UWA Hockey Club to celebrate Centenary
Published Thu 11 Apr 2024
UWA Hockey Club is preparing to celebrate 100 years in 2024, with a newly laid Astroturf marking the start of a year of planned activities for the club.
Founded in 1924, UWAHC is now the biggest club in WA, with 24 senior teams and 24 junior teams in 2023, and an additional 290 players participating in the J1-4 competition. University Associates (Soaks) fielded 16 teams last year.
The youngest playing UWAHC member was born in 2019 and the oldest playing member was born in 1948.
UWA Hockey Club President Chris Webster said the Centenary presents an opportunity for the club to reflect on its rich history, and success both on and off the field.
To mark the occasion, the club has released Centenary merchandise, including a playing kit for the 2024 1st and 2nd division teams, designed by the current players and inspired by uniforms throughout the club’s history.
“Our Centenary year is a great time to reflect on the past and the tapestry of stories that make our club what it is today,” Webster said.
“We’ve achieved an incredible amount over the last 100 years. Our premier teams’ uniforms are a throwback to the 1990s which was a great decade of success for us with premierships in 1990 (women), 1992 and 1993 (men), 1994 (women) and 1995 (men). As a kid I remember the yellow numbers, the distinctive green and blues, and the characters that were part of those teams. What better way to add to the centenary festivities than by bringing back an iconic strip for a new generation.”
A Centenary Gala Dinner is scheduled to be held on Friday 14th June, along with a Centenary Club Day on Saturday 15th June.
UWAHC Patron and Federal Minister for Resources, the Hon Madeleine King, who has been a club member since 1991 and currently plays for University Associates, congratulated the club on the huge milestone.
“I am so pleased and proud to be the patron of the UWA Hockey Club in its Centenary Year,” King said.
“For 100 years, this great club has not only fostered many of the best Australian hockey players, it has been a place where countless enduring friendships began, and have continued throughout the decades of playing hockey and living and laughing through our lives, together.
“Congratulations UWA Hockey! The great green machine!”
In 1920, the newly formed University of WA Sports Council discussed the formation of a women’s hockey club at its first meeting on 23 April 1920. It wasn’t until 6 March 1924, however that the club was formed and authorised by the University Sports Council.
University Sports Council Minutes reflect notices from the WA Mens Hockey Association looking to attract male hockey players in 1927. The University Men’s Hockey Club was officially formed in 1929 after an application for affiliation to the Sports Council was submitted on 3 May.
The two clubs came together in 1988.
The Centenary year events and celebrations are volunteer run. If you’re able to offer any assistance, please get in touch at UWAHC100@uwahockey.org.au.
