Born Subiaco, W.A.
6 February, 1952
Richard (Ric) Charlesworth is a legend of Australian men’s hockey representing his country 227 times between 1972 and 1988. Short in stature, powerfully-built and possessing brilliant speed and lateral movement, he was an explosive inside-forward and in his prime was rated the best player in the world.
He was selected for the five Olympic Games from 1972 to 1988, though Australia missed the 1980 Games in Moscow because of political pressure. He bought home an Olympic medal (silver) from the 1978 Games in Montreal.
Hockey’s records lack precise detail of Charlesworth’s career, indicating only that he captained Australia “more than 130 times: from 1977 to 1983 and scored “more than 90 goals in international matches.
Charlesworth took up playing hockey at the age of six, his interest nurtured by a primary school teacher, Alfred Thrope, and his junior coach, Doug McKenzie.
His career soon blossomed: he was selected in the state junior side (1966-67), made his first division debut at the age of 16 in 1968, represented the States colts from 1968 to 1971 and in 1981 to 1984.
Charlesworth played in six Champions’ Trophy tournaments from 1980 to 1988, winning gold medals in 1983 and 1985. He also contested four World Cup tournaments from 1975 to 1986.
His career highlight came in 1986 when Australia won the World Cup in London. He was the leading goalscorer of the tournament, voted best player and named in the World XI for the fifth time. He was previously chosen after the 1978 and 1982 World Cups and the 1976 and 1984 Olympics.
As a cricketer, Charlesworth was a dogged left-hand batsman and brilliant fields-man, representing WA 47 times from 1972-79 scoring 2327 runs with a highest score of 101 not out. He captained WA four times.
In 1983 Charlesworth took over the reins as coach of the Australian Women’s hockey team. His triumphs with the team include the 1996 Olympic gold medal, two World Cup gold medals (1994 & 1998), Champions Trophy titles (1993, 1995, 1997) and the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 1998.