1 Oct 2008

Coach says leaving's in the game's best interest

7:10 am on 1 October 2008

The outgoing coach of the New Zealand women's hockey team says his decision not to re-apply for his job is in the sport's best interest.

Kevin Towns took over from Ian Rutledge 18 months after coaching the men's side and brought back players such as Lizzy Igasan who'd fallen out with Rutledge.

Towns says until the Black Sticks lost every game at the Olympic Games in Beijing he thought he'd made some progress, but he's not blaming the players.

Towns hopes to continue some involvement in hockey.