Rachel Dwyer joins Hockey Australia Awards Committee

The Hockey Australia Awards Committee has a new member with the addition of highly respected Hockeyroo and Hall of Fame inductee Rachel Dwyer (nee Imison).

The triple Olympian, Olympic gold medallist, three-time Champions Trophy winner and dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist was announced as one of Hockey Australia’s latest Hall of Fame inductees back in February.

Dwyer, who heralds from Victoria and now resides in Perth, agreed to join the HA Awards Committee after being approached and invited by Committee Chair, former Australian Coach Richard Aggiss.

Dwyer was publicly acknowledged and presented with a frame for her induction into the HA Hall of Fame at a function at Perth Hockey Stadium as part of he Hockeyroos' series against China. She will replace long serving member Wendy Pritchard who decided to step down at the end of 2022 after ten years on the committee.

“Wendy’s decade long contribution was enormous and her experience and knowledge about hockey players and people in Australia will be hard to replace,” said Aggiss.

“However, we are delighted to have someone of Rachel’s knowledge of the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras, particularly during her decade playing for Australia, joining the committee.

“Her input and consideration will be invaluable.”

Dwyer’s inclusion is part of a succession plan that will eventually see a new and younger committee, according to Aggiss.

"I am honoured to be part of the Awards Committee and hope to use my experience to give back to the hockey community that has been such an integral part of my life,” said Dwyer.

“I welcome the opportunity to play a part in recognising and celebrating the contributions of so many people in our amazing Australian hockey community.”

The HA Awards Committee comprises Aggiss (Chair), Dwyer, long serving Australian junior and senior selector John McKinnon, and former international and Olympic umpire Peri Buckley.

The Awards Committee meets twice a year. The first meeting is usually in late March to discuss possible Life Members and Award of Merit nominations put forward by the State and Territory Member Associations. The final nominees then go to the Hockey Australia Board for ratification and then to the Hockey Australia AGM for final approval.

The second meeting occurs in late September to put forward possible nominations for the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame and Sport Australia Hall of Fame ahead of the final HA Council meeting of the year.

Aside from the two scheduled meetings, the Awards Committee spends considerable time in weeks leading up to meetings researching those who have devoted a huge part of their life to hockey in Australia.