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News for 25 July 2020

All the news for Saturday 25 July 2020


Great opportunity for Indian hockey to repeat history at Tokyo: Harbinder Singh

Olympic gold medallist and two-time bronze medallist Harbinder Singh is positive about Indian hockey teams' chances at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.


Former hockey centre-forward Harbinder Singh won the gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.   -  The Hindu Archives

The last time the Olympics happened in Tokyo, Harbinder Singh realised his dream of winning a gold and the former Indian hockey center-forward is hoping that Manpreet Singh and his men will recreate history when the Japanese city hosts the Games next year.

Indian hockey has a rich history in the Olympics, having won an unprecedented eight gold medals, besides one silver and two bronze medals.

But India’s last success at the quadrennial event came 40 years ago in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, where it won the last of its eight gold medals.

Singh, who also won bronze medals at the 1968 Mexico games and the 1972 Munich Games apart from the coveted gold at the 1964 Games, said next year’s Olympics is an opportunity for the Indian team to again achieve the highest honour.

“Now after more than half a century, the Olympics is again taking place in Tokyo where I saw my dream come true with the Indian Team winning the Gold Medal,” the 77-year-old wrote in a column for Hockey India (HI).

“I feel it would be a great opportunity for our team to repeat this history in the same place by winning a Gold Medal and make it as memorable as it was for us in 1964.”

Singh, who also won a gold and a silver at the Asian Games in 1966 and 1970, also recalled the high-octane summit clash against Pakistan at the Tokyo Games.

“It was a very memorable match and a very thrilling one for me personally because it was my first Olympic Games. Winning a Gold Medal in my first Olympics was surely a great feeling,” he said.

“It was a tense final and the Umpire had warned both teams that if there were to be any foul during the course of the match, then the player would be given a red card and he would be out of the match.”

India went into the final after beating Belgium (2-0), Germany (1-1 draw), Spain (1-1), Hong Kong (6-0), Malaysia (3-1), Canada (3-0) and Netherlands (2-1) in the league matches. In the semifinal, India had defeated Australia (3-1).

Sportstar



On this day: Balbir Singh Sr. magic gives India fifth Olympic gold

India clinched its fifth successive hockey gold medal at Olympics, as Balbir Singh Sr. starred with five goals against the Netherlands in Helsinki, 1952.


Skipper Babu receives the gold medal after India beat Holland in the hockey final of Helsinki Olympics.   -  The Hindu Archives

India won the Olympic Hockey Championship and thus retained the world title, which has been theirs for the last quarter of a century, beating Holland decisively by six goals to one in the final played at the Helsinki Olympic hockey ground, Finland. The match was a personal triumph for Balbir Singh, the Indian centre-forward, who scored five goals for his country.

The Indian forward line moved in accordance with a carefully prepared plan, which was brilliantly executed by the skipper K.D. Singh 'Babu' and centre-forward, Balbir Singh.

The clouds vanished from the sky, and the sun shone over the ground soon after the start. This helped the Indians, who went about their task with determination and skill on a ground, which was not particularly affected by yesterday's drizzle.

Balbir Singh was simply brilliant, and it was the excellent form of the Dutch goalkeeper, L. S. Mulder, which limited goals from Balbir's stick to five.

After being completely outclassed in the first half, when their robust tactics paid no dividends, the Dutch in the second half decided to meet polish with polish, science with science. This change in their mode of play immediately paid a rich dividend in the form of their only goal of the match, scored by R.T. Esser, their inside-left, whose successful shot was as spectacular as that of Babu in the first half.

The Gold Medal was won by India for the fifth successive time. This may be her only Gold Medal of the 15th Olympiad.


The scorecard showing the final score at the end of the hockey final at 1952 Olympics.   -  The Hindu Archives

When the final whistle went up, 5,000 thrilled spectators rose to give a hearty cheer to India for their undisputed supremacy in hockey.

After the match, which among others, was watched by India's Minister to Finland, Mr. M. Desai and his wife. Flags of India, Holland and Britain went up, while the band played India's National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana...

Earlier, Mr. G. D. Sondhi, on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, in which he represents India, distributed the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to India, Holland and Britain.

Indians'polished game

A good breeze blew across the Velodrome hockey ground, when the match began. The speedy Dutch forwards went over to the attack immediately after the bully-off and forced a long corner in the first minute. The Indians cleared this without any difficulty, and soon settled down to their polished scientific game, which compelled the Dutch to strengthen their defence, but he shot straight at the goalkeeper's pad.

The Dutch were now completely on the defensive, the Indians cooly pressing their advantage. In the fifth minute, Balbir Singh, centre-forward, opened India's account off a pass from his skipper, with a stinging high shot, which gave the Dutch goalkeeper no chance.

Four minutes later, Balbir Singh repeated his performance after he and Babu had gone through the Dutch defence with some deft short passing. In the 25th minute, Babu, who, with bare feet, was back to his best form, scored India's third goal after collecting a pass from Keshav Dutt, centre-half.


India's goalkeeper Francis makes a difficult save during the hockey finals of the Helsinki Olympics.   -  The Hindu Archives
 
Once India's forward line had begun to move like a well-oiled machine, the Dutch whose methods were robust, were left standing. In the 33rd minute, Balbir Singh scored his third goal. At half-time, India were leading by four goals to nil.

India started on the attack, but were twice played off-side by the Dutch backs. After Mulder, the Dutch goalkeeper saved well from a corner, an Indian attack in the tenth minute beat the backs and Balbir Singh netted his fourth goal.

Holland was quick to retaliate and a minute later a pass by Van Heel enabled Esser shoot past Francis. The Dutchmen, inspired by their success, pressed hard. India conceded five corners in succession before Francis cleared.

Balbir Singh had another chance, when he broke through the centre, but his shot was wide. Balbir Singh scored his fifth goal with five minutes to play, when he netted off a pass from Babu, who in the last second shot too high.

Mr. M. L. Mitra, Manager of the Indian team, said after the match: "Throughout the game, there was no doubt that there was only one superior team and that was India. The Dutch put all they had in the game, but our forwards were too swift. The ground was fair and this was in our favour."


A jubilant Indian hockey team celebrates after its win in the final.   -  The Hindu Archives

Mr. Rein de Waal, Manager of the Dutch hockey team, said: "It was a great game. The Indians were very fast and on the run of play, they ought to have won. I knew they were very good, but I did not know they were so good as to beat Holland by six goals to one. OUr defence was a bit weak before India's brilliant forwards. It was a great pity that the ground was dry, which the Indians love."

Mr. R. Y. Fison, Manager of the British team, said: "There is no doubt that India showed their supremacy in the game this afternoon. They were the complete masters in all departments of the game. India won in a canter."

(This article was first published in The Hindu in 1952)

Sportstar



Malaysian Nat'l junior team goalies out of shape

By Jugjet Singh


S. Kumar. - NSTP File pic

THE men's national junior team have a weighty problem on their hands. With a limited number of young goalkeepers with quality in the country, the junior team are in a fix as their three custodians are overweight.

The trio were fit and sharp between the posts but when the Movement Control Order (MCO) kicked in, they failed to keep their weight in check.

National development coach S. Kumar, once regarded as Asia's No 1 keeper, realises that there is a need to groom more goalkeepers at the junior level.

"There are only three keepers in the junior set-up. The trio, however, are a little overweight following the MCO.

"They are, however, good enough to play in the Junior Asia Cup. But I will scout for more keepers during age-group competitions after the tournament. I need a bigger group to select from. This is because a goalkeeper can either make or break a team during matches," said Kumar.

The top four teams in the Junior Asia Cup will qualify for next year's Junior World Cup.

"Hopefully, by the time the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) fix the dates of the Junior Asia Cup, the keepers will be at their best. Only two keepers will make the final squad."

The AHF, meanwhile, are facing a dilemma in fixing the new dates for the Junior Asia Cup as some countries are seeing a second wave of Covid-19 infections.

Hosts Bangladesh have recorded an increase of cases in the last few weeks.

National junior coach Wallace Tan said: "I hope the tournament will be held by the end of the year.

"If not, all teams are going to find it difficult to make the trip to Dhaka and play under strict standard operating procedure (SOP)," said Wallace.

New Straits Times



Goal-setting provides path to recovery for Mangisa



The beauty of sport is that it provides the platform for dreams to turn to reality. In this series of articles we speak to people who have dug deep to make their own dreams come true – sometimes defying the odds in the process.

South African goalkeeper Sanani Mangisa spent two Olympic cycles – Beijing 2008 and London 2012 – as the understudy to number one goalkeeper Mariette Rix. Patiently, the Johannesburg-based goalkeeper trained, played, watched and waited for her chance.

Rix retired immediately after the London Olympic Games and Mangisa thought her chance had arrived as she stepped into the goal as first choice goalkeeper. A series of high class performances in the following months were enough to seal her place as the South African goalkeeper. Her main goal was the 2014 World Cup in the Hague, the Netherlands. Having missed out on two Olympic Games and a World Cup, the prospect of competing at a major international event was her one and only thought.

Disaster struck at the beginning of 2014. Mangisa suffered a career-threatening Achilles tendon tear and her chances of recovering and being fit for selection were remote. An injury such as hers can take anything from four to six months to fully repair. Time was not on her side.

In what came close to a miraculous recovery, Mangisa was recovered in time for both the Champions Challenge in Glasgow which took place in May 2014 and then the Rabobank Women’s World Cup in the Hague a month later.

The then Head Coach of the South African team, Sheldon Rostron spoke to South African news outlet News24 after Mangisa was named in the South African World Cup squad: “Sanani has shown a lot of courage,” said Rostron. “She is a fighter and its taken a whole lot of character. She put in a lot of hard work, throughout her injury and that has enabled a quick turnaround once her injury was healed.”

The process of recovery comprised hours on an anti-gravity treadmill and then specific work on the achilles and calf muscle to regain the explosive power needed to be an elite goalkeeper.

Looking back at that time, Mangisa, who is a member of the South African Olympic Association  Athletes Commission, says: “Having played in an Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, I was missing the one tournament that I considered the pinnacle of our sport. Making that team was almost like a priority goal for me on two counts. One: to make the team and two: was to see how far I could push my body to recover in record time. Playing in the first dual World Cup (men and women) was a daily motivation for me.

“When I stood on the pitch four our opening game, more than anything I felt a great deal of satisfaction that I had completed a recovery process that had look near impossible at the start. I came back to full hockey training 3.5 months post my achilles injury. I felt a sense of pride in the work that I had done to get to that moment of singing the national anthem with the team.”

Looking back on her hockey journey, Mangisa says that goal-setting was one of the most powerful tools she had to get her back on track and it is a message she passes on to others who find themselves up against similar challenges. “Setting goals post injury is important. But having a detailed map of how to navigate getting to those goals is equally as important. Set a short term weekly map that will help you achieve your goals. There are going to be setbacks in recovery but be kind to yourself and deal with those with some perspective.”

Mangisa has stepped away from hockey now, although she mentors a number of young players but she says the resilience she learnt on the hockey pitch spills over regularly into every other aspect of her life. “I think resilience is built over encountering certain situations and coming out on the other side of those situations okay,” she says. “The more challenging experiences one is faced with, the more the mind understands that “I’ve been here before and I can do this.”

FIH site



Athlete Spotlight: Paul Singh



Each athlete that wears the red, white and blue has a unique story to how their careers came to fruition. From the junior level to the senior squad, USA Field Hockey is putting national team athletes under the spotlight to share their journeys.

It takes a lot to be at the top of one's game, and as the old saying goes, anything is possible if you just believe. According to U.S. Men’s National Team athlete Paul Singh, it takes both solid physical and mental abilities to break through that barrier and has used this mindset to help become a reliable member of the Wolfpack.



Like many of his teammates, Singh grew up in Moorpark, Calif., a West Coast hotspot for the men’s side of the game, and picked up the game at the age of six. He credits picking up the game through his dad and the local community, all of which played with a passion, so was only a matter of time until he caught the field hockey bug while watching from the sidelines.

“My dad played a little bit when he was growing up in India,” said Singh. “He usually stuck with cricket, but he always loved the sport and encouraged me to get into it. Also, at the time in the late 90’s until 2010 the men's side was based in Moorpark for the most part. Either you played overseas or you moved to Southern California and trained and played in the league in Moorpark.”

That extra exposure from grassroots play to the elite level is what Singh credits in inspiring himself and several other athletes to one day reach the Olympic level. While he grew fond of the game, Singh also played basketball up until high school before having to choose between dribbling only one type of ball full-time.

“My journey to the USMNT was a journey of a lot of work and commitment,” said Singh. “At that time we had four regions and would train year-round. We would all meet in San Diego and play a national championship. This was the way you would get selected to the U-18 or U-21 USMNT. That’s how I got into the pipeline and I also trained with men’s team when we were in Moorpark as well.”

At the age of 13, he was named to the U-18 USMNT. While working through the U.S. Men’s Olympic Development Pipeline, Singh was very active in club play even from a young age.

“I started playing for the Huntington Beach Surfers when I was about six,” continued Singh. Then, when I turned eight or nine, my dad and some other friend split from that club to start their own thing. At the time he started the Wizards and Raptors in Moorpark, and we all started progressing really quick. Some former national team players like Rinku Bhamber, Sean Harris and Ben Maraquin were our coaches.”

Still at the age of 13, Singh began playing Division 1, the highest competition level for men in Moorpark. He then transitioned to the LA Tigers club team where Bhamber was also team captain. Together, the club regularly travels the U.S. and Canada for tournaments around the year, including the world-renowned California Cup. In 2011, Singh helped USA to a fourth place finish at the Junior Pan American Championship in Guadalajara, Mexico.

In 2012, Singh packed his bag for San Diego, along with several other junior USMNT athletes, to train full-time at the Chula Vista Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. When not training on the pitch, he attended Southwestern Community College and worked a multitude of jobs through the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). That same year Singh was named to the senior USMNT and picked up his first international cap in a 22-0 victory over Guatemala.

When he was not competing with USA, Singh made a huge leap and decided to play club ball overseas beginning in 2016. With school now on hold and thousands of miles away from the nearest family member, he settled in with Southgate HC in London before moving on to Bundesliga in Germany with HTC Stuttgart (2017-19) and currently with Crefelder HTC.

As a member of the USMNT, Singh helped the red, white and blue to multiple medals and top-finishes in recent years, including bronze at the 2017 men’s Pan American Cup in Lancaster, Pa. and at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Despite being a part of field hockey, his favorite memory thus far has been playing under the lights at the 2019 FIH Series Finals in Bhubaneswar, India.



“For me honestly the best [moment] was playing in India in Kalinga Stadium,” commented Singh. “The best part was my relatives in India could turn on the television and see me play and watch me get interviewed. Also, it was awesome because my parents are from India, I felt a lot of love there from my family and the fans who came to watch all hockey there. That was amazing!”

While not competing, Singh has returned to the classroom to pursue a degree in business management through DeVry University and its close partnership with the USOPC. When back home in the Golden State, he volunteers his time to help out every age group practicing around Moorpark, coaching the Ventura County Red Devils club team or picking up where he left off with the LA Tigers. Wherever the road takes him, Singh always looks to give back to others around the fie

USFHA media release



XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games



The Olympic Committee of Panama (COP) informed its country after a meeting held this morning with the Vice Minister of the Presidency, the Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, the Director of “PANDEPORTES”, among other administrative authorities, that the National Government has decided to withdraw from the organization of the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games.

On the other hand, the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization (CACSO) expressed its surprise and announced that they will seek solutions to carry out this event in an alternative place

"For CACSO, health comes first, and we have always been in contact with the Organizing Committee to find ways to solve the games and allow Panama to guarantee the health of its population," said Luis Mejia Oviedo, President of CACSO and IOC member.

Despite this, the president of CACSO reported that this organization will continue with the organization of the 2022 Games. The Executive Committee will meet on Saturday, July 25, to discuss the issue and start looking for alternatives and solutions.

Pan American Hockey Federation media release



Applications open for GB Women’s EDP Head Coach



Applications are now open for the role of GB Women’s Elite Development Programme Head Coach.

We are keen to hear from individuals who could excel in the role and lead a performance programme for sub-senior elite female players with a high functioning staff which strives for result through the pursuit of excellence. You will bring super-strengths and qualities which will inspire, develop and empower others, along with an unrelenting desire for high performance and a passion for supporting young adults to achieve their potential both as elite athletes and as people.

If you have experience of delivering exceptional team performance and individual player development at international level (coaching), a proven capability in the holistic development of athletes and programmes, are results driven with exceptional interpersonal skills then we would love to hear from you.

For a full Job Description and details of how to apply, please click HERE

Closing Date:  17.00 Friday 7th August 2020.

Great Britain Hockey media release



Nottingham Hockey Centre set to become biggest club outside of Holland

By Richard Bright


Ground-breaking: David Griffiths, Mark Swatton (Project Manager, Agripower) and Kevin Fear launch the project

Nottingham Hockey Centre, home of Beeston HC, is set to become the largest hockey centre in the world outside Holland following a £2 million investment which will take its pitches to six.

Following a deal with Nottingham High School, two new synthetic pitches will be added by the end of the year which the club claims will rank the centre alongside the ‘superclub’ concept in the Netherlands.

Catering for an influx in junior boys and girls, the high school will also establish an “ambitious” outreach programme for hockey in the community, with a particular focus on local schools. At a time when hockey in state schools is lacking serious provision and focus, it will be interesting to monitor the community development in future years.

This investment brings 113 years of history full circle: Beeston HC was founded in 1907 by former students of Nottingham High School. The land at Highfields was left in trust for the people of Nottingham by Jesse Boot, founder of Boots, for the purpose of sport and recreation. Jesse was also a former pupil at Nottingham High School. The new partnership will ensure that the site continues to be a beacon for Nottingham sport.

Kevin Fear, headmaster of Nottingham High School, said: “We are delighted to be further enhancing our excellent sporting facilities through this investment.  We strongly believe that alongside our excellent academic provision we have a really strong sporting offer and this new facility, together with our Sports Field at Valley Road, enable us to offer our students fantastic facilities in which to develop their sporting aspirations.”

“We look forward to working with the Nottingham Hockey Centre in developing an outreach programme to enable local schools and clubs also to make use of this new facility and we are proud to be part of the largest hockey centre in the UK.”

David Griffiths, Chairman of Nottingham Hockey Centre, said the deal inked with the high school would mean hockey would become even more of a focus in the city.

He said: “With the construction of these new pitches and Beeston Hockey Club’s matches featuring weekly on Notts TV, we are well on the way to achieving this. I’m particularly looking forward to the results the schools outreach programme will bring to the city and introduce new people to the sport.

“Since I became Chairman of Nottingham Hockey Centre in 2011, I’ve had the unmitigated pleasure of upgrading the playing surfaces of the three existing pitches which were installed at the turn of the millennium, as well as seeing the construction of the University of Nottingham water-based pitch. I’m absolutely confident that Nottingham High School’s investment of two further pitches will enhance Nottingham’s position as a prominent European hockey centre, and raise the profile and importance of club hockey in England for years to come.”

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The Hockey Paper



Locals excited to launch new hockey league

Khomotso Makgabutlan


Since its inception, the Johannesburg Hockey League franchises have released names of young marquee players in their teams, with players still able to register. Photo: Supplied

BEAULIEU– The newly formed Johannesburg Hockey League aims to boost young players and coaches throughout the province with skills and high-performance development.

A new hockey league which aims to produce the best young school players in and around Gauteng was officially launched on 3 July.

The Johannesburg Hockey League (JHL) is open to boys and girls in the age groups of U14, U16 and U18. The league and coaches have already began recruiting in the province.

While there are a number of star-studded players and coaches in South African hockey set to participate in the league, there are a few community favourites involved with the new league as well.Coaches Jesse Salo and Reza Rosenberg of the Beaulieu Hockey Academy, are the standout Midrand community members who will be taking on coaching and managing roles in the league.

Sharmin Naidoo, head of cricket and hockey at Wits University, founded the league together with former South African hockey player Lance Louw and former first-class cricketer Ziyaad Desai. Naidoo described the league as a chance for young players to make their mark in ‘creating a top class hockey competition that, in turn, will develop a high performance pipeline and recruitment pathway for players and coaches’.

“Real time high performance through competitive matches will develop our future stars as they will play against the very best, and will be coached against the very best,” he said.

There are six teams in the league which are Jozi Warriors, Mzanzi Hawks, Northside Griffins, Eastside Mavericks, Central Samurai and Sporting Supermen.


Allistar Fredericks, president of the Southern Gauteng Hockey Association is the owner of one of the new teams. Photo: Supplied

Allistar Fredericks, Southern Gauteng Hockey Association (SGHA) president and owner of the Northside Griffins expressed his excitement about the league.”The league provides another platform where junior hockey players from all walks of life in Gauteng can become a part of a high performance franchised competition, pitting best junior players against each other,” said Fredericks.

He added that the league was endorsed by SGHA and all income from this league would go towards the financial assistance of provincial players selected to represent Southern Gauteng at various national indoor and outdoor tournaments.

Due to Covid-19 regulations in place in the country, the aim is to have matches start near the end of 2020. Naidoo said once matches have the green light to take place, they would be hosted at different hockey venues in Johannesburg.

“This six franchise league has attracted all the top quality players, coaches and officials from Southerns, Northerns, Easterns, and possibly North West and Mpumalanga.”

Naidoo concluded, “Osaka is also the official teamwear of the league. This league is sure to be a top quality event. We want the JHL to be exciting and entertaining for all stakeholders, and we hope to grow the game and take it to new levels.”

Midrand Reporter



Life Member - Colin Wansbrough



Colin Wansbrough fell in love with the game of hockey from the moment he ventured to Wattle Park in Camberwell as a youngster. He enjoyed great success on the field at club and state level, but it was off the field in administration where Colin went on to make an even greater contribution.

The magnitude of what hockey meant and continues to mean to Colin is evidenced by the amount of time he has given to the game at club, state and national level, often to the detriment of his own business and family. Selfless, humble and diligent in performing his duties, for Colin it has always been about the game and the players - never himself.

Camberwell Hockey Club, where Colin has played his whole life, has been a major beneficiary of his service and talent. Colin has been a Patron of the club since 2005 and played an integral role in the establishment of the clubhouse facility in 1995 and the club’s first artificial pitch in 1985.

Colin was also a key figure in starting up the hugely successful Victorian Veterans Hockey Competition in 1977.

In Episode 11 of Camberwell Hockey Club’s current podcast series, Colin is fittingly referred to as a club legend and pivotal figure in Australian hockey. You can listen to the podcast here.

What they said…

“I have been privileged to make so many friends and it has been a fantastic time. When you get into your eighties like I am now you look back and think how lucky you were. I remember getting a call one night to go to Pakistan and take over as the Tournament Director because someone else had pulled out, and I said ok I’d love to do that. That wouldn’t happen these days because the world has changed so much.

I suppose you reflect on your life and from starting hockey at Camberwell Hockey Club as a 13 year old, the club went through a pretty torrid time in the 1970’s and then we managed to resurrect it. It’s fantastic to see the club come through difficult times and have some wonderful times both on and off the field. I can look back and think this club can now give kids half the start that I had out of it and that is has all been for a good cause. Being an amateur sport, you are surrounded by people who have put into it out of their own time and effort. I look back with a fair bit of satisfaction and comfort that it’s in a good place.

The fact that hockey is a team sport makes a huge difference because you share things with others. You share the highs and the lows, you get people to work alongside you, and because it is played at all levels and ages and is so inclusive, that it is a big family and I guess that’s the bonding spirit that gives you the reward. There are so many people you can relate to. Essentially it’s an amateur sport so people sacrifice their time and effort to do it and I think that makes a difference.” Colin Wansbrough

From those in the know…

“Like a lot of lucky children introduced to the wonderful sport that is hockey I was just incredibly fortunate to have a father who led me to the game. As an administrator he served at all levels from his first love the Camberwell Hockey Club, at state level with Victoria as president and with Hockey Australia as a director and ultimately FIH where he rose to notoriety as a judge (who once had to wear an awful pink blazer in Pakistan at a world championship).

He dedicated so much of his life to helping the game and never asking for anything in return. He would say he got plenty back watching the sport enjoy huge success over the years, whether it be the magnificent Australian teams blitzing on the world stage or at local levels seeing juniors take up the game or veterans just enjoying the camaraderie the sport offers. I know he was extremely humbled and appreciative of the many acknowledgments that life membership has provided.” David Wansbrough (son and former Kookaburra)

“From what I’ve seen, and it’s hard because I’m only 24, but it has been more hearing from other people what he has done. The way I am treated by his peers I can see that there is a lot of respect for him from other clubs and other coaches.” Max Harris (grandson)

Hockey Timeline
Player
Victoria (all with Camberwell Hockey Club)
1949-1951 Junior career began with Rick Purser
1952 Senior career comprised playing with Australian players Mike Craig, Charlie Morley, Keith Thornton & Graham Wood
1952-1965 A Grade (Premiers in 1956, 1958 and 1959)
1958 Victorian League Best & Fairest
1965-1990 Played lower grades until the age of 54

Administrator and Official
Victoria
1960-1980 Camberwell Hockey Club selector
1960-1995 Camberwell Hockey Club Board Member
1990-1995 President
1965-1980 Victorian State Junior selector
1957-1963 Treasurer
1975-1976 Vice President
1977-1979 Hockey Victoria President

Hockey Australia
1977-1983 Hockey Victoria delegate to Hockey Australia (HA)
1984-1993 HA Treasurer

International
1989-1997 Technical officer judge and tournament director

Hockey Australia media release

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