Olympic gold medallist to lead the next generation

In partnership with Hockey Australia, the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brent Livermore OAM to Head Coach of the NSWIS Men’s Hockey Program.

A former NSWIS scholarship holder, Livermore was chosen to lead the next generation of men’s hockey talent in NSW following a lengthy recruitment process, and he is now looking forward to the challenge that awaits him.

“I have long held aspirations to coach hockey at the high performance level. To be involved in the NSW Institute of Sport, one of Australia’s most elite high performance programs, and to support Hockey NSW and Hockey Australia in the development of athletes is something that I am very keen to be part of,” Livermore said.

Livermore is one of Australia’s most acclaimed men’s hockey players, having captained the victorious Kookaburras team at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games as well as playing in three Commonwealth Games and three Champions Trophy winning sides.

He achieved 318 caps for the senior national side during his time as a player, including 67 as captain, and since retiring has taken on a variety of coaching roles including Head Coach at the Pacific Hockey Institute and High Performance Coach Director at the Gold Coast Hockey Academy, as well as leading various under-age Queensland state teams.

Livermore is confident his experience at the top level will be a key ingredient to the ongoing success of the NSWIS program.

“As an athlete I was someone who would always look for that competitive edge with different types of training, so that will be valuable in coaching, and I’m also looking forward to driving the culture and values within the group,” Livermore explained.

“I’d also like to think the drive, precision and leadership I had as a player has transferred across into my coaching as well, as there is an art in coaching that needs to be balanced in individual specific development and technique, combined with team strategies and structures. This will be something I pride myself on.”

The appointment of Livermore now sees both the men’s and women’s components of the NSWIS Hockey Program led by Olympic gold medallists, with two-time Olympic champion Katrina Powell in charge of the next generation of female talent.

Kim Crane, NSWIS Manager High Performance Sport & Excellence said that following Livermore’s appointment the program will continue to expand on the success already achieved since the Institute’s inception in 1996.

“Brent was a natural fit for the role given his rich history of coaching experience and sporting success, and we are confident he has the right knowledge, experience, competencies and personal style to lead the program to further success.”

“Having appointed two Olympic gold medallists to lead our hockey program, it is fantastic not only for the athletes but also the coaches themselves, as they have opportunity to forge a career path in the sport they love and to impact the sustainable success of Australian hockey on the world stage.”