Melbourne, Sep 30 (IANS): Hockey Australia (HA) Tuesday announced that Paul Gaudoin will step up as the senior assistant coach of the 'Kookaburras' following Graham Reid’s appointment as national coach earlier this month.

Gaudoin, who has been an assistant coach to the team since 2010, will become Reid’s right hand man as the Kookaburras prepare for the 2016 Olympics. However, the move will see him relinquish his role as national junior coach with HA looking to fill the spot early next year.

“It’s quite difficult in the end when you go for a role as head coach and it doesn’t quite work out. It makes you think about what you want and where you want to be and this is a good place to be," Gaudoin said.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the work I’ve been heavily involved with over the last few years and I’m keen to take the opportunity to further develop myself in what is the best programme in the world which will ultimately prepare me for a role as a head coach."

A former captain of the Australian hockey team, Gaudoin made 234 appearances in an 11-year international career spanning 1994-2004. He won bronze medals at two Olympics and was selected for a third -- 2004 Athens -- but withdrew because of injury. A midfielder, he played in three World Cups, winning silver in 2002 and bronze in 1994.