CelebratingCelebrating 11/11/1995 - 11/11/2020 Foreword Letter from current President Steve Stewart Hockey Queensland today spans 23 Associations and includes Master’s and Indoor Hockey, but that has not always been the case. In the 1990s a group of people had a vision of unification for our sport to enhance its management and provide opportunities and pathways for its athletes. Their efforts were rewarded in 1995 with the birth of Hockey Queensland (HQ) as a unified male and female State Sporting Organisation. The concept of HQ was first seriously proposed in 1993 by Daphne Pirie and Jim Quaite, the Presidents of Queensland Women’s Hockey Association and Queensland Hockey Association respectively. Through their diligence and the efforts of others, including the Steering Committee of Dennis Binnington, John Giles, Julie McNeil, Elsie Quaite and Janne Ellis we have evolved into the HQ of today. I consider the longevity of people’s involvement in hockey as one of the most endearing features of our sports culture, as many of the people who contributed to the creation of QWHA, QHA and of course HQ, are still involved in Hockey in Queensland. I would particularly like to thank Janne Ellis for her commitment to Hockey Queensland. Janne was there at the beginning and remains with us as our ‘historian’ and jack of all trades. Janne your contribution is appreciated. Go #TeamQLD, Steve Stewart Celebrating 25 years of Hockey Queensland On the 11th November 1995, Queensland Women’s Hockey Association and Queensland Men’s Hockey Association merged to form Hockey Queensland Incorporated. On the same date in 2020, Hockey Queensland Limited celebrates the silver anniversary of the amalgamation. Hockey Queensland history, awards, honour roll, and archives can always be found on our website www.HockeyQLD.com.au/about/history 1995 1997 2009 2010 2018 Words of a QWHA President Letter from Daphne Pirie AO MBE Since foundation, the fine, committed leadership of both Queensland Men’s & Queensland Women’s Hockey Associations took the sport of hockey to the A List. Twenty-five years ago, amalgamation saw the sport move to the next level. Hockey Queensland then became highly competitive in the fields of administration, sponsorship, media, and community awareness. Elite players were rewarded for their achievements and grass root athletes received well deserved support. Hockey had come of age! Daphne Pirie AO MBE The Amalgamation Letter from Jim Quaite OAM The initial proposal submitted by Daphne Pirie and Jim Quaite (Presidents of QWHA and QHA respectively) to amalgamate was defeated when QWHA members opposed such a scheme at a special meeting called in 1993. The following year, an agreement was reached to form a steering committee to further the prospects of both organisations amalgamating. At this time there was pressure from the State Government to deal with only one body, particularly for future funding. A long 18 months of negotiations with this committee resulted in another special meeting called of both QHA and QWHA, and the final plan which provided for a number of parts, including but not limited to a forward commitment to gender equity, and this plan was adopted. The work accomplished over those early years following amalgamation was huge, particularly the urgent commitment to pursue the State Hockey Centre being constructed. After considerable lobbying by the new steering committee, the State Government announced $4.8 million dollars funding to enable Stage 1 of the centre to be established. We were pleased to have the Governor of Queensland Her Excellency Leneen Forde AC officially open the Centre in April 1996. Thanks were extended to Ronda Nix and the late Paul (Porky) Morgan for their time and effort in progressing the State Hockey Centre. My term as President was extended in 1998 for a further three years, during which time the staging of the 1999 Champions Trophy for both men and women was hugely successful, with both the Australian men’s and women’s teams winning gold. I was required by the then Constitution to retire from my 2nd term as President and in November 2001, I handed the reins to Ken McElligott. On reflection, I believe the amalgamation has been a huge success. The number of internationals played here and around our state is beneficial to all members. The progression of true regionalisation and regional coaching schemes etc have been widely accepted, as has a number of other programmes. Jim Quaite OAM 1996 Beginning In 1996, the State Hockey Centre was ‘mostly’ completed, with the fields, grandstand, and change rooms built and officially opened by the then Governor of Queensland, Mrs Leneen Forde AC. The Club was yet to be finalised. Hockey Queensland (HQ) and the State Hockey Centre (SHC) brought five International and National events primarily to assist preparation for the Olympic Games announcements. The Hockeyroos won Gold at the Atlanta Olympic Games, whilst the Kookaburras won Bronze. Six Queenslanders competed including: Jenny Morris 1997 Renita Farrell In 1997, the Queensland Scorchers won the Clover Maitland then named NWHL series. National Brendan Garard Women’s Hockey League was the first Grant Smith outing for the women in this format, and was Baedon Choppy not yet connected to the Men’s National League. This was also the first year of the much sought after HQ Annual Awards. This year saw the beginnings of the commencement of HQ input into a Louis Hailey AM inducted as a Hockey Australia Queensland-wide Secondary Schools Life Member. competition, resulting in assistance with the games and Trophies presented in the names of great players to their winners. HQ’s submission to host both the 1999 Joint Champions Trophy and 1999 Golden Oldies Hockey Festival was successful. This was the first time a Joint Champions Trophy was held in Australia and therefore Queensland. 1998 The purchase of the property adjacent to the SHC allowed for the office to be moved from the then QE11 complex (today known as QSAC) in 1998. 1998 was the first time that team sports competed at the Commonwealth Games, and as a result the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras were able to attend. Nikki Mott and Michael Brennan were the Queenslanders named in the Games teams'. HQ created a separate entity/company called the 1999 1999 Champions Trophy Ltd to run the upcoming What an ‘eventful’ year! The FIH joint Champions Trophy hosted in Brisbane. 21st Champions Trophy for men and the 7th Champions Trophy The inaugural Hec Cormie Scholarships (provided for women was held at the SHC. for as a bursary from the Cormie family) were Australia won gold in both men awarded to Angie Skirving and Scott Brennan. and women. It was a huge undertaking for the venue and staff – the success of the event is 'Trappa' - still being talked about all these Champions years later. And then in in the Trophy mascot same year, just a few months later, the 9th Golden Oldies Hockey Festival, attracting over 1200 players and accompanying guests, was held. Prior to the Champions Trophy getting underway, the completion of the Legends Community Sports Club and office facilities adjacent to the SHC playing fields was completed. Daphne Pirie MBE inducted as a Hockey Australia Life Member. 2000 The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games took over most of the year with seven Queensland players representing Australia at the Games: Jenny Morris Clover Maitland Renita Garard Nikki Hudson Angie Skirving Michael Brennan Troy Elder QLD had the highest proportion of players than any other state. This was the year the HQ Team of the Century was announced. With their third Gold medal, the Of the ten National Championships played in Hockeyroos became Australia's most this year Queensland came away with successful Olympic team. 5 first places 4 second places Team Of The Century 1 third place 1900 - 2000 MEN WOMEN A revamp of the National League allowed for 1 Team per gender from each State from the Goalkeeper: Goalkeeper: Lou Hailey Clover Maitland former independent licences (franchise) teams. HQ supported Qld Scorchers and Brisbane Fullbacks: Fullbacks: Blades (once the Toowoomba and Brisbane Wally Hammond Jenny Morris franchise had wound up). The NQ Barra’s Don McWatters Kay Lehmann finished up in this year. Halves: Halves: Barry Dancer Tracey Belbin Jim Quaite OAM, Heather Scraggs OAM, and Treva King Renita Garard Graham Reid were inducted as a Hockey John McBryde Dianne Hirst Australia Life Member. Forwards: Forwards: Michael Brennan Debbie Bowman-Sullivan Greg Browning Julene Grant Mark Hager Lorelle Morrissey Fred Quine Nikki Hudson Graham Reid Annette West-Bail 2001 Jim Quaite retired as the inaugural HQ President with an enviable record - as president, the things he promoted in the name of hockey may never be repeated. This year saw changes in the State competition. The Premier League (top eight men’s and women’s teams) with 'travel equalisation' for all teams was introduced. Travel equalisation ensured that all 16 teams bore equal costs. There was a continuation of over 30% of Queensland Players to National Squad representation. Introduction of Vice Patron Business Development Group – to provide expert opinion and advice on corporate governance, finance and other business related activities lasted for a few years. This group consisted of prominent hockey and non-hockey business people offering advice and assistance to support hockey in Queensland. 2002 This year saw the incoming President Ken McElligott, the Inaugural Hall of Fame 2002 formation of the Ruby Robinson Hall of Fame and inductions, and the Secondary Schools Hockey Cup Tracey Belbin OAM Pam Glossop Dianne Hirst Don McWatters including 170 boys and girls teams across the state, culminating in a final series at the SHC. Greg Browning Noala Gordon Kym Ireland Don Mecklem* 2002 was the inaugural mixed Trans Tasman Masters Hockey Challenge Oz & NZ, where Hockey Queensland Hec Cormie MBE* Julene Grant Kay Lehmann Doug Siggs* hosted on behalf of Hockey Australia in Brisbane.