Kookaburras' Coach, Colin Batch signs off after stellar eight years at the helm

Kookaburras’ Head Coach, Colin Batch, has announced he is stepping down following eight years at the helm of the men’s national hockey team.

Colin is considered one of the Kookaburras’ most successful Head Coaches. His tenure in the lead role since 2016 saw the team win two Commonwealth Games Gold Medals, the Olympics Silver Medal in Tokyo, six FIH international tournament Championship titles and the last three Oceania Cups, the most recent of which qualified the men’s Australian team for the Paris Olympic Games.

Despite not making the podium at this year’s Games, Colin guided the Kookaburras to seal the 2023/2024 FIH Pro League Champions crown in June earlier this year, a feat he also helped attain back in 2019. It was a truly significant achievement with Australia securing 10 impressive victories over some of the world’s best hockey outfits, including Germany, India and the Netherlands.

It’s a testament to the legacy that Colin will leave, with the win securing Australia’s automatic qualification in the next Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2026 – the only nation to do so other than Belgium and Holland as hosts.

“The Kookaburras have been a major part of my life, as a player, Assistant and Head Coach for almost 30 years. I am extremely proud to have been part of this program, which has seen much success,” Batch said.

“I have been privileged to lead the Kookaburras for the last eight years and appreciate the support of Hockey Australia, all staff and players that have been involved in the program. I also want to thank and acknowledge the support of my wife, my children and all my family who have ridden the highs and lows of competition. I wish the Kookaburras the very best success in the future.”

Hockey Australia’s High-Performance Director, Bernard Savage said the legacy that Colin leaves with the Kookaburras cannot be overstated.

“He has overseen a period of consistently high-level performance, making the Kookaburras one of the most successful Australian Teams,” Savage said.

“Not only has Colin developed great players, his focus and attention on developing people has supported success on and off pitch for the Kookaburras.

“In his time as Head Coach, Colin played, and continues to play, and integral role in the development of many players, including legendary Kookaburras, Eddie Ockenden and Mark Knowles. Mark was named as flag bearer for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, while Eddie was named as flag bearer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and, most recently in Paris, became only the second hockey player to be named as the flag bearer for the Australian Olympic Team. These are tremendous honours for the individuals, bestowed only to those of the finest character that Colin has no doubt had a hand in shaping.

“On a personal level, I have really enjoyed working closely with Colin across the Paris cycle. I have learnt a great deal from Colin. I have the utmost respect for him, his coaching, his continuous quest to learn and grow and his commitment to and care for the players, coaches and staff. The values and behaviours Colin demonstrates embodies all it means to be a proud Kookaburra.

“Colin leaves the program in a great position and Kookaburra success well into the LA cycle will have his mark on it. I cannot thank Colin enough and wish him all the best and every success in the next stage.”