The Black Sticks men's hockey team's assistant coach, Darren Smith, has accepted a role as head coach for the Ireland women's team.
Smith will start in his new role in January next year.
Smith has been assistant coach with the Black Sticks Men for six years and a player for the previous 11 years.
Smith says although it will be hard to move away from a setup he's been involved in for so long, he's honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Irish team, who he says have great potential.
Hockey New Zealand will begin recruiting a new assistant coach for the Black Sticks after the Champions Trophy which is being held in Melbourne in early December.
