Hyderabad: Former Australia coach Graham Reid has been appointed as the new head coach of India Men's Hockey team on Monday. Reid will join Team India for the ongoing national camp at the Sports Authority of India in Bengaluru shortly.
Reid played for Australia as a defender as well as a midfielder. He was also part of Australia's silver medal winning team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The 54-year-old was also a crucial part of Australia Hockey team that won four Champions Trophy titles in 1984, 1985 and 1989, 1990. He had made 130 appearances for the Australia national team.
Reid was appointed Australia's assistant coach in 2009. Later he was promoted as head coach of Australia and guided them to Champions Trophy title in 2012.
The 54-year-old was also part of Netherlands' coaching staff in 2018 that won the silver medal at the 2018 men's World Cup.
"Graham Reid is backed by a successful career as a player and also comes with strong coaching experience, having worked with the Australian and the Netherlands national teams. We are hopeful his experience and expertise will help the Indian men's hockey team achieve desirable results leading up to and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics," Hockey India President Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad said.
Speaking about joining Hockey India, a delighted Reid said: "It's an honour and a privilege to be appointed as chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team. No other country has a history in this sport that can compare to India. As an opposition coach, I have enjoyed watching first hand, the steady rise of the Indian team to one of the most exciting and threatening teams in world hockey."
"I have a passion for the fast and attacking brand of hockey that India plays which marries closely with the Australian style. I am looking forward to working with Hockey India, SAI, MYAS, team support staff and players with the continuation of the positive development of the team in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics," he added.
