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Hockeyroos coach Gaudoin steps down

Justin ChadwickAAP
Paul Gaudoin has quit as Hockeyroos coach just months out from the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Camera IconPaul Gaudoin has quit as Hockeyroos coach just months out from the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The Hockeyroos are on the lookout for a new coach just four months out from the Tokyo Olympics after Paul Gaudoin became the latest key figure to fall on his sword.

Hockey Australia made the bombshell announcement on Wednesday night, saying Gaudoin had tendered his resignation following the internal release of findings and recommendations of an independent review.

The review was launched after explosive allegations of bullying, body shaming and homophobic behaviour within the Hockeyroos' set-up emerged late last year, throwing the elite women's hockey program into chaos.

A summary of the investigation's findings is set to be released publicly on Thursday morning.

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Assistant coach Katie Allen will assume the interim head coach role, with HA intending to announce a replacement shortly.

Gaudoin's exit follows that of high performance manager Toni Cumpston, who quit in January after stating she had lost the support of the HA board.

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Current and former players didn't like Cumpston's abrasive approach and her exit immediately saw the blowtorch shift to Gaudoin.

Gaudoin took over as coach at the end of 2016, but he was criticised last year for missing a series of meetings with players.

His decision to axe stars Rachael Lynch and Georgia Morgan from the 2021 contract list caused a huge storm, with a chunk of the player group even threatening to strike over the shock omissions.

Fractures within the player group also emerged in the fallout, with the Hockeyroos now left with little time to mend relationships ahead of the Tokyo Games.

"Whilst I am disappointed to not see out the Olympic program to Tokyo, I am proud to have helped get the Hockeyroos to be ranked second in the world," Gaudoin said in a statement.

"I wish both teams every success in Tokyo. It is time to focus on my family and begin a new chapter of my life. I love our game and hope it stays relevant in a competitive sporting environment."

Players within the Hockeyroos set-up had been fearful of speaking up publicly in recent years in the fear they will be cut from the side.

In response to this, HA set up a system where disgruntled players could vent their grievances to Sports Integrity Australia.

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