Michael Nobbs. (Photo credit: X/@HockeyAustralia) MELBOURNE: Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men’s team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a long illness. He was 72 and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women’s international, and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star. “Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional and servant of the sport,” Hockey Australia said in a statement. Nobbs represented Australia as a full-back, playing across the halfway line and at full-back, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He played 76 international games for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, Hockey Australia said on its website. Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 World Cup in Mumbai and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s best, he consistently maintained his place through hard work, discipline and the trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.Nobbs took over coaching the Indian men’s team in 2011 after it failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India had excelled in qualifying, the team finished last in the London extravaganza, which also precipitated the sacking of the Australian coach. Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
