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Katrina Powell at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.Credit:Getty Images

The 48-year-old was most recently head coach of the NSW Institute of Sport women’s hockey program. She has also previously been a Hockeyroos assistant coach at various stages from 2005 up until 2019.

“It is a really quick turnaround to the Olympics and I am well aware of that but I am so excited by the opportunity that is in front of me,” said Powell.

“My objective is not to overhaul the hard work that has already been done. I am keen to bring in a fresh set of eyes,ideas and approach that will help this team be successful.

“My coaching style is one of athlete wellbeing but high expectation and discipline. We are going to work really hard with the athletes about building a purpose and having a strong way of play.

Powell of Australia in action against China in 2000.Credit:Getty Images

“There is still a lot of work to do between now and the Olympics and I am eager to get straight into it and help these girls reach their potential because it is a highly talented squad that can finish on the dais in Tokyo.”

She is the first female Hockeyroos coach since Colleen Quinn in 1978.

“The past months have been a challenging period for everyone associated with the Hockeyroos but we feel Katrina is the right person to get the best out of this group and continue in its Olympic preparations,” HA president Melanie Woosnam said.

Powell takes the role as Hockeyroos coach afterPaul Gaudoin stepped down earlier in March,just before a review into the team’s environment and Hockey Australia found a “dysfunctional” culture.

Gaudoin’s resignation followed that ofHA high performance director Toni Cumpston,Hockeyroos assistant coach Steph Andrews and selector Sharon Buchanan. All quit this year.

Sources close to the playing group indicated there was optimism within the squad at news of Powell’s hiring.

This was in contrast to the anger within the group when HA chief executive Matt Faviersaid legendary former Hockeyroos coach Ric Charlesworth was in the running to return to the role.

One problem remains:the ongoing appeal by Rachael Lynch and former captain Georgie Morgan against their exclusion from the 2021 squad.

That appeal has now dragged on for more than 100 days but sources with knowledge of the matter said it should be settled within the next two weeks.

Morgan and Lynchremain unable to train with the squad in the meantime,even though the people who dropped them have all resigned from their roles.

The dropping of those two players followed co-captains Morgan,Jodie Kenny and Emily Chalker resigning their roles in mid-2020.

This led torevelations that the HA board knew of concerns about the culture within the squad and problems with non-playing leadership as early as 2017.

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