Sutherland Hockey Club have appointed Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist Kieran Govers as its first grade coach.
Govers played his first game for Sutherland in 2005 before he launched his successful international career with Australia.
The former Kookaburras star has been with the club for the last three seasons and plans to play on for at least one more.
The coaching job will be Govers' first but the club will assist him with a highly experienced support team which includes outgoing first grade coach and dual Sydney championship-winner Peter Tait and his long-term assistant Jay Holley.
"Firstly I'd like to thank the club for showing faith in myself to take on this role," Govers said.
"There have been a number of very successful coaches in the past and I'm honoured to take over in 2020. Peter Tait and Jay Holley have been great mentors over the last few years and I'm looking forward to working with them both moving forward.
"The club is in a real positive position. I can't wait to get started."
Sutherland president John Mulcair said the club was delighted with the appointment.
"Kieran will carry on Sutho's tradition of delivering high skill, high enjoyment and successful hockey," Mulcair said.
"His experience, with the support he will be given, is to be the foundation as the club moves to the future. Importantly, we are particularly pleased to be able to help a high-performance athlete begin his transition from his playing to his after-playing life.
"That opportunity is not always available and can be difficult."