Bob Claxton receives Life Membership of Oceania Hockey

Devoted, astute and long serving hockey advocate and servant Bob Claxton has been awarded Life Membership of the Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF).

Life Membership is the most prestigious award bestowed on an individual by the OHF.

As outlined in the OHF selection criteria for Life Membership, consideration for the honour is based on ‘any person whose services to the organisation of Oceania Hockey is agreed to have been sufficiently meritorious over a sustained period of time’.

Claxton’s nomination was endorsed by the OHF Executive Board at today’s Annual General Meeting.

This latest recognition of Claxton, whose involvement in hockey spans over some 65 years, comes after he became a Life Member of Hockey Australia in 2020.

“This is wonderful acknowledgement of someone who has done so much for hockey in Australia and just as notably in our neighbouring Pacific countries,” said Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles.

“On behalf of the Hockey Australia Board and everyone involved in the sport in Australia, I congratulate Bob and thank him for his dedication and passion to grow the game of hockey and the wide ranging benefits that come with it.”

“Hockey across Oceania is blessed to have people like Bob and it is terrific that the OHF has this way of recognising and celebrating the achievements of these people.”

Claxton has been Secretary General of OHF for 15 years and been instrumental and a proven innovator over this time.

Part of the lead management team of the OHF for many years, Claxton has been a mentor to all island teams and played a key role the hockey development of the Oceania nations, including in the officiating area.

Claxton has been a recipient of the FIH Presidents award for services to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and OHF. He is also the father of current Hockeyroo Jane Claxton.