As the hockey world weathered the uncertainty of COVID 19 over the past two seasons, the curtain came quietly down on the coaching career of one of Queensland women’s hockey’s great contributors.

Graham “Wakey” Wakefield – the quiet guiding influence behind the success of many women’s masters’ teams – retired from coaching in 2019 after 24 years of outstanding service to Hockey Queensland Women’s Masters. Graham’s passion and ability took him to many high profile and successful appointments and is no better exemplified than by the success of the Hockey Queensland women over 35s team.

Graham coached the Brisbane 1 Women’s Masters team from 1996 until 2019, winning the State Championships 11 times. From 1998 he was appointed coach of the HQ Women’s Masters over 35s team and continued at the helm until his last tournament in 2019, leading Queensland to the over 35s national title 10 times, including five in a row from 2015 to 2019.

Graham played hockey from age 10 years until the age of 34 when he started to coach. Residing in Brisbane, Graham coached at Valleys Hockey Club, guiding their Division 1-3 women’s teams from 1983 to 2004. In 2006 Graham went to St Andrew’s Hockey Club where he coached Division 1-4 teams until his retirement.

During his early years in coaching, Graham was appointed the coach of Brisbane 1 Women’s U18 team (1987 to 1992) and was also coach of the HQ Women’s U18 team during the same time. He went on to coach Brisbane 1 girls U15 team from 1993 to 1996.

His success at the state level led to his appointment to coach Australian Women’s Masters teams at international competitions. He was coach of Australian women’s over 35 teams at the biennial TransTasman Challenge versus New Zealand (2000-2008), over 45s (2010) and over 50s (assistant coach 2017).

Other appointments included Women’s Masters World Cup with the over 40s Wattles (2016, Canberra); assistant coach of over 35s and over 50s (2018, Terrassa Spain); and for teams at International Masters Hockey Tournaments (2004, 2005, 2007), 50s/55s Tri series versus New Zealand (2009) and Champions Cup in Nottingham UK (2010).

Graham has been regularly recognised for his coaching talent and dedication over the years. He is a member of the Australian Women’s Masters Hockey Green & Gold Club (10 or more occasions of service to Hockey Australia Women’s Masters); is the recipient of the Australian Women’s Veterans Hockey Service Award; the Australian Women’s Masters
Hockey Australia Service Award; the Queensland Hockey Women’s Masters Service Award and a “few” club awards when playing and coaching.

Though his talent as a coach has taken him far, Graham regards his relationship with his Masters teams as his greatest success. Graham says his most memorable experience was coaching the Hockey Queensland Women’s Masters over 35s at the National Women’s Masters Championships in 2019 at the Gold Coast to make it five consecutive titles in a row.

The Hockey Queensland Women’s Masters Committee and our whole hockey community thank Graham for 24 years of dedication to our Masters women and wish him happiness and continued fulfilment in everything he undertakes in retirement from Hockey Queensland Women’s Masters coaching duties.