2024 Life Member and Award of Merit Recipients Announced

Nine of Australian hockey’s most dedicated advocates have been officially recognized for their selfless dedication and significant contributions to the sport's advancement through the annual Hockey Australia (HA) Life Membership and Award of Merit announcement.

Ron Riley (NSW), Bob Peebles (VIC), Janet Beverley (NSW) and the late Verna Klye (VIC)  are the latest to join the distinguished HA Life Member list.

The five new Award of Merit recipients are Godfrey Phillips (NSW), Graham Wakefield (QLD), Barbara Rutter (NSW) Linda Hunter (QLD) and Chris Chittick (VIC) 

These recipients were ratified by the HA Board at this year’s HA Annual General Meeting.

Hockey Australia Life Membership is awarded for outstanding and sustained service to hockey in Australia at national and/or international levels, or conspicuous achievement in significant areas of endeavour which enhanced hockey at a national and/or international level.

The Award of Merit is given for dedicated and sustained commitment to the development of hockey in Australia, and devoted and successful service to hockey and the promotion of the values which underpin the sport.
Presentations to the nine recipients will take place at events to be determined in their home state or territory at a later date.

Hockey Australia 2024 Award Recipients
LIFE MEMBER
Ron Riley (NSW)
Ron Riley had a distinguished playing career with the Australian men’s hockey team. Across 79 caps, he amassed 61 goals, achieving notable successes including silver medals at the Mexico City (1968) and Montreal (1976) Olympics. Additional accolades include scoring 5 goals in one match against Mexico at the 1972 Munich Olympics and a bronze medal at the 1980 Champions Trophy.

Beyond his playing career, Ron Riley played a pivotal role in Australian hockey's infrastructure and international presence. His efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the State Sports Centre in Homebush in 1985. He facilitated the return of international hockey to New South Wales and paved the way for Sydney’s hosting of the 1990 Women’s FIH World Cup and the 1994 Men’s FIH World Cup. Moreover, Ron oversaw the construction of Sydney’s hockey stadium for the 2000 Olympic Games and played a leading role in managing hockey operations for both the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Bob Peebles (VIC)
Robert (Bob) Peebles has been integral to the hockey community for over 50 years, contributing as a player, manager, administrator, and Board Member. His journey began with the Victorian Hockey Association in 1992, where he served on the Executive Committee and later held Vice President and Presidential roles during his nine-year tenure.

In 1996, Bob embarked on a decade-long tenure with the Hockey Australia Board, playing a crucial role during a period of significant transition and amalgamation within Australian Hockey. He spearheaded the development of the Australian Hockey Association Strategic Plan and was instrumental in the evolution of the National Hockey League into the Australian Hockey League (AHL). Additionally, Bob served on the Hockey Australia High Performance Committee and played a pivotal role in merging the Men’s and Women’s National Associations into a unified entity.

Bob's contributions extended to the Victorian Hockey Association, where he played a key role in the redevelopment of the State Netball Hockey Centre and managed hockey operations before and during the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In recognition of his enduring dedication, Bob was honored as a Life Member of Hockey Victoria in 2012.

Janet Beverley (NSW)
Janet Beverley's impact on hockey has been felt worldwide. Her journey began in the 1960s and 70s, playing for NSW and representing Australia on international tours. This experience paved the way for her to take on various administrative roles within Australian Hockey, including a notable tenure as Coaching Convenor for the NSW Women’s Hockey Association.

Her influence extended internationally, where she contributed significantly to hockey in Canada and the USA. Notably, Janet served on the organizing committee for the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup in Ottawa and umpired in two international matches.

In 2022, Janet achieved a significant milestone by completing her PhD at the University of Queensland. Titled “More than a Game: Australian Women’s Hockey, 1896 to 2000 – Feminism, Practical Feminism, and Communitas,” her thesis represents the culmination of a lifetime of dedication and lived experience. It offers a profound study on the intersection of feminism and Australian hockey during these years, enriching the limited literature on the history of women’s hockey in Australia.

Verna Klye (VIC)
The late Verna Klye was a revered figure in Hockey Victoria and Hockey Australia, celebrated as a trailblazer in women’s hockey with a distinguished coaching career spanning over 50 years. Taking charge of the WA Senior Women’s Team in 1983 marked the beginning of her influential journey, which extended across various states including Queensland, ACT, Victoria, and Tasmania before becoming the National Junior Coach.

Verna's coaching acumen was widely acknowledged, leading to her appointment as Coaching Convenor at the Victorian Hockey Association from 1988 to 1994 and Australian Under 21 Selector from 1990 to 1998. Her mentorship impacted numerous elite hockey players who emerged through Australia's developmental pathways during that era.

AWARD OF MERIT
Godfrey Phillips (NSW)
After immigrating to Australia from India in 1966, Godfrey Phillips swiftly integrated into the NSW Hockey Community. From 1967 to 1995, he made significant contributions as a player, captain, and coach of NSW teams. His influence extended further when he served as Chairman of NSW Men’s Selectors from 2008 to 2011, shaping the development of numerous talented hockey players in the state.

Godfrey also represented Australia in hockey from 1968 to 1972, notably contributing to the preparation of the 1972 Munich Olympic squad as a member of the Australia A team. His commitment to the sport persisted into the early 2000s, during which he captained the Australian and NSW Masters teams from 2006 to 2009. He also made notable contributions to hockey commentary, particularly remembered for his role during the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games with Channel 9.

Graham Wakefield (QLD)
Graham Wakefield has dedicated over 25 years to coaching in Queensland and for Hockey Australia Masters. From 1987 to 2019, with the exception of 1997, he tirelessly coached Queensland Girls and Women’s representative sides. His coaching prowess shone brightly during his tenure with the Queensland Women’s 35’s team, leading them to an impressive 10 national titles from 1998 to 2019.

Graham’s success extended to the international stage when he was selected as an Australian Women’s Masters coach, a role he held from 2000 to 2018. During this period, his leadership guided teams to victories at numerous Trans-Tasman Challenges, International Tournaments, and Masters World Cups.

Barbara Rutter (NSW)
Barbara Rutter has made enduring contributions to hockey through her extensive roles in administration and team management within NSW and Australian Hockey. She served as secretary for the NSW Hockey Coaching Federation and later as Team Manager for the NSW Women’s State team. Barbara's influence then extended to the international stage when she took on the crucial role of Team Manager for the Hockeyroos from 1989 to 1993.

During her tenure with the Hockeyroos, Barbara managed the team at numerous prestigious tournaments, including the Champions Trophy. She was notably present with the team during their journey to the 1990 Women’s World Cup final, where they narrowly lost to the Netherlands. Barbara continued her pivotal role in 1992 by accompanying the team to the Barcelona Olympics and supported the induction of Ric Charlesworth when he joined as head coach in 1993.

Linda Hunter (QLD)
Linda Hunter's enduring dedication to hockey spans a diverse array of roles and responsibilities across her career. She has excelled as a player, umpire, technical official, coach, and administrator at both state and national levels, including her notable involvement with FIH World Masters Hockey.

From 2010 to 2023, Linda made significant contributions to Hockey Queensland, serving in various capacities such as selector, coach, organising committee member, and official. Her coaching achievements extend to guiding several Australian Women’s Masters teams to success in Trans-Tasman Challenges, Tours, and World Cups.

In recognition of her expertise and commitment, Linda was appointed to the FIH World Masters Hockey Events Committee in 2022. In this role, she plays a pivotal part in coordinating all international Masters Indoor and Outdoor Events, further solidifying her impact on the global stage of hockey.