'Missed a trick?': Legend spills on Hockeyroos staff
08/08/2024 07:28 PM
Gold medallist Nova Peris believes the Hockeyroos' coaching line up is at a crossroads following the side's shock quarter-finals exit at Paris 2024.
A former teammate of Peris', Katrina Powell, has led the Hockeyroos since March 2021.
When she was appointed, Powell became the first female to serve as the Hockeyroos' head coach in 43 years.
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Powell's tenure has been spotlighted because of the success of ex-Hockeyroo and fellow international coach Alyson Annan, who is currently in charge of China's national team.
Annan helped China to progress to the gold-medal match following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Belgium on Thursday (AEST).
China finished fourth in Pool A with only two wins. However, the side went on to dismantle Australia in their quarter-final meeting.
Annan previously coached the Netherlands but split from the team early in 2022.
Under her guidance, the Oranje Women were crowned Olympic Champions, two-time World Champions and three-time European Championships.
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Speaking on Stan Sport's Olympics Daily, Peris reflected on China's breakthrough Olympic campaign with Annan at the helm.
"Alyson Annan came into the Olympics and said China could win a medal," Peris said.
"So, if Alyson Annan says it, [it must be true].
"She's a four-time Olympian, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, she took the Netherlands to a golden era, and now she has taken on the China team.
"She is my countrywoman, a fellow Hockeyroo, but do you know what? In life, you should be pleased for people who can achieve great things, and look what she has done.
"They finished fourth in their pool and now they're going for gold — and they have the inside knowledge on the Dutch with Alyson knowing how the team works."
Asked if the Aussies had "missed a trick" and should pursue Annan for the top job, Peris said the situation was something to keep an eye on.
"I feel for Australia in many ways and Trinny (Katrina Powell) has been formidable since she took the reins a couple of months out from the Tokyo Olympics," she said.
"They were coachless for a while and then Trinny took them on. She did well, they won a World Cup bronze medal under her.
"But I have heard that Alyson has yearned to come back to Australia over the years but now she's coaching China now, so we'll have to wait and see what happens."
China will take on the Netherlands in the Olympic final on Saturday morning.
Nova Peris will appear as a hockey expert on Stan Sport's Olympics Daily and Paris Preview shows throughout theParis 2024 Olympic Games.
