Hockey icon takes on the top job with NZ women
Former long-serving player Phil Burrows has been appointed coach of the Black Sticks women’s team. Burrows was a well-known figure within New Zealand’s hockey landscape after an international playing career that spanned 16 years and included 343 international caps and 151 goals scored (both records).
For the past six years, he had been involved with Hockey Victoria as its high performance athlete and coach manager.
He also coached Melbourne in the women’s Hockey One league, leading the team to a minor premiership this year, and had experience coaching in Europe and New Zealand.
Burrows was excited about the opportunity to return home.
“Being able to come back to New Zealand and lead the national programme is an incredible privilege and I’m looking forward to getting started,” he said.
“The team has shown massive potential this year and I’m looking forward to working alongside some great people to continue developing this young squad as we play over 20 international tests in the first half of 2023, culminating in an opportunity to qualify for Paris 2024.”
For Burrows’ first test series at the helm, Hockey New Zealand confirmed two games for the Black Sticks against Spain in Tauranga at the end of January, ahead of their return to the International Hockey Federation Pro-League in Wellington from February 18-26.
High performance director Darren Smith said it was ideal to provide Burrows with an early opportunity to take the helm.
“Spain are one of the top sides in the world and will provide a good challenge for Phil and our women ahead of a busy, competitive international season,” Smith said.
“We know that he will hit the ground running and brings in a wealth of experience and knowledge from his time in Australia. Our entire national programme and pathway will be better off with him in this role.”