PETER JANCZYK (P.J.)

The contents of this document have been compiled with the assistance of many past and some present Rockingham Districts Hockey Club members. I have endeavored to research the origins of the women and men�s club prior to amalgamation in 1978.

I have been considering writing this document for many years, as I believe the heritage of this fine club needs to be preserved for the benefit of the future of hockey in the Rockingham District. Current as well as past members have supplied much needed information to make this document as precise as possible and for those of you who have contributed, I thank you.

Sifting through the information brought back a flood of memories and made me realise just how many people I have had the privilege of meeting and sharing the love of hockey with through my 28 year association with this club. I firmly believe that if the almagalmation of the men and women�s club in 1978 had not eventuated, there would not be a hockey club in Rockingham today.

It would be remiss of me not to mention that the amalgamation between our club and the Navy (Fleet Base West) has brought constant talent and resources to this club over the years that has served to make the club stronger each year.

I joined this club in 1970 or there abouts. In those days it was just a ladies club playing hockey on Sunday mornings from as far away as Dwellingup to Kwinana. We had a lot of fun times with barbeques after matches on the Shoalwater oval.

When we ran out of cakes to auction we raffled off the younger members, my husband winning little, very embarrassed, Liz Polini. Along with the good times we had the usual trouble with who was going to play in what team and who was going to umpire.

My husband, Gordon, got this doubtful job most Sundays and consequently the Sunday lunch table was a battle ground of �wrong decision�. My memory fails me but it may have been around 1975 when the men joined forces, bringing with them many new members and many new debts. High hurdles were overcome and we gained in strength in many ways. We were no longer dismissed by our local shire as a minor sporting body. We grew rapidly in the next few years, but alas, lost a few girls over the next season or so as they became mums and the men became workbound, or age caught up with us.

Although we began the season a little shaky, we are now looking forward to all sorts of good things such as joining with the cricket club (within the next three years) and eventually having grounds with a club room with function rooms and canteen/bar and all the amenities to call our "home of Rocky Hockey".

The Rockingham Ladies hockey club was formed in 1969, when Laurel Carter gathered a team together. The club eventually expanded to three teams with the home ground at Shoalwater Oval. Players for that first match were, Jean Ritchie (who broke a bone in her hand in the first game), Laurel Carter, Jan Smith, Jan�s two daughters, Allison and Helen, (Helen being only 10 at the time was thought to be too small to be endangering the legs of the more senior ladies), Lynette, Rosalie and Marilyn Earnshaw made up the rest of the team.

Mr George Earnshaw, father of the last three mentioned girls was coach and mentor and the team played the �old rules� remembered by so few today, the roll in from the sideline, 25 line bully, and the centre bully.

Games were played on Sunday mornings and opposing teams came from as far south as Dwellingup and North to Kwinana. During those early years there were many social gatherings and scratch matches, where husbands played wives and when raffle prizes were exhausted, a husband was raffled. Gordon, (you know who) after umpiring many games at a carnival on Shoalwater oval, was won in the raffle by a very embarrassed Liz (then) Pollini at a following barbeque.

We had some notable locals coaching us in those days, ie George Earnshaw, Dr. Bert England and Mike Barnett. Later Dr. Bob Warner was that �voice� from the sideline.

The men�s hockey club was formed after an advertisement in the local paper inserted by Laurie Doncon and Terry Tate, who were the instigators of their first team. The first meeting was well attended and a team was formed of, Terry Tate, Laurie Doncon, Pat Adlam, Ken Byfield, Bob Steer, Ron Chaplin, Rod Vernon, Marty Cappleman, Derek Jones, Ray Lillig, Joe Vasilauskis.

They played in the Murray Districts competition against teams from, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey. Some primitive grounds in those days resulted in players dribbling the ball into cow dung then hitting it as the opponent tackled. The resulting adornment of cow dung on the uniform at least distracted the flies from the barbeque following the match.

In 1974 the men joined W.A.H.A. and excelled into the ensuing years, winning the Guth Ardarth pennants and making grand final appearances on several occassions.

1978 saw the ladies and men�s clubs join forces and grow to more than 100 members. The men were finally after some years granted a home ground on the Rockingham Oval.

The ladies played in the Murray Districts Association until the Coastal Districts Association was formed. Then in 1980, a team of dedicated players went to the metro to try their skills and succeeded in bringing home premierships in the following three years. A grand effort.

Tim Pyne was a fine coach and a great asset to the club. A shame to lose him to Gosnells.

In recent years the club has fielded teams for many ages, under 13 boys, under 15 boys, under 16 girls, under 19 young men, under 17 boys and the Reserve Green Men�s side. This was our finest hour.

This year we were not so fortunate and lost the grand finals in the men�s sides, but the Coastal Districts ladies won their grand final after extra time and strokes. The under 16 girls also come home with the winning shield.

The future hopes of the club include more spacious and modern clubrooms and the plans are with the Shire. With a home to come back to at the end of each match for a chat and a drink, our social life will improve and so will our finances. We are a club to be proud of so stand tall for ROCKY HOCKEY!

�An oldie�, Pam Ford joined the club in 1970 and has been an active member each year since. Was awarded Life Membership in 1982 and has held every office since joining.

AS TOLD BY PETER JANCZYK (ALIAS P.J. 2001)

LIFE MEMBERS

Marty CAPPLEMAN

Terry TATE

Rhonda FORD

Pam FORD

Laurel CARTER

Dave ELLIOT

Alan MILLS

Joy KLINK

Geoff HAWKINS

Sid CZABOTAR

VALE

Mark GRAVETT

Bill FORD

Ken BYFIELD

PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS

Adair Mike

Adams Ben

Agars Rob

Allen Mark

Allen Kevin

Alberti Brad

Amos Geoff

Arthur Ray

Appleby Rick

Aston Jeromy

Aston Richard

Atwell Peter

Austin Richard

Avery Glen

Bashford Ray

Barnett Martin

Baird David

Baudains Phil

Bauld John

Banks Paul

Baron Niall

Battley C

Balkin Sean

Baxter Keith

Bentley Heath

Beckman Rob

Bell Graham

Black Ashley

Blyth Gordon

Bray Ian

Bray Pat

Brettmaster Chris

Cameron Mark

Carroll Dave

Casas Phil

Capps Ron

Carlin Brendon

Carlin Simon

Chase Clinton

Chaplin Greg

Chaplin Shane

Chaplin Ron

Compton Paul

Connell Glen

Cooke Clint

Coulter Ashley

Couzins Lee

Crannage Brad

Cramer Lee

Cronin Boyden

Cunningham Nick

Czabotar Peter

Davey Brad

Dayman Brett

Dawson Peter (smokey)

Denham Mike

Devereux Kim