Not all New Zealanders in Tokyo were with the New Zealand team - many were plying their trades elsewhere. Kiwi Shane McLeod grew up in New Zealand, was a former Black Stick representing his country, then became Head Coach.

Shane McLeod was the New Zealand Men’s Black Sticks Head Coach at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, before heading off to coach in Belgium.

He has been the Head Coach of the Belgian Men's team, known as the Red Lions, winning a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics. He was named as Best Coach in 2017 and 2018 for his dedication with the Belgian team.

Shane was Head Coach of the Red Lions when they won the World title in 2018, and the European Championship in 2019.  He was voted Coach of the Year in Belgium in 2019.

As Head Coach, Shane has just guided the Belgian Men’s Hockey team to the Gold Medal podium position at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics!

Looking to the future, Shane, currently the world’s number one men’s coach, will be helping Auckland Hockey’s players and coaches while on sabbatical with his family in New Zealand, in the period after the Tokyo Olympic Games.