2019 saw Rhonda Bentley and Jenny Tidey appointed as Ambassadors for Queensland Women’s Masters to attend Nationals at the Gold Coast in September / October this year.

Rhonda joined Norths Hockey Club in 1981 when her daughters learnt to play. She held the positions of Secretary and President for several years, learning to play herself in 1986 at the age of 39. Rhonda played for City United and Kedron Wavell Services Hockey Clubs. She attended State Championships for Women’s Master for a couple of years representing Brisbane at these Championships.

Rhonda is still involved in hockey today. She is a Life Member of Kedron Wavell Services Hockey Club and was club captain in 1993.

Rhonda has held the position of Manager for Kedron Wavell for several years, BWHA for 16 years, Queensland Masters for 22 years and Manager of Australian Masters teams for 3 years.

Service Awards from Hockey Australia 10 Years and Hockey Queensland Women’s Master 20 years have been presented to Rhonda.

Rhonda says her best hockey experience is her selection as Manager for Australian Women’s Teams and her selection as Hockey Ambassador for Queensland Womens Masters.

Jenny became involved in hockey through a friend in Mackay from 1956-1958 where she played secondary schoolgirls. She moved to Brisbane in 1959 and continues to be involved in hockey today. Jenny still watches the games being played most Saturdays and some Sundays.

Her daughter Alyson Aleksic plays Masters, is Manager for Queensland and Metro North U12 schoolgirls teams, umpires and is an umpire mentor. Her granddaughter Rhiannon Aleksic coaches, plays and umpires and will umpire at the U18 State Championships. Her son and two daughters used to play hockey and her husband was club junior umpire mentor for many years.

Jenny has coached the Kedron Wavell first division ladies and girls’ teams in 1976/7 and managed many teams for the club from juniors to seniors. Today she is the Manager of Kedron Wavell Division One Women’s Masters team. She has played in and managed many BWHA Teams, first playing in BWHA Championship in 1984. She was selected in the first Championships of Women’s Masters for Queensland in 1985. Jenny had a break and returned to Women’s Masters in 1998 to 2006 when she retired from playing. She organised the fitting of Queensland uniforms from 2007 to 2012.

Jenny was awarded a State A umpire badge in 1966. She has also played in a couple of Brisbane Senior teams and several Master’s Teams, loving her hockey playing days and the official positions that followed.

She has held official positions and played with Taxations Women’s Hockey Club, City United/Kedron Wavell Services Hockey Club and Queensland Women’s Masters. She is Patron of City United and Kedron Wavell Services Hockey Clubs and been a delegate and spokesperson for Queensland Women’s Masters.

In 2017 Jenny received the Order of Australia Medal OAM for her services to hockey. Other awards received are Australian Sports Award in 2000, Commonwealth Games Baton Carrier in 2006 and Hockey Queensland Womens Masters 10 year Award. Jenny has Life Memberships with Hockey Queensland, Brisbane Women’s Hockey Association, Taxation Women’s Hockey Club and Kedron Wavell Services Hockey Club.

Jenny says her best hockey experience is all the wonderful friends she has made and the team experiences she has had. In Darwin in 2006 her last Masters Championships before retiring, managing over 50 teams to win gold and helping Queensland win the trophy for Champion State at the Championships.

Rhonda and Jenny have fitted all BWHA teams with uniforms for 12 years and this year the Women’s Masters State Nominees. Thank you to Rhonda and Jenny for their huge contributions to Women’s Masters and hockey in general. Your services will always be remembered fondly.