Hockey New Zealand has apologised to players in their national women's team for its failure to address a negative environment during the reign of their former coach, Australian Mark Hager.
Former Kookaburras Olympic playing great Hager quit his decade-long post last month before the findings of an independent review were released.
Lawyer Maria Dew, whose review took in interviews with 33 women to have played under Hager over the last three years, found that 70 per cent of them had reported serious concerns about the environment.
She found HNZ failed to act and recommended the organisation develop an "action plan" to make it easier for players to express their concerns and for responses to be swifter and more transparent.
HNZ chairman Mike Bignell said he apologised to the players face-to-face before the findings of the review were released on Monday.
"It should never have got to this point and Hockey New Zealand unequivocally apologises to all those who have had a poor experience in the environment," Bignell said.
The probe into Hager began last August, after he mistakenly sent an email bagging certain players to the entire team.
It came four months after steering the team to Commonwealth Games gold.
Hager has since started in a role as coach of the England and Great Britain women's teams.
The 54-year-old admitted last month the inquiry in New Zealand had been stressful for him and his family and played a major part in his decision to leave.
Hager scored 179 goals in 230 Tests for Australia until 1996. In his prime, he was regarded as the world's premier striker.
