Saturday, October 06, 2012
HOCKEY - THEY don’t do it for glory although success is sweet.
They don’t do it for pride although they are proud to be involved.
They don’t do it for themselves although they get plenty of personal satisfaction from it.
They do it for love.
And the decades of love two local stalwarts have given hockey over many decades were rewarded with the inaugural Bramwell Pharmacy Poverty Bay player of the year honours.
Lytton Old Boys and former Caledonia stalwart Buck Rogers fittingly won the men’s title and Margaret Torrie was a popular winner of the women’s award at Poverty Bay Hockey Association’s prizegiving.
Rogers has been playing and coaching for over 35 years.
“He is a great mentor for our youth, as well as a coach, umpire and a fair player on and off the field,” said association publicity officer Tony Scragg.
Rogers had a “finals day” to remember. Not only did his Eastland Trader Lytton Old Boys A team win the men’s title, he was coach of the Lytton High team who collected back-to-back secondary school crowns.
Former Kia Toa nd Paikea player Torrie, now with GMC Gold, has been involved in the game for over 40 years.
She started at Elgin School, was selected for Poverty Bay while still at Gisborne Girls’ High, then went on to Kia Toa. She played in Rotorua for four years, for Burleigh Bobcats on Australia’s Gold Coast before returning home to play and manage Paikea alongside sister Annie.
Torrie has also coached a Gisborne Girls’ High side for five years and has been a selfless volunteer for the association, including the successful Dancing With The Stars fundraising venture.
Like a typically modest supporter, she plays down her contribution.
“My little contribution is nothing compared to what many others do to keep hockey a great sport for young and old to play.
“Getting this award was a huge surprise as I just do what I love . . . play and coach hockey and enjoy a beer and a laugh with friends.”
As well as the team trophies, individual silverware was presented to players and officials at the prizegiving.
The Lynne Tupara cup for top women’s goal-scorer went to Julie Mulligan (YMP) who netted 20 goals and edged out GMC duo Emily Willock and Shannon Williams on 18.
Maija-lee Gooch was awarded the Administrator Plate for her work as the PBHA secretary. Despite being a new mother, Gooch has gone out of her way to do the usual secretary duties along with extra jobs outside the normal scope of her role.
The Upshot Memorial for commitment to sport by an under 16 boy or girl was awarded to Dion Gardner, who as well as being a member of the senior champion LOB Prems side, helps coach Riverdale primary sides and umpires Saturday morning games.
The Neil Hopps Memorial for overall achievement went to Jo Cummings who has been running classes to develop junior umpires in the Poverty Bay region.
Cummings and another local umpire, Amber Church, officiated the National Hockey League women’s playoff for third, and was named most valuable umpire of the NHL.
Poverty Bay Hockey Association chairman Max Malcolm paid tribute to the countless hours put in by volunteers to help run junior and senior hockey over winter.
This year PBHA has aligned with Central hockey with the aim to provide young players with more opportunities to further their careers and create better pathways to national selection.
The association’s AGM is next month and with it being a re-election year the PBHA is always looking for people who can give up their time and experience to give back to the game in an administration role.
As part of the AGM the association will run a planning session to look at the future direction of the hockey in the district. The turf development at Nelson Road remains a key focus over summer.