Classic coaches set for bumper draft

Hockey legends, retired stars and former international mentors feature among the 2022 Ric Charlesworth Classic coaching cohort across the four men’s and four women’s Ric Charlesworth Classic sides for 2022 – and they will all take part in a bumper player draft tonight, Wednesday 9 March, at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University.

This year’s Ric Charlesworth Classic draft will follow a different format to previous years, with coaches able to make four pre-selections each from their squads in 2021.

In 2022, the women’s Breakers, Suns, Outbacks and Highlanders will be coached by Lindsey Wright, Tate Napier, Chris O’Reilly and Lee Capes respectively, with their men’s counterparts coached by Paul Gaudoin and Tyler Lovell for the Breakers, Chris Ciriello for the Suns, Brendan Gairns for the Outbacks and David Guest will lead the Highlanders.

Two new exciting coach additions for 2022 in Gaudoin and Lovell will provide years of elite coaching experience for the Breakers through Gaudoin’s efforts as a former coach of the Hockeyroos and Lovell’s years in goal for the Kookaburras will provide elite-level hockey knowledge to the Breakers – both providing an opportunity to strengthen their claims for their first title win in the men’s.

All eight coaches have made their pre selections, choosing four players each to lead their side and provide some continuity for each respective team ahead of the main player draft.

DRAFT PRE-SELECTIONS

WOMEN’S

MEN’S

More than 220 players from across WA nominated for this year’s draft – the largest pool of athletes for coaches to select in the tournament’s three-year tenure thus far.

An exciting mix of players ranging from budding young hockey stars to Premier League hockey heroes will provide talent-laden squads for fans at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University to cheer on.

The Ric Charlesworth Classic returns from Saturday March 26, with spectators in for high-quality action and entertainment on and off the field.