Mark Hager: Getting to Know Players as People Is Crucial

About this episode

Mark Hager discusses his coaching career and the importance of understanding players as individuals.

Mark Hager was the guest of our podcast today. Mark is the current head coach of the Australian men’s team, affectionately known as the Kookaburras, and a legendary former striker and captain for Australia, who led his team to a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Over the course of a decades-spanning career, Mark has not only competed at the sport’s highest levels but has also shaped teams worldwide with his coaching prowess. Prior to his current role, Mark steered the New Zealand and Great Britain women’s teams to remarkable heights—including an Olympic bronze with GB at Tokyo 2020. Studio.Hockey is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Ernst opens the conversation by asking Mark where he is as the interview takes place. Mark offers a personal glimpse into his life away from the pitch, explaining that he’s joining from Dunsborough, a peaceful beach town a couple of hours outside Perth. As he puts it, Dunsborough is his “home away from home,” a place to both reflect and disconnect from the relentless world of high-performance hockey. This setting sets a tone for the episode, highlighting the humanity and…

People in this episode

Host: Ernst

Guest: Mark Hager

Topics covered

• hockey coaching
• player development
• men's hockey
• women's hockey
• personal life of athletes
• Olympic experience

Keywords

• Mark Hager
• Kookaburras
• hockey coaching
• Olympics
• Dunsborough
• player development
• women's hockey
• men's hockey

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Australian men’s team, Kookaburras, New Zealand women’s team, Great Britain women’s team

Places: Dunsborough, Perth

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