THE strong showing of Ballarat's hockey programs which sees WestVic's women's team marching towards promotion has seen the club embark on a new direction, appointing experienced administrator and former Victorian country men's state team coach Michael Poulton as the new coach.
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Poulton, best known in Ballarat for his role as chief executive officer of the Committee For Ballarat has taken on the job of women's coach from Zac Smith who has stepped aside.
Smith had led the team to an unbeaten start to the season, but with his commitment to playing for the men's team as well as his ongoing work with junior development, the women's role was seen as a bridge too far for the young coach who was only appointed a couple of weeks before the start of the season.
WestVic president Grahame Williams said having an experienced coaching program would be in the best interests of the club as it aims for promotion.
"Zac has coached the team since the start of 2021, rebuilding a squad of players following the impacts of COVID-19 in 2020," he said.
"WestVic Hockey recognises the contribution Zac has made to the program in 2021.
"Both parties agree however, that for the team to continue to strive for promotion to Vic League 1 in 2022, a change of coach was in the best interests of the full playing squad at this time."
Poulton will be joined by Tammy Hansford as assistant coach.
Hansford is the current Victoria Country Women's state team coach and Poulton himself has coached both Victoria Country Men's State teams and has worked with Hockey Australia, the AFL and several other Olympic sport programs in the field of elite coach development.
Poulton said it had been a mutual decision for him to take on the senior coaching role, with Hansford set to take over the running of the team during the week, while Poulton will be in charge on match day.
"The club has made a decision to make the change at this point of time to continue to find the success we are looking for to seek promotion to Vic League 1," Poulton said.
Smith had taken the team to a 6-0 start, but Poulton's first game in charge at the weekend saw the understrength side go down 1-0 to Frankston, the other undefeated side in the competition.
"It was our first game in five weeks, because we were scheduled for a bye the week lockdown hit, then we had the long weekend as well, then when we were able to come back, it was our bye round again," Poulton said.
"We also had some players unavailable so we brought some of our younger players in and they stood up, we had a sustained attack on the ball and control, but didn't put the score on the board.
"But we're pretty confident with a fully fit team, we're as good as anyone in the competition."
Meanwhile, the men's team took to the pitch against Greater Dandenong Warriors, going down 3-1 in a hard fought contest.
The two teams were locked at 0-0 at half time, with the homes side gradually getting on top, hitting the last two goals of the match in the final quarter.
Men's coach Tim O'Sullivan said his side was a little off on the day, but up against the second-ranked team, it was far from a poor performances.
"They were second on the ladder and I know they still have to play the top team in the next match," he said.
"It was even at half time, both teams had no more than a handful of chances, it's what I'd call tennis-hockey, it was going back and forward a lot, good defence both ways.
"They got their first score for a slightly messy corner and credit to out boys we pressed with three or four good chances and we got given a penalty.
"But they got a score near the start of the last, we had our chances but just couldn't get into the circle, then they scored another right at the end."