Brisbane Womens Hockey Association
In 1984 a general discussion was held amongst BWHA ‘oldies’ (players in their thirties) which led to the formation of a Division called Veterans in the 1984 BWHA fixture competition. Anyone over the age of 35 was to be eligible to play in the Veterans division.
Instigators Barbara Northcott and the then President of BWHA, Janne Ellis, were able to get other clubs to join with Saints – Ascot, Easts, Norths, Logan and Mt Gravatt CAE to compete against one another.
This encouraged Barbara to continue working with Janne and BWHA to send two teams to the Invitational Veterans Interstate Competition in Canberra in 1984.
As Barbara Northcott wrote:
‘ I was aware of the ambivalent attitude to the introduction of another competition and the financial implications for State Hockey Associations. But my big argument for supporting this additional competition strata was that almost all of the people in the Veteran ranks were giving back far more to the sport than people realised. Most of us were either coaching Junior players or running clubs that included Junior Girls. Mentoring players when they are young is vital. The Veteran players were role modeling the notion of playing hockey for life and not just when you were young.’
This competition became the Women’s Australian Hockey Championship in 1985.
10 BWHA players were selected in the Qld team which competed in Melbourne in October 1985.
Not to be outdone, Qld had started its own Veterans State Championships in 1985.
BWHA Veterans competition was well established and the team they sent to Townsville won the championships.
In contrast to today where photos abound, no photo of the 1985 BWHA team has been located! However a photo collage could be assembled.
From these very early beginnings BWHA have sent teams to every subsequent Veterans/Masters State Championships.
The number of BWHA teams grew steadily over the years, with varying results. Brisbane 1 has been the most successful of all the BWHA teams, gaining 19 Division 1 premierships over the 40 years of Masters/Veterans State Championships. Collectively, Brisbane 2-6 have won 17 championships in Divisions 2 through 6.
1998 was a very successful year for BWHA, with four teams winning state titles.
1998 Team 1
1998 Team 2
1998 Team 3
1998 Team 5
Results for all the BWHA teams are available on the BWHA website
Many BWHA players have also been successful in gaining selection in HQ representative teams. Details are available on the Hockey QLD website
A special moment came for a Special lady in 2023 when it was announced at the State Championships that the player of the Tournament would now be known as the
‘Jenny Tidey Player of the Tournament’.
And who better than Jenny herself to present the trophy!
BWHA representative uniforms have seen a number of changes over the years as can be seen in the various team photos.
In 2023, for the first time, BWHA sent 7 teams to the State Championships in Toowoomba. And in 2024, for the first time, 8 teams to the Championships in Marybourough.
BWHA teams have embraced many team themes……
BWHA teams have supported each other on and off the field, not only as players but as coaches, managers, umpires,
tech officials and supporters.
The contribution made by so many BWHA players, officials and volunteers has not gone un-noticed. Members have been recognised with HQ Association Service Awards and/or HA State Service Awards
Since their inception in 2014, 15 members have been recognised for their long-standing contribution to
BWHA Women’s Masters with the award of a HQWM Association Service Award.
(N.B.From 2025 the HA State Service Awards have been discontinued and are being replaced by a new award to be known as HQ State Service Awards.)
Further BWHA achievements and information can also be found on Facebook and Instagram
The following two articles are on the Hockey Queensland Masters page.
QLD Ambassadors – Rhonda and Jenny