Anderson, the chief executive of Hockey Australia, is still finalising the details of his contract and an official announcement is due next week.

But Hockey Australia has released details of the appointment after it was leaked to the media. 

Anderson will take over a sport in crisis.

Australia's swimmers won just one Olympics gold medal, six silver and three bronze in London, their lowest tally in the pool since Barcelona 1992, and were without an individual gold medalist for the first time since Montreal in 1976.

The sport was also scandalised when it confirmed that initiation rituals involving prescription drugs at a pre-Games training camp in Manchester on the eve of London 2012 had wrecked Australia's preparations.

Leigh Nugent, Australia Swimming's head coach since 2009, was yesterday fired as a result of the scandal and the poor performance at London 2012. 

Under Anderson, who took over in November 2008, Hockey Australia has implemented a new constitution and corporate strategic plan and the introduction of new Gold-level partnerships with Fortescue, Ausdrill and ANPHA.

It had also staged three successful Champions Trophy tournaments, created the innovative Hockey 9's tournament in Perth, strengthened relationships with key Government and state/territory hockey partner organisations and enjoyed an unprecedented period of financial stability.

"Mark is still finalising details of his contract, but Hockey Australia had planned to make this announcement jointly with Swimming Australia next week," said a statement from Hockey Australia.