Hager axed as coach – report

Mark Hager is reportedly set to be sacked as the coach of the women’s Black Sticks team.

A review into the environment inside the team was launched in September after it emerged that in August Hager mistakenly sent an email bagging players to the entire team.

The email was sent during the team’s Hockey World Cup campaign and was meant for team management only.

The findings from the review were expected to be released last month, but now won’t be announced until next year.

But Radio NZ has reported that the Hockey NZ board and its Mark Hager CEO Ian Francis have seen the initial report and the players and Hager have been informed that his position is untenable.

The 54-year-old Australian – who has been the Black Sticks’ coach for eight years and is contracted through to 2020 – may not go quietly, with Radio NZ suggesting he could take legal action against Hockey New Zealand.

Hockey New Zealand put out a press release yesterday saying it was still conducting an independent review into the Black Sticks women’s team environment.

‘‘To maintain the integrity of the review, and out of respect for people’s privacy and confidentiality, neither Hockey NZ nor the reviewer lawyer Maria Dew, will make any public comment until the review findings are completed.’’

Hockey New Zealand board acting chair Shane Collins said ‘‘we want to ensure the review is as comprehensive and robust as possible to help the sport as it continues on its journey of continuous improvement’’.

Dew expects to release her final report to Hockey New Zealand in early January.

‘‘No decisions will be made until the final review has been completed,’’ Collins said.

The timing of this fallout isn’t good for the Black Sticks because the team plays its first two Pro League games in Auckland on January 27 and February 1.