Kere Johanson has become the new head coach of Australia's men's softball team ©Softball Australia/Twitter

Softball Australia has named Kere Johanson as head coach of its national men’s team ahead of the World Championships in the Czech Republic this June.

Johanson was assistant coach in 2009 when Australia won the world title and in 2013 when they won the bronze medal, and the governing body claim he will bring "a wealth of experience" to the role.

As well as becoming head coach of the team, nicknamed the Aussie Steelers, Johanson also joins Softball Australia’s coaching panel.

Laing Harrow departed as head coach in October to focus on gaining an Olympic spot for the women’s team.

The Australian men's team is ranked fourth in the world ©WBSC
The Australian men's team is ranked fourth in the world ©WBSC

"I’m really excited to take the head coach role with the Aussie Steelers," Johanson said.

"Laing has done a great job with the team in the past and we’re in a strong position to make another charge at gold in the World Championship coming up.

"That’s our immediate priority, so I’m looking forward to working with the men’s selectors and selecting a team for Prague in the coming weeks."

This year’s World Championships is due to take place in Havlíčkův Brod and Prague from June 13 to 23.