History Article

NUHC 1980-1985

Northern History | History
 
During this period Northern united Hockey Club progressed well.

Club officers, committee members, administrators & club members combined together to carry on the general traditions of the club. Initially under the continuing chairmanship of Rex Manning & from 1982 on under the chairmanship & direction of Ken Wood, Northern United members developed, supported enjoyed & played hockey extremely well during these years & continued to be well recognised in the greater Wellington area as one of the most progressive clubs.

The success of the teams in the various grades of the Wellington Hockey Associations interclub competition together with the success of some of the more renown players who gained recognition by being selected to Wellington representative teams, some of which aspired to higher levels, during this era, are recorded in history & annual reports.

Some such noted club persons worthy of particular mention are Michael Davis, Darrel Cassidy, Paul Huxford, Graham Hunt, Jenny Duck, Melanie Williams, Judith Mills, Louise Parsons, Stephen Wright, Warren Goff, Judy McIntyre, Titsia Jamieson, Murray Down, Ross Manning,& last but not least Stephen Burrows, to name but a few, who played well while also bringing fame & recognition to the club.

With the close association & development of Primary & Secondary school players by senior club member/coaches & in particular Rose Sutherland & Stephen Mills, Northern United provided for excellent future strength within the local area having fielded a total combined compliment of 21 club teams in the 1984 competition.

In 1984 Northern United had a total of 32 Wellington representative team members, within the various grades & in 1985 managed to increase that number to 35.

Funding for club teams & activities for this period came largely from player subs which were subsidised with specific club fundraising by raffles, filling Bernina envelopes & garage sales.

Ken Mills was responsible for the Bernina envelope contract & Rex Manning for organising the garage sales. Both activities substantially helped to swell the club funds.

An extension to the Bannister Ave. clubrooms were completed in 1982/ 83. These extensions increased the clubroom floor area which provided a large storage area and an improved more sheltered entry-way. The clubrooms were later sold & the associated capital invested on behalf of the club.

As the Northern United Senior Reserve men won their grade for 1984 it entitled the club to field two teams in the Senior Mens competition during 1985. This was a great achievement which had a marked effect on the success of the club during this period & beyond.

In 1985 Michael Davis made the club very proud being the first player in our history to be selected to the New Zealand Men's Junior team and we were equally proud to nominate him for the newly established "Johnsonville Sports Personality Of The Year" award. Unfortunately for Michael & the club the award went to Jeff Strom. Michael was joint runner up.

The advent of the first N.Z. artificial all weather, hockey surface at the National Hockey Stadium in Newtown, late in 1984 & the utilisation of this facility by the Wellington Hockey Association in conjunction with Wellington & Hutt clubs heralded the beginning of a new era for all hockey in New Zealand.

Interclub games at the newly created National Hockey Stadium began in earnest during the 1985 winter season. Initially the usage was limited to senior men's & women's club teams with premier 1 matches commencing at 9pm.

All players were given the occasional scheduled opportunity or game on the new surface during that first season which set the start of the new standard for the playing & development of the game of hockey for generations of hockey players to come.

Written by Ken Wood
 
© Copyright Northern United Hockey Club Inc. 2005 - 2009