Perth, Sep 4 (IANS): Graham Reid Thursday was appointed as the new national coach of the Australian men’s hockey team.

The Brisbane-born Reid has been the senior assistant coach with the Kookaburras since January 2009 and most recently took joint-charge of the team at the Commonwealth Games alongside Paul Gaudoin, following Ric Charlesworth’s decision to step-down early as national coach.

“Graham Reid was the unanimous choice of the coaching panel in what was a very difficult decision. His ability to lead the programme now through to Rio as evidenced by his past experience in leading the national team at the 2012 Champions Trophy, 2013 Oceania Cup and with Paul Gaudoin to 2014 Commonwealth Games success were key factors," Hockey Australia (HA) chief executive Cam Vale said.

"Overall, we believe that Graham has the experience, maturity and leadership to continue to build on the success he has been part of with the Kookaburras since 2009.”

On his appointment, Reid said: “I’m very excited and honoured to be appointed as the coach of the Kookaburras. It will be a great challenge to be the custodian of one of Australia’s most successful sports teams and a challenge to follow in the footsteps of Ric Charlesworth, who has transcended our sport and built up a huge list of accomplishments. I am relishing it."

A former Kookaburra, two-time Olympian made 130 appearances for Australia between 1984 and 1992 concluding his international career with a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. With 30 international goals to his name, he also won a World Cup bronze and four Champions Trophy golds in his playing career.

As a coach with the Kookaburras, Reid has helped steer Australia to an Olympic bronze, two consecutive World Cup titles, two Commonwealth Games golds and four Champions Trophy crowns.

December’s Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar will provide Reid his first major international competition as the new national coach.