Hockey legend notches 100 not out

Australian hockey legend Madonna Blyth adds to her long list of achievements this weekend, becoming the first Hale women’s player to record 100 Premier League matches for her club Hale.

Blyth, a back-to-back Charlesworth Medallist in 2017 and 2018, competed in three Olympic Games and is the most-capped Hockeyroo of all time, with 342 appearances and 70 goals – and is regarded for having an on-field focus that’s second to none. It’s something she's brought in spades to her captain-coach role at Hale.

Hale President Clayton Arnold: “I said to my son, if you want to see the most focused player on the field it’s Madonna – she’s something else,” Arnold says.

“She’s so fierce.”

After a brief stint as a draft pick in 2005, Blyth returned to Hale in 2017 to lead the newly promoted 1s side in a Player/Coach capacity- an appointment that has seen the side not only hold its own, but reach two Premier League Grand Finals.

“Madonna actually retired in my store (Dankz Furniture) when she was doing a promotional photo shoot with Hockey Australia,” Arnold says.

“My marketing guru Paul Graham put it to her that she could be our player-coach then and, after a dinner at Punjab restaurant down the road, the rest is history. It was the same month we got promoted.

“She told me also a few years ago she loves coaching in the moment – it’s so clear to her and she loves it.

“She’s one of those ones when we were struggling with injuries she finds wonderful solutions. Last year that was Blackstick and star cricket player Sophie Devine – Madonna knows her of course. Sophie rocked down and played the season with us – normal people can’t make that happen.”

For Blyth, she’s thrilled at her deep involvement in the club and, at 36, shows no signs of slowing down.

“It’s really exciting [to record 100 games for Hale],” Blyth says.

“When I first moved to Perth I was drafted to Hale and then asked to go back there.

“I feel like I’ve been Hale for a long time

“It’s one of those places that feels like home – good team, good mates, and we’re all very well supported by the club. They can’t do enough for myself and the girls.

“I’ll just keep going while I’m enjoying it.”

Clubs from around the state are invited to send player milestones to Hockey WA - send us your details, with a minimum of two weeks' notice, to media@hockeywa.org.au