Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Colin Batch named as new Black Sticks men's coach

Updated at 10:10 am on 26 September 2012

The former Australian international Colin Batch has been named as the new New Zealand men's hockey coach.

Batch replaces Shane McLeod who stepped down following the London Olympics.

Batch has been the head coach of the Belgium men's team for the last two years and assistant coach of the Australian men's team for eight years which included two successful Olympic campaigns.

Hockey New Zealand's chief executive Hilary Poole says recruiting a coach of high calibre was identified as a key priority in having a successful men's high performance programme moving forward.

Named the 2011 FIH All Star's Men's coach, Batch is excited about the opportunity and is looking forward to leading the men's programme through to the 2016 Olympic Games.

Batch begins his role as head coach in early November and will select players and lead the team at the Champions Trophy in Melbourne in december.

Former national head coach Shane McLeod will assist with this transition, before he relocates to Belgium to join his partner.

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