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 The New Zealand men’s Black Sticks remain winless in the FHI Pro League following a 6-2 loss to Great Britain yesterday.
The Black Sticks were outplayed and out-hustled by an energetic Great Britain.
The match was the first time international hockey had been contested in Christchurch since Porritt Park was destroyed in the
2011 earthquakes.
The humbling loss was an unfortunate way for Black Sticks midfielder Nic Woods to bring up his
100th test match in the black shirt, but he did manage a goal in his milestone match.
A three-goal second-quarter blitz – all from penalty corners – put Great Britain in a commanding position up
3-0 at halftime.
Great Britain were clinical on attack and defence and limited opportunities for the Black Sticks side in a high-scoring match.
Great Britain forward Sam Ward scored his second goal early in the third quarter that came from an unlucky rebound from Black Sticks goalkeeper Richard Joyce.
Joyce, who was constantly under pressure but pulled off several remarkable saves, saved an attempt
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 via a Freedom of Information request, says: ‘‘Is GB Hockey confident to on goal only for the ball to bounce straight back to Ward who knocked it in goal to make it 4-0.
Soon after, Phil Roper tapped in his second following some sharp work from Ward in the circle to put Great Britain up 5-0.
The Black Sticks finally won their first penalty corner late in the third quarter but were unable to convert.
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 But they did a couple of minutes later when Great Britain were a man short when Liam Sanford was handed a yellow card. Woods converted from the Black Sticks’ second penalty corner.
Black Sticks striker Hugo Inglis quickly doubled his team’s score when he skilfully tapped in a lengthy overhead pass from Kane Russell to
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. further capitalise on Great Britain being a man short and close the gap to 5-2 at the end of the third quarter.
But the Black Sticks’ revival took a hit early in the final quarter when Ward got his hat-trick with a soft goal despite his team still being a man down.
In the first quarter, Ward grabbed the first goal of the match before Roper scored the second – after the ball struck Black Sticks defender Shea McAleese’s foot.
The Black Sticks problems were compounded soon after when striker Hayden Phillips was shown a yellow card for a foul, forcing his team to play with just 10 men for five minutes.
And Great Britain capitalised less than a minute later with a third goal to captain Adam Dixon.
With a loss to the Netherlands (3-4) and a penalty shootout loss to Belgium (after being locked up at 4-4) the Black Sticks are yet to taste victory in the FHI Pro League. Great Britain 6 (Sam Ward 3, Phil Roper 2, Adam Dixon) Black Sticks 2 (Nic Woods, Hugo Inglis).
UK Sport, which is providing funding of £17.1 million (NZ$32.83 million) for hockey in the four years up to Tokyo 2020, said it was confident GB Hockey had carried out ‘‘due diligence’’ and that ‘‘the right candidate has been appointed’’.
For coverage of the women’s international last night go to stuff.co.nz