The Mullumbimby Hockey Club is celebrating its 90th birthday this year and will field three senior teams in the Tweed Border competition.
‘The Mullumbimby teams train and play on the fields at Murwillumbah because the local fields aren’t smooth enough and carry the potential to hurt players,’ club vice president Carol White said.
The club is fielding two women’s teams and one men’s team in 2019.
‘Female players range in age form 17 to 68, and we have seven women over 60 in the team,’ Carol said.
‘Hockey is a great sport. You can keep playing forever,’ she said.
Team member Kaylene Toovey will be representing Australia against New Zealand in the over 65s Trans Tasman Cup being held on the Gold Coast in April.
Began in 1929
Back in May 1929 the club started with a single women’s team.
Hockey was played as a curtain raiser for the inter-district football matches.
A star of the era was Ethel Mawdsley who scored numerous goals against Byron Bay, even though Byron won most of the games. After the game, the visiting team was always offered afternoon tea.
By 1931 the competition area included Casino, Lismore and Ballina. In 1932 Alstonville, Bangalow, Kyogle, Nimbin and Billinudgel. From 1934 – 1947 there were insufficient players to field a team. In those latter years the war would have impacted on the numbers.
In 1947 a men’s team was formed and a women’s team was re-formed and affiliated with Murwillumbah Hockey Association.
Hockey carnivals were a regular occurrence at Mullumbimby in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.
Mullumbimby Hockey Club held regular dances in the Mullumbimby Memorial School of Arts.
‘To commemorate our 90th year anniversary we are going to hold a dance at St John’s Hall in Mullumbimby on June 29. We would love all past and present players and members to help us celebrate this special occasion,’ Carol said.
Phone 0419046776 or 0432429896 or email [email protected] if you have any memorabilia, information or any enquiries about the dance.
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