Hockey: Australians to take key England posts

The long awaited news from the English Hockey Association on the appointment of a performance director and the new England men's coach is yet to break. Yesterday it was still "no comment", although it is common knowledge in Australia that two of their leading coaches are moving to England.

Chris Spice, formerly assistant coach to Ric Charlesworth and the Australian Women's Olympic gold medal winning squad, has been selected for the performance director post, which will cover both men and women, and Barry Dancer for the men's job.

Dancer, a former Australian international left-half, was coach to the Australian Under-21 side which took gold 10 days ago in the World Junior Cup at Milton Keynes.

David Whittle, the England manager, said yesterday that he was unable to confirm the appointments, but if they were correct he welcomed the news.

"With the World Cup just six months away, it is vital to get the coach in post. We have already lost too much time. I hope he will be able to come with us to Cairo at the end of the month for the Six Nations Tournament and be able to make his own assessment of our players," Whittle said.

"We have some good English coaches, but Spice and Dancer are professionals and if their appointments go ahead it will be wonderful news for English hockey."

Tammy Miller, the Clifton captain, has been recalled to the England women's squad for two training matches against Germany in Cologne on 18 to 19 October. Miller retired after the Atlanta Olympics, but has decided to return. Maggie Souyave, the England coach, has named seven Olympians including Karen Brown, the world's most-capped player.

ENGLAND SQUAD: M Clewlow, J Empson (both Canterbury), L Culliford, T Miller (Clifton), T Cullen, C Reid (Hightown), L King, L Youngs (Ipswich), S Blanks, K Bowden, C Voss (Leicester), J Bimson (Loughborough Students), K Brown, L Copeland, M Nicholls, J Smith (Slough), M Davies, J Sixsmith (Sutton Coldfield), H Rose (Univ of Massachusetts).