MEN'S HOCKEY:The Irish Hockey Association has spiced up its annual hockey conference "Hooked" by signing up legendary Australian hockey and cricket player Ric Charlesworth. The conference, where large segments will be devoted to coaching, takes place on January 5th and 6th in UCD, Dublin.
While a first-class cricketer, who played 47 times for Western Australia, Charlesworth is better known as one of the most astute hockey coaches of modern times and found particular success as coach with the Australian women's team. He was also a hugely successful athlete and was widely regarded as the world's best hockey player for a decade (1978-1988).
He played with and captained Australia in five Olympic Games, amassing 227 caps during his career. Following his playing days he went on to become head coach of the national women's hockey team and won the hockey world cup with them in 1994. They were also gold medallists in the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games as well as winners of the Commonwealth games. Charlesworth and his team were also Champions Trophy winners four times in a row.
He was elected as the federal member for Perth in 1983 and was a member of parliament for 10 years until 1993, representing the Australian Labour Party. He has also worked as a consultant for numerous sports, including as the director of high performance for New Zealand's cricket team, but most recently has been appointed as the expert coach and technical adviser for Indian Hockey.
Over the two-day conference a number of topics will be covered, on and off the pitch, ranging from key skills coaching seminars, club development and a presentation from Ireland national men's coach Dave Passmore.
FIXTURES: Leinster Senior League: Division one- Three Rock Rovers v Pembroke Wanderers, Grange Road, 3pm; UCD v Monkstown, postponed; Glenanne v Fingal, Glenanne Park, 2pm; Bray v YMCA, Loreto Bray, 1.30pm; Corinthians v Kilkenny, Whitechurch Park, 1pm. Division two - Naas v Dublin University postponed; Weston v Navan, Griffeen Valley Park, 2pm; Skerries v Avoca, Skerries, 2pm; Suttonians v Clontarf, Sutton Park, 2.30pm
