The Supporters Group was formed of ex State players who wished to maintain their involvement in the Women’s Masters Group and have travelled to Perth 2011, Melbourne 2012, Adelaide 2013, Darwin 2014, Brisbane 2015, Hobart 2016 and Newcastle 2017 with the Queensland Teams. The Group has consisted of members from Gladstone, Brisbane, Victoria and Hervey Bay and has been up to 11 members in total at times.

All past players and supporters are invited to join this group. If you would like to be involved and be part of this Supporters Group, please contact Norma Smith on 0409 781 976 or email kadelli@bigpond.net.au. Within the Gladstone & District Hockey Association there are 3 amazing ladies who, when they decided to hang up their sticks, continued to follow the Qld Women’s Masters Teams at National Championships thus becoming part of this Qld Supporter’s Group.

These 3 ladies (Judy Aitkenhead, Lurleen Ramm and Norma Smith) have a wealth of hockey knowledge and continue to be actively involved in the Gladstone & District Hockey Association today. Their passion and love of the game is what drives these ladies to volunteer endless hours to assist with the continued growth and development of Gladstone Hockey. Judy, Lurleen and Norma have all played together in the same team, representing Gladstone in Division 3 at 3 Women’s Masters State Championships.

Judy Aitkenhead

Judy started playing at Teachers Training College in 1956 and after the Canberra Nationals in 2010 at the age of 68 years decided to retire due to requiring a hip replacement. Judy represented Queensland at 5 National Championships after the first 55 + and 60 + teams were initiated by Jenny Tidey. Judy has travelled to Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Hobart and Newcastle as part of the Supporters Group and thoroughly enjoys watching, cheering and socialising with those she has played hockey with or coached down the years. Hockey is the sport to play in the Aitkenhead family. At Christmas 28 family members played a boxing day full game of black shirts vs white shirts on the turf surface in Bundaberg which finished 4 all. Yes, it was a competitive game and only 3 of the players (too young) had not represented their state or country. Judy was over whelmed with the skills of some of the younger ones who sure hold their own. Judy is very modest of her own achievements and says the highlight of her career in hockey was having all her 6 children selected into State Teams and 2 into National Teams with one travelling to Spain this July. Being Life Member of Souths Hockey Club and Gladstone Hockey Association and recipient of Qld Hockey Long Service Award along with Australia Day Sports Medallion, Judy has had a lifetime involvement in the game of hockey and is President of her Club. She still coaches Under 7s and Under 9s for Souths Hockey Club today as well as Gladstone Master’s Representative Team at age of 76.

Lurleen Ramm

Lurleen started playing hockey at school at the age of 10 and stopped playing at 14. She then took up hockey again at the age of 29 and played until 66 years of age. Lurleen has represented Queensland at 1 National Championships and has travelled to Perth and Darwin as part of the Supporters Group. It is great to be included in the events of the QLD Teams and a great feeling following and watching these QLD teams she said. Being part of it and renewing friendships is something to look forward to. Lurleen has played hockey with and against her daughters and granddaughters. She feels honoured to have the experience of the QLD Supporters Group and hopes to be doing it for many more years to come. Lurlene’s highlight of her hockey career was being selected in the Queensland Team and making lifelong friendships. Representing Gladstone at the Women’s Masters State Championships was always a highlight. Playing with friends and catching up with players and friends from other centres was something else. Today Lurleen donates her time as Technical Official and any other duties Gladstone Hockey and her Club may ask of her.

Norma Smith

Norma started playing in Victoria (just a baby she says) and stopped playing in 2010. She has represented Queensland for 11 years and has received a badge in 2017 for player over 10 years from Hockey Queensland. Norma has travelled to Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, Brisbane, Hobart and Newcastle as a member of the Supporter Group. The Supporter Group now wears Queensland Shirts and have supporter peaked hats but initially they had shirts made up to distinguish themselves as being part of this Group. The Group have used signs as well over the years to encourage and support the Qld teams playing. Two of Norma’s sons, her daughter-in-law, granddaughter and grandsons have played hockey but not all are still taking the field. Her husband who has never played has also coached at times. The highlight of Norma’s Hockey career is representing Queensland as a player and Vice-Captain. Norma says the best part of her experience as a Queensland Supporter is renewing old friendships that she has played against each year and being invited to the lunches, functions and trips with the Qld teams and being able to still watch these teams play. Norma believes getting the turf was the best thing for the players, look how many young ones are being selected today. Today Norma donates her time as Technical Official and any other duties Gladstone Hockey may ask of her.

Each year the ladies like to have a photo taken with all the ladies from Gladstone who are attending as a player, official or supporter group. Here are a couple snaps of Darwin and Hobart.