By Emily Goddard

Hockey Australia LogoApril 23 - Hockey Australia has launched a search for its new chief executive to replace the outgoing Mark Anderson, who was recently appointed to the same position at Swimming Australia.

Anderson made the move to swimming after chief executive Kevin Neil quit last November following the nation's poor performance in the sport at London 2012, where they won just one Olympic gold medal, six silver and three bronze - their lowest tally in the pool since Barcelona 1992 - and were without an individual gold medallist for the first time since Montreal 1976.

Quite the opposite was the case for hockey at last summer's Games, where the nation ranked joint fourth overall with Britain after the men's team secured a bronze medal.

The new Hockey Australia chief will have a big job filling their predecessor's shoes, as under Anderson, who took up the role in November 2008, the organisation strengthened relationships with key Government and state/territory hockey partner organisations and enjoyed an unprecedented period of financial stability.

Mark Anderson 2304713Mark Anderson left Hockey Australia to lead Swimming Australia

It also implemented a new constitution and corporate strategic plan, and introduced gold-level partnerships with Fortescue, Ausdrill and ANPHA, as well as staging three successful Champions Trophy competitions and creating the innovative Hockey 9's tournament in Perth.

Above all, the new chief will be responsible for ensuring the future success of two of Australia's most successful national teams - the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos - and the development and growth of the sport at all levels.

The new chief executive "must drive the organisation to remain the widely acknowledged and respected, innovative world leader of hockey that it is today," a Hockey Australia statement read.

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