The Black Sticks women's hockey team are on the look-out for a new coach.
Graham Shaw has ended his three-year tenure with the team to return home to Ireland.
Shaw says it was difficult decision to make with the Commonwealth Games and World Cup coming up this year.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Black Sticks are on the hunt for a new coach after the departure of Graham Shaw.
"We've loved living in New Zealand, but no-one could have predicted a pandemic back then, let alone how tough it would be to maintain a programme and prepare for events like the Olympics with lockdowns and huge restrictions," he said.
"It was hard to see myself in the role beyond 2022 especially with the pull of family back in Ireland... I thought that it's important to step away now and let the group set itself for the long term."
Hockey NZ general manager Darren Smith said they understood Shaw's decision.
"Graham is an excellent coach...(and) he leaves New Zealand with our immense gratitude for the work he has done."
Smith said with a new enlarged group of assistant coaches now in place decisions about a new head coach would be made shortly.
-RNZ