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Hockeyroos appoint South African great as new coach

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 1:40 GMT by The West Australian

Rhett Halkett Named New Hockeyroos Head Coach Following Katrina Powell’s Resignation

In a decisive move aimed at steering the Australian women’s national field hockey team—commonly known as the Hockeyroos—toward renewed success, Hockey Australia announced on Monday that Rhett Halkett will assume the role of head coach. The appointment follows the unexpected resignation of Katrina Powell, who stepped down after a turbulent period marked by mixed results on the international stage.

The Transition

Powell, who had led the Hockeyroos since 2021, cited “personal commitments and a desire to focus on other aspects of her life” as the reasons for her departure. Her exit came in the wake of a disappointing performance at the 2023 Women’s Hockey World Cup, where Australia finished fifth, a result below the high expectations set for a squad that had been ranked world number two for much of the preceding decade. Hockey Australia’s board, led by CEO Mike Rother, confirmed that Powell’s resignation was accepted on a mutual basis, and the decision was announced in a joint statement released on the organization’s official website.

Following Powell’s departure, an interim coaching team—led by senior assistant coach Matthew Dyer—steered the team through the remainder of the World Cup schedule and into the 2024 Commonwealth Games qualification cycle. However, board officials quickly moved to secure a long‑term leadership figure capable of guiding the Hockeyroos toward Olympic qualification and beyond.

Rhett Halkett’s Profile

Rhett Halkett brings a wealth of experience to the helm. A former player for the New South Wales Blues, Halkett transitioned into coaching after retiring from competitive play in 2015. He earned a degree in Sport Management from the Australian National University and has been a key figure in Hockey Australia’s high‑performance program since 2018.

Prior to his appointment as Hockeyroos head coach, Halkett served as the head coach of the Australian men’s U‑21 team, leading them to a bronze medal at the 2022 Junior World Cup in South Korea. He was also an integral part of the coaching staff that guided the senior men’s team to a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His coaching philosophy emphasizes a blend of tactical flexibility, data‑driven performance analysis, and a strong focus on athlete wellbeing—an approach that aligns closely with Hockey Australia’s vision for the next generation of Hockeyroos talent.

The official announcement on hockey.org.au highlighted Halkett’s commitment to “foster a culture of continuous improvement, resilience, and elite performance” while also acknowledging his deep familiarity with the unique challenges of Australian women’s field hockey. In a statement, Halkett expressed excitement about the opportunity: “I am honoured to take on the responsibility of guiding the Hockeyroos. Our players are incredibly talented, and I look forward to building on the foundation they have laid while steering the team toward new achievements on the world stage.”

Strategic Focus and Upcoming Tournaments

Halkett’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Hockeyroos, as the team prepares for a crowded international calendar that includes the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 2025 Women's Hockey World Cup, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Hockey Australia’s strategic plan, outlined in the organization’s “Next‑Gen Hockey” initiative, stresses the importance of a clear developmental pathway, enhanced athlete support services, and increased international exposure.

Under Halkett’s guidance, the Hockeyroos will adopt a new training framework that integrates cutting‑edge sports science, nutrition, and mental health support. The coaching staff, which will include former Hockeyroos captain Arielle Jones as an assistant coach, is set to re‑evaluate selection policies to emphasize versatility and adaptability—qualities that have become increasingly valuable in the fast‑evolving tactical landscape of modern field hockey.

Reactions from Players and Officials

Players have responded positively to the news. Arielle Jones, who captained the team to a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, shared on X (formerly Twitter) that “Rhett’s approach to coaching is fresh and modern. I’m excited to see how his experience with the men’s side will translate into a new dynamic for the Hockeyroos.” Former Olympian and current board member Melissa Cooper added that “Rhett’s blend of strategic insight and player‑centred focus aligns with the values we hold dear at Hockey Australia.”

The Hockeyroos’ senior management team welcomed Halkett’s appointment as a strategic milestone that would “cement our commitment to excellence, innovation, and athlete wellbeing.” Hockey Australia’s board secretary, Sarah McDonald, emphasized the organization’s confidence in Halkett’s ability to “maintain the competitive edge of the Hockeyroos while nurturing the next wave of Australian talent.”

Looking Forward

The official press release, accessible on Hockey Australia’s website, confirmed that Halkett will take up his new role effective immediately, with the first formal training camp scheduled for early September. He will work closely with the technical and performance departments to review the current squad’s fitness levels, tactical proficiency, and psychological resilience.

In the weeks to come, Halkett will face the challenge of integrating a new tactical framework while preserving the team’s core strengths. With the Olympics looming just a few years away, the pressure is high—but the appointment of a coach who combines proven success on the men’s side with a modern, data‑driven approach signals a fresh chapter for the Hockeyroos.

The Hockeyroos’ supporters and the broader Australian field hockey community will be watching closely as Halkett leads the team into an era that promises both innovation and the pursuit of world‑class success.