‘Don’t expect instant results’

The appointment of Ric Charlesworth as technical advisor of the Indian hockey set-up could perhaps be the surest step that the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) has taken in recent years in search for a medal at the Beijing Olympics. He spoke to Joe Williams about what hockey followers in India could look forward to in the coming days

India hockey is in the doldrums. With so many laurels behind you, much is expected from you to give a boost to the game in the country. We are sure you will give it your best shot, but still, what if it fails?
Ric Charlesworth: Yes, I will do my best but my job is not just to ‘boost hockey in the country’. My job, initially, is to thoroughly assess and analyse what is happening in Indian hockey, and to recommend and try to put in place long-term plans that aim to build a sustainable culture of habit and behaviour that will be the basis of India’s future preparations.

One of the big problems is that India wants instant results without doing the work or preparing properly to compete at the highest level. Whatever happens, if my tenure is short-term, and time is limited, or there is no support, then it will be very difficult. But I am willing to give it a go. Is India willing to go for a change, for what they are presently doing is clearly inadequate? That is the most important question.

You have played first-class cricket, you have also represented Australia in five Olympics. Which has been your first love — hockey or cricket?
RC: It has always been hockey.

You never played for the Australian cricket team. Any regrets?
RC: No, I never played well enough to warrant a selection.

You comments on being inducted into the Australian Hockey Hall of Fame?
RC: It’s a great honour.

Your period with the Australian women’s team has been immense. In a span of seven years, they won nine international medals including two Olympics golds...
RC: I was fortunate to have a gifted and hard-working team.

You have been a mentor coach to several national team coaches in Australia. What is the theory behind this assignment?
RC: Most of the issues in coaching are generic. Whatever the sport, the same things have an impact on performance.

You have an instinct for politics, as a Federal Member for Perth in 1993 and a Member of Parliament for 10 years.  Has this helped you in sports as well?
RC: Not really... It didn’t allow me the time to train as much as I would have liked. It was a fascinating job but also very demanding.

What does Indian hockey needs to do right now?
RC: It would be very presumptuous for me to answer that question now. Let me first have a good look at India from the ‘inside’. What I can say with some certainty is that it is not one thing. It will be multi-factorial.

It has been said that your presence has been responsible for Indian hockey beginning to emerge from its recent slump. Is this true?
RC: Well, I don’t know whether they were in a slump and whether they were already on their way back — those things have to be determined over a longer period of time. But we suspect that there is much more that can be done for India to perform at the best level, and that’s the big task. The aim is to have them performing well by 2010, not next year, not immediately.

Does that mean India should not expect success in the near future?
RC: Well, right now we have the Olympic qualifiers. But that’s only short-term (aim). My task is about looking further than that. And hopefully putting in place something that will give sustainable quality.

Will you play any role in the team’s selection?
RC: I hope to be able to see the selection process up close but I will not be selecting the teams... I do not at this stage know the players well enough.

You have also written two books. How do you manage to find time for writing?
RC: I wrote them after I finished work as coach of the hockey team, and while working as a consultant with an Australian football team and the AIS. I was not actively in charge of the national team when I did so. I have actually written four books. The first was ‘The Young Hockey Player’, written in 1980, and the last was ‘Shakespeare, the Coach’ written in 2004. The others were in 2001 and 2002.