SYDNEY, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Dual Olympic gold medallist Katrina Powell will be the new head coach for Australia's women's hockey team at the Tokyo Olympic Games, said Hockey Australia on Tuesday.
Powell, who is currently the head coach of the New South Wales Institute of Sport's (NSWIS) Women's Hockey Program, was a member of the Australian Women's hockey team, best known as the Hockeyroos, that won the gold medals at the 1996 and the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.
She will become the first female Hockeyroos head coach since Colleen Quinn in 1978.
Powell's appointment came after Hockeyroos' former coach Paul Gaudoin resigned earlier this month in the wake of a review that found "dysfunctional culture and leadership" in the sport "not conducive to athlete wellbeing or sustained on-field success," as reported by local media.
Powell said she would not overhaul the works that have been done but bring some fresh ideas and approaches.
"I am keen to bring in a fresh set of eyes, ideas and approach that will help this team be successful," she said.
"My coaching style is one of athlete wellbeing but high expectation and discipline. We are going to work really hard with the athletes about building a purpose and having a strong way of play."
Following a decorated playing career that included 252 games and 141 goals for the Hockeyroos, Powell has been in various coaching roles since 2005, including assistant coach for the National Women's team from 2005-2012, a member of the Hockeyroos' coaching staff at the 2010 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, and one of the coaching support staff during the Hockeyroos' 2008 and 2012 Olympic campaigns.
Hockey Australia President Mel Woosnam spoke highly of the appointment and thought Powell's strengths, experience and knowledge will help the team to achieve a better level.
"We are confident of the positive impact she will have on the development and improvement of the squad in this short time ahead of and during the Games," Woosnam said. Enditem