1988 Hockeyroos’ tribute to ‘one of a kind’
Published Thu 16 Sep 2021
Our first loss...Kath. 'Our team' has lost a 'part of us'. And that part was a truly unique part. A part which was greater than 1/16th. Kath had a super-power soul, was an undeniable, unapologetic force, a genuinely bespoke influence on the strength of our team, equally on the field as off. She was an impetus and a powerhouse.
Our team chatted on messenger all through the Tokyo Games supporting our Hockeyroos, all the while knowing one of our own was in the biggest battle of all.
Dr Kathleen Anne Partridge, our mate, didn’t make her 58th birthday but we know she fought privately to the very end, with her family around her. And now Kath, may you rest in peace.
Kath will be remembered as one of the most formidable, dedicated, and talented goalkeepers of all time, both as a player, and also as coach of the Hockeyroos in the golden era of back-to-back Olympic Gold Medals, and then with the Kookaburras.
To our ‘88 team, she will be remembered as one-of-a-kind. Incredibly intelligent, a Principal, Hall of Famer, author, coach, amazing goalkeeper, roomy and friend, with a wicked sense of humour.
Prior to Seoul, Kath upped the ante, and spread magical belief in 'our team'....but this hockey-like impact was not all she had. She had an internal, individual strength in all that she did and never once boasted about.
Kath’s ability to tease out the critical elements of goalkeeping, to communicate how to perfect them, and to execute, was her skill. Kath prepared more than most, with her notes written on her pads of where every Dutch penalty taker would put their stroke. “Control the controllables,” she’d live by. She was all in, doing her part for all of us.
Kath is remembered for always bringing a positive energy and influence to all those around her. The sassy spirit, cheeky laugh and the pleasure she took from a productive conversation with a cold beer, is Kath to us.
In Kath’s own poetic words “…hockey is such a marvellous game, offering so much more than the final score”.
We will miss you teamie and will always be in our hearts – from your Hockeyroos ‘88
