The Hockeyroos hope the historic appointment of coach Katrina Powell will launch them back to the Olympic heights she enjoyed as a player more than 20 years ago.
Part of the side that won gold at the 1996 and 2000 Games, Powell was thrust back into the program as head coach in March.
Claims of body-shaming, bullying and lack of care led to a review that labelled the once-mighty program - they had also won gold in 1988 - dysfunctional and forced the exits of Hockey Australia high performance manager Toni Cumpston and coach Paul Gaudoin.
A lack of competitive exposure due to COVID-19 has also hindered the world No.4 side, but the Hockeyroos' first female coach since 1978 is confident they'll begin on Sunday in Tokyo against Spain with confidence.
"I think I come in with a freshness ... a credibility that is not me just saying that I want the Hockeyroos to be successful and do well," she said.
"They know that. It's part of who I am. It's part of my history. It feels like it's always been part of my history.
"So it's been great to have a direct impact on that. It's really rewarding to be involved at this point in time, but there's a whole lot of work that went on before I took over. These athletes have been preparing for a long time.
"I get to put the icing on the cake."
Veteran defender Edwina Bone pushed back retirement plans to make it to the delayed Games.
"We don't take that stuff for granted," she said of Powell's appointment.
"She's really inspirational to our group because of her success with the Hockeyroos and we're just hoping we can follow in her footsteps."
Australia's men begin their campaign on Saturday against hosts Japan, the Kookaburras ranked No.1 in the world as they hunt a second gold medal.
"We kind of reset after the last Olympic cycle and got a heap of not only different players, (but) new coaches and a different game style," co-captain Aran Zalewski said.
"We've got 11 guys making their (Olympic Games) debut now so there's a good mix of experience and youth and exuberance and I think that's held the team in good stead and given us some good growth in the last Olympic cycle."
Australian Associated Press
