In this episode of Studio Hockey, we dive into a riveting discussion with Michael Nobbs. A figure whose life and career span the rich global landscape of field hockey. Michael Nobbs represented Australia at the 1984 Olympics and later brought his expertise to coaching India’s national team from 2011 to 2013, notably leading them back to the Olympic stage after missing the 2008 Beijing Games. Hockey runs deep within his family roots: his wife Lee Capes won gold with Australia in Seoul 1988, his daughter Kaitlin was part of the Australian team at the Tokyo Olympics and his brother in law, Mark Hager, is currently coaching the Kookaburras, the national men’s team of Australia. Michael stands not only as a seasoned player and coach but also as a mentor and a fighter, having battled cancer twice—a testament to his resilience and enduring passion for the sport.
How are things going since your coaching days?
Kicking off the conversation, Jaspreet asks how life has been for Michael since stepping away from top-level coaching. Michael shares that he’s now happily playing the part of a supportive dad, following his daughter Kaitlin’s hockey journey and enjoying a less pressurized relationship with the sport. “She won’t let me come anywhere near anybody. Now I’m just the dad—no longer involved at top level hockey coaching,” he jokes. However, Michael hasn’t left hockey behind completely. He continues to mentor coaches worldwide and focuses on skills development for young athletes, sometimes conducting online sessions. Despite being on the sidelines, he finds joy in watching games, often via livestreams, and reconnects with the hockey community whenever possible. Especially with friends in India: “There’s always something going on in India which is catastrophic or calamitous, which is always so much fun to talk about.”
How does hockey help you through tough times, like your battle with cancer?
Jaspreet highlights Michael’s personal battle with cancer, mentioning his determination to join this podcast even during challenging times. Michael replies that hockey is more than a game—it’s a support network and a source of motivation. He shares a touching story about the hockey community’s generosity, recounting how they rallied to help Grant Schubert, whose daughter has a severe disability:
“What I’ve often found in hockey is the fact that it’s a real family. All the people that I used to play against are all friends of mine. We used to battle the hell out of each other… But as the years go by, we ring up and say, ‘Can I come and stay at your place?’”
For Michael, this camaraderie and shared passion have provided strength and positivity throughout life’s challenges.
Why have so many Australian coaches ended up in Indian hockey?
Jaspreet finds it remarkable that Michael, along with fellow Australian greats Ric Charlesworth and Terry Walsh, all coached India. Michael traces this back to a unique blend of backgrounds and cultural exchanges. Growing up in Perth, he was coached by Indian-born mentors due to migration waves in the 1960s:
“All of my coaches were Indians. So I learned the Asian style of playing, which then helped Australia develop into kind of a mixture between Asian and European style hockey.”
This cross-cultural foundation shaped not only his playing but also his approach to coaching. Reflecting on the challenges his colleagues faced in India, Michael emphasizes, “Unless you understand the Indian culture, you’re going to fail miserably—quickly.” He recounts humorous and poignant anecdotes about the difficulties foreign coaches faced, sometimes because of language barriers or clashing leadership styles.
What did you learn from coaching in Japan and India?
Ernst is curious about Michael’s experiences coaching in Japan and India, and asks what lessons he took away both as a coach and a person. Michael notes vast cultural differences, describing the Japanese as “very robotic” in their discipline—“They’ll just keep running, running, running, until they drop over dead,”—while Indian players sometimes take a more creative approach to discipline. Importantly, Michael highlights the “stories behind the athletes,” noting that many players come from challenging backgrounds but possess astonishing resilience and determination. Recalling individual tales, like a player who studied for his master’s degree under a streetlamp, Michael shares:
“Everybody’s got a story to tell.”
This awareness taught him the value of compassion and truly understanding his players’ journeys, a lesson that influenced his coaching philosophy:
“I learned a lot about compassion and helping people from especially the Japanese. And then that helped when I was coaching India, to start to really talk to the players, really get an understanding of where they’re from and what they’re doing.”
How did the Australian Institute of Sport influence your career as a coach?
Jaspreet wonders about the influence of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) on Michael’s coaching. Michael clarifies that AIS, established in the early ’80s, was a response to Australia’s disappointing 1978 Olympic results and initially focused on integrating sports science. “We started to bring scientists in to develop the human body so we could be faster, stronger,” he explains, but notes it was some time before the Institute truly began developing coaching expertise. While the AIS improved athlete support and planning for life after sport (“You can’t be in the Institute unless you’re studying or you’ve got a job”), Michael’s own coaching skills came mainly from learning directly alongside other experienced players and mentors.
What were the main differences between coaching in India and Australia?
Ernst asks about the contrasts between coaching in Australia and India. Michael explains that the key difference is the survival-driven culture in India:
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