The Canberra Chill have begun preparations for the 2021 Hockey One season, after the head coaches of the men's and women's teams were officially confirmed recently.
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The 2020 Hockey One season was postponed earlier in the year due to COVID-19, but planning is already underway for next year's campaign.
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In the inaugural 2019 season, several current and former Goulburn District Hockey Association players were named in the Chill sides, and the same is expected in 2021.
Next year, the men will be coached by Seyi Onitiri and the women by Ian Rutledge.
Onitiri steps into the position after working with the team in 2019 as an assistant coach, while Rutledge has retained the role after a successful 2019 campaign.
Last year, the men's team finished in fifth position on the ladder, while the women lost a tight semi-final to HC Melbourne.
Chill High Performance Director, Ben Bishop, spoke glowingly of both coaches.
"'It is wonderful to be able to kick-start our Canberra Chill program with the announcement of our two head coaches," Bishop said.
"Our program is very fortunate to have an Olympic-level coach in Ian leading our women's group.
"It is also great to have another high-quality coach in Seyi who has come right through the ACT junior pathway on onto representing ACT, ACTAS and Australia now giving back as a coach leading our men's program.
"We look forward to building further momentum and excitement in the Chill program with the naming of our initial training squads at the completion of the season with a view to improving on our standings from the inaugural Hockey One season."
As Bishop noted, Rutledge has built a decorated coaching career which has seen him take charge of the New Zealand and Canadian women's teams, while he has also held roles within Hockey Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, and the AIS.
Onitiri, meanwhile, built a strong career which began with a call-up to the Australian squad for the 2003 Junior World Cup. He also represented the country in indoor hockey, and captained the Canberra Lakers, finishing his career as the team's third-most capped player.
The Chill squads will be named following the conclusion of the ACT Hockey winter season, which currently has two regular rounds remaining.
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