Vale Sandy Pisani OAM

Hockey Australia is mourning the passing of adored former Hockeyroo and dual Olympian Sandy Pisani who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 63.

A member of Australian hockey’s inaugural Olympic gold medal winning team at the 1988 Games in Seoul, Sandy made 85 appearances for the Hockeyroos between 1981 and 1988.

Sandy was the 296th player capped for the Hockeyroos. The South Australian made her debut on 27 March 1981 against Austria at the World Cup in Buenos Aires alongside fellow debutants Adele Boyce, Lorraine Hillas and Janette McCleod.

She also competed at the 1984 Olympics, where the Hockeyroos finished an unlucky fourth. A respected leader and team player, Sandy captained the Hockeyroos from 1985 to 1986, including at the 1986 World Cup in Amsterdam.

Following her retirement from international hockey, Sandy received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1989 for her Service to hockey.

While she may have hung up her stick on the international playing arena, Sandy remained involved in hockey at the highest level as National Head Selector for the Hockeyroos from 1993-2000. During this period the Hockeyroos enjoyed huge success in what would become known as the Golden Generation of Australian women’s hockey.

A club legend at the Burnside Hockey Club, Sandy was also a successful coach at various local clubs and a strong devotee to South Australian hockey in general, including at State level.

Her impact and contribution to the sport, particularly in her home state of South Australia, is recognised through her being a Life Member of Hockey SA and she was also inducted into the SA Sport Hall of Fame in 2015.

Hockey Australia sends its deep condolences to Sandy’s partner Mike Turtur, daughter Elli, extended family, former teammates and all those who were blessed to know her.

Upon Sandy’s passing, Mike and Elli issued the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened to advise that our beautiful Sandy, has passed away early this morning surrounded by her loving family. Sandy has fought tirelessly and in true competitive spirit for more than two years until her very last breath. She loved her family and friends with great passion and heart, fiercely loyal and feisty, compassionate and kind, we will cherish all of our special memories and times shared in our hearts forever. We appreciate the love and support bestowed upon us by our family, close friends and both the hockey and cycling fraternity at this incredibly difficult time. We ask for privacy as we grieve the loss of our partner, mother, sister, aunty, cousin, and friend to many.”