Black Sticks fiasco
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I have knowledge reasonably close to the situation and the general gist is NZ hockey have shot themselves in the foot
It all got triggered by the misdirected email Hagar sent about player fitness levels
That issue was resolved in-house amongst the top team who were generally on board with coach's hard but fair approach
The majority of the complaints about the coach came from fringe players or those who couldn't make the squad. A bit of motive there
England had made at least a couple of approaches in an attempt to poach Hagar from NZ. Despite everything the coach was happy to stay in NZ where he and his family were very settled
The independent inquiry, conducted by a QC with no sporting background placed so many constraints on his ability to be a high performance coach that Hagar ultimately decided to bounce for the UK
Very messy indeed and probably far from over
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@canefan said in Black Sticks fiasco:
I have knowledge reasonably close to the situation and the general gist is NZ hockey have shot themselves in the foot
It all got triggered by the misdirected email Hagar sent about player fitness levels
That issue was resolved in-house amongst the top team who were generally on board with coach's hard but fair approach
The majority of the complaints about the coach came from fringe players or those who couldn't make the squad. A bit of motive there
England had made at least a couple of approaches in an attempt to poach Hagar from NZ. Despite everything the coach was happy to stay in NZ where he and his family were very settled
The independent inquiry, conducted by a QC with no sporting background placed so many constraints on his ability to be a high performance coach that Hagar ultimately decided to bounce for the UK
Very messy indeed and probably far from over
the lesson here which we've all probably been guilty of in the past is be really fucken careful when hitting the 'reply all' button.
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I play and coach hockey, so have been following this closely. I know most people here won't care too much, but the think I found most interesting from the very little in the report is that 70% of the players found the environment negative, while the rest and ALL the coaching staff saw it the opposite way. It was a very clear difference.
I'm of the opinion, that Hager and his staff set standards, and when some girls and I'll put some of this blame on the generation they come from, couldn't handle the heat, they sooked it to the player association. Also "reply all" isn't a smart move.
Hager will be the fall guy, but the whole staff were happy with things, so he can't be the only person to blame.
Radio Sport this morning, also pointed out that the associations having issues (and reviews) - cycling, womens soccer, womens cricket, hockey, have all more recently become professional than rugby, mens cricket, league - so are working through those changes in standards too.
I would also say, I mc'd the Oceania Cup held in Stratford twice (2013 & 2015, I think) during Hagers reign, and observed a group who seemed like a really happy, friendly team compared to say the Australian men, who absolutely meant business over the duration of those events.
Hockey really needs to look at its governance - there are other issues around high performance centres making a lot of regional hockey upset.
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@westcoastie said in Black Sticks fiasco:
I play and coach hockey, so have been following this closely. I know most people here won't care too much, but the think I found most interesting from the very little in the report is that 70% of the players found the environment negative, while the rest and ALL the coaching staff saw it the opposite way. It was a very clear difference.
I'm of the opinion, that Hager and his staff set standards, and when some girls and I'll put some of this blame on the generation they come from, couldn't handle the heat, they sooked it to the player association. Also "reply all" isn't a smart move.
Hager will be the fall guy, but the whole staff were happy with things, so he can't be the only person to blame.
Radio Sport this morning, also pointed out that the associations having issues (and reviews) - cycling, womens soccer, womens cricket, hockey, have all more recently become professional than rugby, mens cricket, league - so are working through those changes in standards too.
I would also say, I mc'd the Oceania Cup held in Stratford twice (2013 & 2015, I think) during Hagers reign, and observed a group who seemed like a really happy, friendly team compared to say the Australian men, who absolutely meant business over the duration of those events.
Hockey really needs to look at its governance - there are other issues around high performance centres making a lot of regional hockey upset.
You've got it mate. I've heard most of the 70% weren't getting picked. Clearly you can see why
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@westcoastie said in Black Sticks fiasco:
Hockey really needs to look at its governance - there are other issues around high performance centres making a lot of regional hockey upset.
Heard a clip from a guy from High Performance Sport NZ on the radio this morning. Mealy mouthed fluffybunny. No farking detail, just didn't want to lose $ from Owen Glenn.
Reviews that skim over the issues aren't the end, and they don't provide a turning point for organisations to change. I don't think we've heard the end of the issues at HNZ, but I wouldn't be surprised if this puts the organisation into a downturn on the field as well.
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@canefan I don't know what Generation we're up to any more, X-Y-Z, Millennials - I think the "overly entitled generation" is an appropriate title. Also the "molly-coddled generation".
I think Radio Sport NZ, Darce & Goran - what do they (NZ Hockey) want - an unhappy, winning team, or a happy bunch of losers? Fucking Newsflash, winning shit is mentally challenging, can't handle it, then you'll be the kid that shits the bed in the important game, and thats happened too often along the way.
I've noticed Richie McCaw getting a lot of "mentally tough" plaudits lately. Its not a coincidence that the greatest era of AB rugby, nay any team, in any sport, ever, had a man of his ilk at the helm.
