Lambert retires from hockey

Kookaburras goalkeeper Stephen Lambert has announced his retirement from international hockey effective immediately.

Despite being selected in Ric Charlesworth's 2009 national squad, the 29-year-old has decided his playing days are over.

After missing Australia's recent test matches against Belgium and the Netherlands, Lambert had originally planned to return to the Kookaburras side before changing his mind.

"My commitment to the training and the program had waivered." Lambert said.

"I think the program which has been set out is a very good one and if I wasn't committed to the program and the direction it was heading it wasn't fair on the group,"

Coach Charlesworth said he was disappointed to lose Lambert, but understood his decision to retire.

"Obviously I am disappointed. He represents a level of experience and I was hoping the excitement of next year's World Cup would encourage him to continue. However I think the prospect of relocating to Perth and the level of training required influenced his decision," Charlesworth said.

Recruited from the Queensland Blades, Lambert played 113 matches for Australia. He was a member of the Kookaburras teams that won the 2005 and 2008 Champions Trophy, and also won gold medals at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games, and bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In light of Lambert's retirement, the process of finding a new goalkeeper is underway, with both Ross Meadows and George Bazeley the leading contenders to stand between the posts.