Charlesworth to quit as Australia coach in August

“The Kookaburras are in good shape and can be further refreshed by a new head coach as they head toward the Rio Olympics,” he said

Ric Charlesworth will step down from his coaching position at the end of the Commonwealth games. File Photo: R V Moorthy

Ric Charlesworth plans to quit as coach of the Australian men’s field hockey team after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

A four-time Olympian and winner of the 1986 World Cup as a player, Charlesworth has had a successful coaching career first with Australia’s women’s team leading the Hockeyroos to two Olympic and two World Cup titles between 1993-2000 and then with the Kookaburras since 2008.

Charlesworth announced his decision on Wednesday, saying “The Kookaburras are in good shape and can be further refreshed by a new head coach as they head toward the Rio Olympics.”

Under Charlesworth, the Kookaburras won the World Cup, Champions Trophy, Commonwealth Games and earned Olympic bronze. The Commonwealth Games finish Aug. 3.