2021 Hockey Victoria Life Member Inductees

Please join us in congratulating the following members below as Hockey Victoria Life Members/Award of Merit Inductees for 2021. To access their induction images, please click on their name to access images.

Life Member: Bill West - Footscray & KBH Brumbies

As a Victorian Masters player representative since 1994, Bill has always had a passion for Hockey at the highest level. This passion has seen Bill be a member of the Victorian Masters Committee and Hockey Victoria Disciplinary Committee since 2006 (VMC) & 1997 (HVDC) whilst also acting as a delegate and coordinator for Victorian Men’s Masters since 2002. Bill was also elected as a Victorian Hockey Association Board Member in 2005 and has been a longstanding contributor to the success of the Victorian State Teams program.

Life Member: David Saleeba

David began umpiring in 1958 for the Victorian Amateur HA at the age of 14. After retiring from top grade umpiring in 1998 after over 750 matches and 19 grand finals, David still to this day umpires Metropolitan fixtures. David received an Australian umpiring badge in 1969 and an International badge in 1975. President of the Umpires Association and Council and on the Umpire Appointments and Examination Committees for over 30 years having umpired over 5000 games for the Association, David is one of Australia’s leading umpires. David has gone on to volunteer his time to educate and mentor many aspiring umpires, receiving the Victorian Hockey Association Award of Merit in 1992 for his then contribution to umpiring and mentoring. Over the ensuing years David has continued this contribution to Victorian Hockey.

Life Member: Graeme Dent - Hockey Geelong

Graeme was the Victorian State Team Junior Selector during 1994-2013 and Chair of U15 State Team Selection during 2000 – 2013. Graeme has significantly contributed to Victorian State Team’s pre amalgamation, coaching U13 in 1993, U18 1992-1993 and was the Victorian Institute of Sport Regional Coach during 1989 – 1994. Graeme is a Life Member to Geelong Hockey Association thanks to a decade long contribution including President of the Association in 2005 – 2007.

Award of Merit: Ken Walker - Southern United

Ken represented Victoria in Masters from 1981 - 2017 and Australia from 1995 - 2014 winning several championships. Ken contributed to the VHA during the 1970's as a club coach and Junior State selector for 30 years. A majority of his contribution has been as a club coach including A1 Men’s and SL1 Women’s, episodes of coaching and captaining Master's teams and a Women's over 40's State Team. Since 1990, he has continued to coach Club juniors and school teams and continues to umpire local and school hockey.

Life Member: Neil Coster

Neil’s contribution to Victorian Hockey can be seen over many decades. A club enthusiast with a 25 year contribution as Chairman to the Footscray HC paved the way to his Life Membership presented in 1982. Neil’s administration passion has also seen him Chair of the Victorian Masters Committee for 25 years, a Victorian Masters selector for 18 years and he is still be involved as an advisor. Neil has also had a tremendous playing and team manager career, winning multiple Masters National Championships (1990, 1995, 2004, and 2017). Whilst Neil has contributed heavily to the Victorian Master’s Program, he also was a key contributor in the McIver Reserve Sports Centre Development in 1993.

Life Member: Sue Hounslow - Werribee, Footscray & Altona

Sue contributed heavily to the Victorian Junior Hockey Association joining the VJHA committee in 1985 as a general member before taking the position as Treasurer from 1988 – 1998. Sue then went on to become involved in the Victorian Women’s HA particularly through implementing new financial practices during the period 1998 to 2003. After assisting the VWHA, Sue was massively important to the significant contribution towards the amalgamation of the associations that came together to form Hockey Victoria. A process which involved Sue setting up financial and administration aspects of Hockey Victoria and transferring all data from the old associations. Lastly, Sue was on the Sub-Committee of Women’s Masters from 2002 – 2012.

Life Member: Terry Ryan - Camberwell

Terry, a past Hockey Victoria Board Member has volunteered his time over several decades to Hockey in Victoria. Terry chaired the indoor sub-committee during 1997-2002 and team managed indoor state teams from 1993 – 2002. Subsequent to being involved in indoor, Terry has contributed to HV State Teams over the decade, mostly team managing U13 & U15’s since 2016 to this day. Terry has also been a contributing member of Camberwell HC for 36 + years, serving as President in 2001 – 2007.