Legends celebrated at Hall of Champions, Award of Merit and Life Member awards

Players, coaches, officials and volunteers in WA hockey were recognised for their enormous contribution to the sport in Western Australia in the Hockey WA Hall of Champions, Award of Merit and Life Member Ceremony.

This year, the ceremony, held at the Western Australian Golf Club, saw 22 inductees receive these significant awards – many of whom have dedicated most of their lives to the betterment of the sport in Western Australia.

Ten legends entered WA’s Hall of Champions this year, with Tom Bedells, John Bestall, Lee Capes, Sally Carbon OAM, Greg Corbitt, Janice Davidson, Dean Evans, Bevan George, Karen Marsden OAM and Kobie McGurk all immortalised through Hockey WA’s highest honour.

Richard Aggiss, Chairperson of the Hockey Australia Hall of Champions Committee, shared his delight on being able to honour the legends’ dedication to Western Australian Hockey.

“The ten new inductees into Hockey WA Hall of Champions join an elite group of players, coaches and umpires who over the decades have made an incredible contribution to hockey in WA,” Aggiss said.

“They have all reached the pinnacle of hockey in WA and Australia and have earned and deserved this recognition.”

Hall of Champions Chairperson for WA, Lee Abbott, said this year’s award recipients’ efforts were inspirational.

“The Hall of Champions function was a fantastic celebration and recognition of the commitment of many amazing people who have made a huge contribution to hockey in Western Australia, nationally and internationally,” Abbott said.

“All of the award recipients this year are so inspirational due to their commitment to making hockey bigger and better for WA players, whether it’s through grassroots within clubs, or through Hockey WA Committees and other roles.

“The gathering of some of the greats in WA hockey and their families, along with existing Life Members of Hockey WA, saw many old and new friends catching up sharing stories at a wonderful event.”

Six dedicated WA hockey stalwarts received an Award of Merit, with Julie Branley, Dorothy Hawkes, David Horsley, Colin Howell, Stuart Lamont and Janine Tate all recognised for years of service in playing, coaching, officiating and volunteering roles across Hockey WA and clubland.

Gordon Getley, John Leece, Nicola Ogden, Don Smart and Ceri Writer were inducted as Life Members of hockey in Western Australia – all receiving the acknowledgement for their outstanding service to the sport.

Hockey WA CEO Fabian Ross acknowledged each award recipients’ phenomenal dedication.

“The Hall of Champions, Award of Merit and Life Member function truly is one of the most special occasions on the Hockey WA calendar, as it allows us to celebrate significant achievements and hard work to the betterment of hockey in WA,” Ross said.

“From everyone at Hockey WA, we thank each award recipient for their ongoing passion and dedication to serving our great sport here in Western Australia and congratulations on a wonderful achievement.”

The full list of award recipients and their achievements is below.

2022 Award of Merit

Julie Branley

Julie has an extensive playing, umpiring and coaching history in hockey. Julie started her hockey career in Burracoppin, progressing to Willetton Hockey Club and finishing at Curtin Trinity Pirates (Curtin University Hockey Club). Her coaching experience extends to men and women regional A-Grade, metropolitan Premier League, State Masters and the elite Bevan George Cup - her growing record has her currently with 13 premierships. Off the field, Julie is a long-standing administrator to club executive and Hockey WA committees. Julie's impeccable understanding of governance has made her a continued resource of Hockey WA with her roles on the Rules and Linear Model Committee. Julie is a Life Member of Burracoppin Hockey Club and Curtin University Hockey Club.

Dorothy Hawkes

Dorothy was a pioneer in the regions - driving growth and opportunities in each regional area she touched. As a junior player, Dorothy formed a team in Margaret River with mums and daughters from the dairy farming community. Dorothy’s regional footprint not only included the South West, but also the Great Southern. After moving to Ongerup and realising there was no association, Dorothy formed the Ongerup Hockey Association with the help of Hockey WA President at the time, Pat Goodridge. Shortly after, a move to Wundowie saw Dorothy form juniors' teams to compete in Northam. Dorothy moved to Perth in 1982, joining Surf Hockey Club, where she coached juniors and managed local teams for over 18 seasons. Dorothy was an avid umpire, achieving her WA umpire badge. She umpired premier, senior and junior games.

David Horsley

David has a long-standing association with hockey. Whilst living in Bunbury, he served on multiple committees. He received the South West Sportsman of the Year Award for his contribution to hockey and cricket. This talent saw David represent his state in both sports. David had a stint in Port Hedland on committees and umpiring, before moving to Kalgoorlie. David played a key role in the formation of Pegasus Hockey Club, which is now a large and successful club. He was President and held other executive positions in the Goldfields Hockey Association. David's contribution in Kalgoorlie saw him receive Life Membership of Pegasus Hockey Club and Goldfields Hockey Association. David continues his involvement with hockey to this day, particularly in the Masters community - he is a Life Member of Australian Masters Hockey and WA Country Masters Hockey.

Colin Howell

Colin has been collating data from the Hockey WA archives and the Beattie Library for Hockey in Western Australia. His commitment to research and data has this library full of rich information, collating results and goal scorers for each game - some dating back to 1950s. Colin's research extends to the men's and women's first division teams of YMCC and he is a YMCC life member. Colin in the past has been a Hockey WA Board Member, YMCC Board Member, as well as sitting on the Hockey WA Masters and Elite Performance Committees. Colin is an administrator, player and coach. His playing experience includes Junior State Representative Teams, Seniors, and now Masters.

Stuart Lamont

Stuart was the founder of Xavier Hockey Club in 1980 and was the first President for the club, continuing in this role for four years. Stuart remained on the Executive Committee until the club amalgamated in 1987 with Victoria Park Hockey Club. During his tenure, he fulfilled the role of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer over an impressive 30 years. Stuart has been an active Life Member of Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club since 2000. He was presented the Town of Victoria Park Australia Day Award in 2016 and the Hockey WA Gold Service Award in 2015. Stuart’s contribution to hockey has seen him take on Hockey WA Committee roles, as well as many sub-committee roles for WAHA and HWA. Not only a strong administrator and club stalwart, Stuart received his first-grade umpire badge, attending six National Championships between 1984 - 1993.

Janine Tate

Janine is passionate about hockey, despite never playing, but has a strong connection to the game via her dad Peter Bruce’s time playing at Fremantle as Janine was growing up. Janine is a committed member of multiple Hockey WA Committees and currently sits on the Junior Committee Advisory Group and the Indoor Advisory Group.  Janine has taken on the role of Team Manager for Outdoor and Indoor State teams, Ric Charlesworth Classic teams and Premier League teams. Janine has an outstanding volunteer CV at Melville City Hockey Club - she is a Life Member and has taken on previously the role of Vice President Juniors, Assistant VP Juniors, Junior Committee Member, Assistant Club Secretary, Club Secretary, Social Media Manager and Assistant Registrar.

2022 Life Members

Gordon Getley

Gordon showcased his commitment as an umpire for 44 years. Awarded his state umpiring badge in 1958, he adjudicated State League from 1963-1987 and had 13 finals appearances, and National Championships from 1971-1982 with six finals appearances. Gordon's qualifications evolved to an Australian badge in 1969, international badge in 1973 and international grade 1 in 1979. Gordon's international appointments included a NZ international tour, pre-Olympic tournament, and Manning Cup Series. In addition to on field performance, Gordon was the chairperson of WAHA for six years. Gordon accumulated close to 300 State League umpiring appearances.

John Leece

John made an outstanding contribution to the advancement, development, and promotion of sport in Western Australia.  He was always available for extra coaching and advice on the field or on the phone. He provided constant feedback to players about their game and was also happy to lend his equipment to members of his group to enable them to improve their skills at home. John’s commitment was total – come rain or shine, come sickness, come health, for 61 years he unfailingly and selflessly served the hockey fraternity of Western Australia, motivating and inspiring them to develop and maintain a healthy interest in hockey and sport. The results of John’s teaching speak for themselves. John started his own training group, which focused on individual skills and coaching, and was conducted free of charge to all interested players, irrespective of ability or age. Training took place one evening a week all year round. John was a WAWHA satellite coach for five years for state development squads. John was a recipient of the Reg Goodridge Award for Services to WA hockey. In 2011, John was presented The Western Australian 50 Year Volunteer Service Badge as appreciation and acknowledgement of his voluntary services to the sport of hockey. In 2016, John was awarded the Hockey Australia Award of Merit.

Nicola Ogden

Most recently awarded the Hockey Australia Level 3 Technical Officer qualification, Nicola's officiating experience is second to none. She is a current international, national and state level Technical Official, having just returned from Bunbury, officiating the women's Australia v China match. Nicola's appointments extend to tournament director roles for Hockey Australia and Hockey WA, judge roles at the FIH Pro League and international test matches, and taking on a role within the technology team at the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Nicola's involvement in the Masters community, both nationally and internationally, has seen her travel afar. Nicola has led World Grand Masters, Trans-Tasman Masters and Masters Hockey World Cups in Europe and Australia. Nicola is the current chair of the Hockey WA Officiating Advisory Group and has held this position since 2017. Nicola's achievements include, Hockey WA Service to Officiating Award winner 2018, Hockey WA Volunteer of the Year in 2011, and Life Membership of Melville City Hockey Club.

Don Smart

A left-winger or left-side striker, Don ranks with Australia’s most skillful players - a fact confirmed early in his career when he made an auspicious international debut by scoring a goal in the first 20 seconds of play against New Zealand in 1961. Smart appeared in almost 100 international matches and three Olympic hockey tournaments, winning a bronze medal in 1964 in Tokyo and a silver medal in Mexico City in 1968. He also played in the inaugural World Cup tournament in Barcelona in 1971. The compactly built Smart had exceptional pace over the first five meters. He was also able to weave a path through opposing defences with deft stick work, and finish off attacking moves with powerful shots at goal. At Western Australian level, Smart represented the State in the Schoolboy Teams of 1956 and 1957, the Colts in 1960 and then the Seniors from 1961-68 and again in 1970 and 1975. National commitments kept him out of the WA side in the other years. He was instrumental in helping WA win seven of the nine Senior Australian Championship Carnivals in which he played. WA were runners-up in the other two.

Ceri Writer

Ceri's hockey career started in 1981 with Bayswater Morley Men's Hockey Cub. This 30-year commitment saw Ceri sitting in many executive roles and hands on as the Newsletter Editor, Canteen Coordinator, Bar Manager, Minkey Coach and Coordinator. In 1988 she won the inaugural Outstanding Club Person Award, and twice thereafter. Ceri held several Hockey WA executive positions and played an influential role in the amalgamation of WAHA and WAWHA. The merger was a success and Ceri was elected as the first president of Hockey WA. Her contribution to Hockey WA Committees includes on PHS/Stadium, Juniors, Country, Masters, Officiating, Tribunal and Awards and Recognition Commitees. Ceri's commitment to hockey was also on field - she is an accomplished Technical Director and Official taking on roles internationally and nationally.

2023 Hockey Australia Hall of Fame

Rachel Dwyer (nee Imison) OAM

Rachel debuted on 1 May 1997 against New Zealand, the country of her birth and 207 international matches later, the goalkeeper was an Olympic gold medallist, triple Olympian (2000, 2004, 2008), three-time Champions Trophy winner and dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist, among other accolades. Her standout tournament was arguably the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where she was a wall on the last line of defence as the Hockeyroos conceded just five goals in eight games on their way to gold. Her on field performances and off field demeanour and professionalism has made her a role model for many aspiring Australian goalkeepers. Rachel retired from international hockey in 2008. 

2022 Hall of Champions

Tom Bedells

Tom was affectionately known as “the Major “ and umpired accordingly. Tom was highly regarded by all players and umpired with authority and a great understanding of the rules. Tom umpired for  WA hockey between 1948 and 1975, many of those years at A-grade level in Perth, and he regularly umpired finals and grand finals. Tom umpired for many years at interstate championships and received his Australian umpires Badge in 1950. Mainly through lack of opportunity to umpire due to scarcity of international matches in Australia, Tom didn’t receive his International Badge until 1962 and his Class One International Badge until 1964. Tom was selected to umpire at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, where he umpired five matches and the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City where he umpired in six matches. Tom umpired 25 international matches which was an outstanding achievement, especially given he lived in Perth and there was a lack of international hockey in Australia during this era. A wonderful umpire, considered by many to be amongst WA ‘s greatest umpires, Tom was a true gentleman and is remembered by all who knew him.

John Bestall

John was highly competitive and used his speed, powerful hitting and tackling skills to unsettle opposition forwards. John played for WA and the Thundersticks for 12 years between 1981 and 1992, scoring many goals from his powerful penalty corner hitting. John made his debut for Australia in 1984 against the USA in Los Angeles and went on to play 80 international matches between 1984 and 1992  and scored 18 goals - none more important than the goal he scored in the gold medal match against England in the 1986 World Cup victory. John was a reserve for the 1984 Olympic Team in Los Angeles and was flown to LA to be on standbye due to injury concerns for Jim Irvine. John never made the team in LA, but four years later played in the Olympic Team in the 1988 in Seoul. John was selected in the 1992 Olympic team in Barcelona, winning a silver medal. John played in six Champions Trophy tournaments.

Lee Capes

Lee was a speedy, skillful forward that drove the WA state team to many successes in the 10 years she played for WA at National Championships, commencing in 1984. Lee made her debut for the Hockeyroos in Amsterdam against the USA in 1985 and went on to play 93 international matches between 1985 and 1991. Lee made headlines at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul with her goal in the gold medal match – something she is immensely proud of. Lee won a silver medal at the 1990 World Cup in Sydney and played in four Champions Trophy Teams. Lee was inducted into the WAIS Hall of Champions Team category.

Sally Carbon OAM

Another of the very quick and elusive forwards that played for the WA state team for 10 years, Sally was first selected for WA in 1984 and then every year between 1987 and 1995. In 1987, Sally made her debut for the Hockeyroos against South Korea and went on to earn 119 international Caps. Selected in two Olympic teams 1988 and 1992, and a member of the famous gold medal team of 1988, Sally also played in two World Cup teams, winning silver in Sydney in 1990 and gold in Dublin in 1994. Sally was a member of the team that was Inducted into WAIS Hall of Champions Team category.

Greg Corbitt

Greg played for the WA State Team and Thundersticks for 12 years between 1988 and 1999 . His passing skills were exceptional and made more dangerous because of his ability to hit the ball hard and flat, but it was his goal scoring ability that caught people’s attention from a very young age. Greg is second only to Greg Browning from Queensland as the youngest player to debut for Australia, when he was selected to play against New Zealand in Hobart in 1988. Greg was still at school when asked to join the injury ridden Kookaburras team and announced his arrival in international hockey by scoring a goal in his first international. Greg went on to play 111 International matches, scoring 55 goals – a scoring conversion rate up there with the very best goal scorers. Greg played in the 1992 Olympic Team in Barcelona, winning a silver medal, the World Cup in 1990 in Pakistan where the team won a bronze medal and again in the 1994 World Cup in Sydney – again a bronze medal.

Janice Davidson (nee Bell)

Janice was an adept forward with speed to eliminate opposing defenders. Janice played for WA for eight years between 1974 and 1981 and for Australia for six years. She made her Australian debut in 1978 against New Zealand, played in the World Cup in Vancouver in 1979 and a year later was selected in the 1980 Olympic Games Team for Moscow. Tragically, the boycott on those Olympics by hockey robbed Janice of the opportunity to play in an Olympic Team with her sister Marian.

Dean Evans

From an early age, Dean was a highly talented half back with excellent elimination skills, and his tackling in deep defence became a corner stone of his play at both state and international level. First selected for WA in 1985, Dean played for his state for nine years. In 1985, Dean made his debut for Australia in Perth against England and went on to play for eight years despite several setbacks to his career due to injury. Such was his talent, Dean was selected in the World Cup Team in 1986 that went on to win Australia’s first gold medal at a World Cup. Dean was selected in the 1988 Olympic Team for Seoul but was replaced due to injury. Four years later in 1992 at the Barcelona Olympics, he played a prominent role in the team winning a silver medal. Dean played in his second World Cup Team in 1990, with the team winning Bronze. He retired having played 80 international matches. Injury robbed Dean of achieving the heights many thought he would achieve.

Bevan George OAM

From Narrogin, Bevan is widely regarded as one of the best fullbacks to play for WA and Australia. He made his debut for the Thundersticks in 1997 and played for the state for 15 years. Bevan made his debut for the Kookaburras in 1999 against Germany in Darwin and went on to play 208 International matches between, scoring 13 goals. His illustrious career included being a member of the gold medal team at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and winning a bronze medal in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics, when he was team captain. Bevan played in two World Cups in 2002 and 2006, winning a bronze medal and silver medal and as well as two Commonwealth Games gold medals in 2002 and 2006. Bevan was inducted into WAIS Hall of Fame in 2018.

Karen Marsden OAM

Karen’s height, skills and good anticipation made her a formidable figure in goals for both the WA State Team and the Hockeyroos. Karen’s career spanned 10 years in goal for WA between 1987 and 1996, and six years for the Hockeyroos spanning the period 1991 and 1996. Karen made he debut for the Hockeyroos in Hobart against South Korea and went on to play 68 international matches and was a member of the all- conquering Hockeyroos gold medal team at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Karen also played in the gold medal World Cup Team in Dublin in 1994.

Kobie McGurk

A very skillful, highly competitive defender, Kobie had the rare distinction of being in the Hockeyroos team every year of her State Team representation. Upon her retirement in 2013, Kobie had played for nine years in the WA State Team between 2005 and 2013. She made her debut for the Hockeyroos in 2005 against the USA at Virginia Beach. She went on to play 185 International matches, competing in two Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. Kobie played in the World Cup in 2006 in Madrid, winning a silver medal, and the World Cup in 2010 in Buenos Aries. Kobie played in the gold medal-winning team at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 in Melbourne.