Former Olympian Matthew Smith with use his knowledge to help Kedron-Wavell in the Brisbane Hockey League Former Kookaburras Olympian Matthew Smith from Ferny Hills will coach Kedron-Wavell this season. Picture: Josh Woning Source: Quest Newspapers Ex-Kookaburras striker Matthew Smith will bring his coaching nous and experience from 166 international caps to lift Kedron-Wavell Hockey Club this season. Smith has had just three weeks to canvass the players since taking up the post ahead of the Brisbane Hockey League, which starts tomorrow. The club has adopted the Kedron-Wavell name rather than United for men's Division 1 and 2 this season, bringing to an end the joint venture with South West United in place since 2007. Five players have departed the club in the off-season, including sharp shooter Adam McClelland. Smith, who won gold at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, said he was looking forward to seeing what his side could do in the opening rounds. "I won't know where we're at until we're a couple of rounds in," he said. It think it (this season) will be about building for the next couple of year and hopefully by me being there that encourages some people to come over. The 39-year-old has experience coaching club hockey in Sydney and the Netherlands and said his philosophy was about player management and a simple game plan. "A lot of coaches say it but it's quite a simple game," he said. I also like to get the players' thoughts on things and that way you build a relationship. The whole player management things is the most important thing about coaching. Kedron-Wavell president John Davis said the club jumped at the chance to gain the services of an ex-Olympian. Smith joins Greg Browning (University of Qld) and Brent Livermore (Labrador) as Olympic medallists coaching in the BHL. "There's only a couple of guys of that level coaching in the BHL," he said. Part of bringing in guys who have played internationally but particularly coached interstate is it allows us to bring in a new perspective to Brisbane hockey. Davis said he felt Smith would also help create a link between mens and womens teams through his role as a consultant to the Queensland Academy of Sport women's hockey program. Kedron-Wavell QAS scholarship holders include Alyssa Kerr and Jasmine Larosa. Norths vs Kedron-Wavell at Burringbar Park, Chermside, March 9, 5pm.