Australian hockey legend Ric Charlesworth will form part of a new-look selection panel that will decide the Olympic fate of Hockeyroos stars Rachael Lynch and Georgina Morgan.
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Hockeyroos players threatened to strike after Lynch, the 2019 FIH goalkeeper of the year, and former captain Morgan were controversially left off the 2021 contract list.
The pair appealed the decision and last week an independent appeals tribunal found due reason to oppose their non-selection.
Despite winning their appeal Lynch and Morgan weren't immediately reinstated and will instead have to win back their spots through the new four-person selection panel.
Charlesworth, who guided the Hockeyroos to Olympic gold in 1996 and 2000, will sit alongside new head coach Katrina Powell and her assistants Katie Allen and Jeremy Davy on that panel.
The veteran mentor will be involved until August 17 - post Tokyo - and will contribute to Hockeyroos squad and Olympic team selection.
He will also work with the coaching staff as a mentor, offer support and advice while also assisting with scouting and preparation for the Olympic Games.
"The Hockeyroos have always been close to my heart and I believe we owe the athletes their best chance in Tokyo," Charlesworth said.
"After some turbulent months it will be a challenge to quickly understand the group. This will necessarily entail closely observing their games, training and interactions.
"I believe I can do this while also being available as a sounding board for the coaches. My position should allow me to also play a mentoring role.
"Of course my primary focus will be on ensuring we have the best team working together to achieve in Tokyo."
The elite women's hockey set-up has been in turmoil for months now, with an independent review finding a dysfunctional culture existed.
Hockey Australia high performance manager Toni Cumpston quit in January after she lost support of the bulk of the player group and also the HA board, and coach Paul Gaudoin fell on his sword in March immediately after the release of the independent report.
Powell, who played under Charlesworth in the successful 1996 and 2000 Olympic campaigns, is only contracted until the end of the Olympics, and the pressure is on her to produce results.
She said she was excited about having Charlesworth involved.
"Being in just my third week in charge of the Hockeyroos and with the Olympics so close, having Ric come in as a selector and a support for us as a coaching group is going to be hugely beneficial," said Powell.
"As a collective I am confident we will select and work with the team that has the best chance of being successful in Tokyo."
Charlesworth replaces Sharon Buchanan OAM, who intended to finish as the Board Appointed Selector last year after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics before they were postponed.
Australian Associated Press
