Sport

Hockeyroos coach's contract terminated after alleged 'serious misconduct'

  • 12 reading now

Hockey Australia has terminated its contract with women's national head coach Adam Commens, amid allegations of serious misconduct.

In a statement issued on Friday night, Hockey Australia said the board made the decision after an investigation was conducted into allegations that Commens had engaged in behaviour amounting to serious misconduct after the Hockeyroos had been eliminated at the Rio Olympic Games.

Adam Commens has been let go.
Adam Commens has been let go. Photo: Stefan Gosatti

The contract had been due to expire on September 30.

News Corp reported the investigation was launched after Commens allegedly urinated in view of some of his athletes, after the group watched the gold medal womens' field hockey game in Rio on August 19.

One of the athletes made a formal complaint, News Corp said.

Hockey Australia president David Hatt said the organisation held its people to the highest standards and would not condone or excuse misconduct in any circumstances.

Advertisement

"On behalf of the board of directors of Hockey Australia, I want to make clear that as an organisation, we take the on-field and off-field behaviour of our players, coaching staff and employees very seriously."

Commens advised Hockey Australia in February that he would not seek to renew his contract as he was moving to Belgium to be with his family.

He had worked as head coach for the Hockeyroos since 2011.

Before the Rio Olympics, Hockey Australia arranged for senior assistant coach Jason Duff to be interim head coach following the team's return to training after the Olympics.

The recruitment process for women's head coach began on July 29.

Hockey Australia said it would make no further comment on the matter.

AAP