Craig Hilliard was Monday appointed Australia’s new athletics coach, replacing Eric Hollingsworth who was sacked last year after clashing with star hurdler Sally Pearson.
Hilliard, a coach for more than 30 years, has previously worked with successful athletes including race walker Nathan Deakes, world champion hurdler Jana Pittman and Olympic silver medallist long jumper Jai Taurima.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting started, it’s a great opportunity,” Hilliard said.
“I am excited about the future of our sport. The emerging talent that was showcased at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships last month and the recent Australian Athletics Championships in Brisbane augurs well for the next Olympic cycle.”
Athletics Australia high performance director Simon Nathan said he was pleased to be able to appoint such an experienced and respected coach.
“It was great for us to have had so many quality applicants , both domestically and from overseas and is even better that we have been able to appoint an Australian as the successful candidate,” Nathan said.
Hollingsworth was let go last year for disparaging comments he made about Pearson on the eve of her 100m hurdles Commonwealth title defence in July.
