WA hockey legend Brian Glencross has died at the age of 81 after a long battle with a neurological disease.
The 1968 Australian Olympic team captain from Narrogin was a star who revolutionized the country’s women’s sport.
As Australia’s women’s coach from 1980 to 1992, he introduced a fierce new competitiveness and discipline that led to the 1988 Olympic gold medal.
Friends of 60 years, WA hockey greats Richard Agis and Glencross launched a hockey program for the Australian Sports Association in 1983.
Agis said Glencross will be widely remembered as the absolute greatness of international competition.
“He’s an Australian hockey icon,” Agis said. “He was totally dedicated, hardworking and a fierce competitor. Given how his life ended, this guy just can’t put the two together.
“He loved the game and lived for it. He was very disciplined and had a game plan that everyone had to adhere to.
“It was a bit like Mick Malthouse’s coaching school. He really changed the way women’s hockey was coached and played.”
Glencross suffered from dementia and Parkinson’s disease later in life and recently contracted COVID.
His extensive hockey recognition includes the Sports Australia Hall of Fame, WA Champions Hall of Fame, Hockey Australia Hall of Fame, Australian Medal, Australian Sports Medal and Centenary Medal.
Glencross was named WA Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year in 1968.
