New Zealand board member Shane Collins said the organisation was delighted to secure Shaw’s services.
‘‘The past few months have been a challenging period for the Black Sticks women. We wanted to find the best coach to build on the success of the programme towards our ultimate goal of medalling at the Tokyo Olympic Games,’’ Collins said.
Hager departed before an independent review into the environment inside the Black Sticks was released.
That review, conducted by lawyer Maria Dew, found 24 of the 33 players she interviewed had serious concerns about what she called a ‘‘negative environment’’.
Shaw’s first match in charge will be away to the United States on June 1.
The Black Sticks resume their Pro League campaign with matches against the US and Argentina at North Harbour tomorrow and Sunday. With Shaw set to begin his new role in May, assistant coach Sean Dancer will take the team in the interim.