The Kingscliff Women’s Hockey Club won its first premiership in 1966 – the second year after joining the Tweed District Women’s Hockey Association.
A few years later, the women’s and men’s clubs combined and on Saturday, May 26, at 6.30pm players and officials will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club. The function will be held at the Cudgen Leagues Club, from 6.30pm.
Queensland Hockey representation, Lyn Gilmore, who played with the Saxons Club in the Tweed women’s competition, was instrumental in forming the women’s team.
With a bundle of enthusiasm and energy, she coached the first Kingscliff team in B grade in 1965, while still playing with the Saxons Club. A friend and fellow player, Margaret Blaney, assisted with coaching.
The Kingscliff team was upgraded to A reserve grade when Lyn became player-coach the following year and took the team on to win the premiership.
At a celebratory dinner, the captain coach made presentations for Best and Fairest to Andra Schipp; and Gwen Allen (Reisenweber), Helen Kirchener (Wells) and June Davey also received trophies. Likewise Lyn was presented with a gift for her expert coaching.
These original teams owe a debt to Lyn. As a Queensland representative player, she took the opportunity to become an A grade referee, allowing her to “ref” at State level as well as in the local competitions.
She happily recalls the year during her representative years that Queensland took the trophy from Western Australia who had held a dominance in the competition for 17 years.
Four members of the original teams have passed away, including Andra Schippp, Sue Bilson, June Duncan and Margaret Voss. Merv Edwards, who is the “father” of the Kingscliff club, lost his daughter Robyn.
If you plan to attend the dinner, please email your RSVP to Ross Salmon (Phone 5524 6204) or kingscliffhockey@gmail.com.
Story: Marion Walsham
