Hockey: Towns sticking to the sport he knows

Kevin Towns (right) is coaching both the men's and the women's national hockey teams until a new men's coach can be found. Picture / Duncan Brown

Kevin Towns has doffed one Black Sticks cap but swiftly replaced it with another which fits just as well.

In a much-heralded move, Towns yesterday confirmed he had called time on his second stint as national men's coach to step into the women's role left vacant by Australian Ian Rutledge, who is back in Canberra.

"There are always surprises," said Towns when asked why he had jumped out of one hotseat into another.

The next round of surprises will follow shortly when Towns makes contact with recently retired (women) players and others who fell out of Rutledge's reckonings for whatever reason - to sound out their ideas and ascertain whether retirement plans are firm and final.

"A player like Di Weavers, as an example, has plenty to offer and I need to talk things through with her. It certainly won't be a case of me trying to pull a player out of retirement but I need to get feedback from players like her, Suzie Muirhead and others," said Towns.

His first move will come today when he sees, for the first time, the list of 35 players who will make up the women's national/development squad.

Ironically, that list, due to be released next week, has been drawn up by the incumbent women's selectors headed by Rutledge. Towns headed the selection team for the men.

Towns is keen to ascertain the future of players such as Lizzy Igasan, Jaimee Provan, Niniwa Roberts-Lang and others who did not figure in recent Rutledge selections.

"It is my intention to get an email off to all players who warrant consideration," said Towns, who had been tempted to step down from a fulltime involvement with the national body to return to the IT industry.

His first real contact with the women's squad will be at a training camp. That is planned for January or February but that will depend on whether the replacement men's coach is in place by then. Towns is wearing both hats in the meantime as the men have a scheduled three-test home series against the Netherlands from January 21.

Depending on Sparc funding, Towns has a second women's camp pencilled in for April as preparation for a four-test home series against Australia in May.

After that he will be back on the international merry-go-round with the defence of the Champions Challenge title in Azerbaijan from June 9-17, four or five tests against India here in August and the Oceania Olympic qualifiers in either Fiji or New Zealand in late September.

He had firm ideas on switching from the pace and power of the men's game to the more precise game women attempt to play.

"I believe many parts of the men's game can, and should, be adapted by the women. The best women I have seen have been the Australians and they play with power and pace.

"Also, I don't understand why there has not been more success at penalty corners."

The search for Towns' replacement begins today in the hope of having someone by the end of next month.

He will strongly support his recently appointed assistant, and former international, Shane McLeod.


Kevin Towns

* Born: Masterton, September 6, 1948.
* Represented: Wellington 1968-75; Auckland 1976-79; North Island 1968-75.
* Represented NZ: 1975 (4 tests, 2 v India, 2 v Canada).
* Position: Left back.

* Coaching: Wellington Colts 1974-75, Auckland B 1980-82, Auckland 1984-87, Somerville premier women 1988-91, NZ men 1988-92 and 2000-06, NZ women's academy 1994-96, Midlands Express (NHL), 1999-2000.

* Major tournaments (as coach): Barcelona Olympics 1992, Manchester CG 2002 (silver medal), World Cup 2002, Athens Olympics 2004, Melbourne CG 2006, World Cup qualifier, China 2006 (won), World Cup 2006.