2025 Life Member and Award of Merit Recipients Announced

Eight of Australian hockey’s most dedicated and passionate contributors have been officially recognised for their unwavering commitment and significant contribution to hockey with a Hockey Australia Life Membership or an Award of Merit.

Ratified by the Hockey Australia Board at this year’s Annual General Meeting, Hockeyroo #225 Wendy Pritchard (WA), double Olympic umpire Minka Woolley (TAS), respected team manager and administrator John Soundy (TAS), and highly regarded technical official Gary Marsh (QLD) have been awarded a Hockey Australia Life Membership for their outstanding and sustained service to hockey in Australia at national and/or international level.

Nicole Beaton (NSW), Raelene Dunn (NSW), Jim Mason (QLD), and Noel McRoberts (WA) are the latest recipients to be recognised with an Award of Merit for their dedicated and sustained commitment to the development of hockey in Australia, while underpinning the values of the sport.

Hockey Australia would like to congratulate all eight deserving recipients on their formal recognition in Australian hockey.

Hockey Australia 2025 Award Recipients
LIFE MEMBER

Wendy Pritchard (nee Butcher) – WA  

Wendy’s remarkable 50-year commitment to hockey began at just 10 years of age in Busselton, Western Australia, and over five decades later, her impact on the sport remains profound. 

By the age of 16, Wendy’s talent was undeniable, and a standout performance representing WA at her first Australian Senior Championships saw her earn national selection in 1965, marking the start of a career in green and gold where she amassed 43 internationals and two goals between 1965 and 1979.

Following her retirement from international hockey after 15 years at the elite level, Wendy’s expertise and leadership were soon called upon again, this time off the field, when then-Hockeyroos Head Coach Ric Charlesworth appointed her as Team Manager of the national side in 1993.

Over the next seven years, Wendy played a pivotal role in the program that produced arguably Australia’s greatest ever female sporting team, as they went on to win Olympic Gold in 1996 and 2000 and two World Cup Gold Medals in 1994 and 1998.

In 2002, Wendy was inducted into the Western Australia Hall of Champions before becoming one of Hockey Australia’s inaugural Hall of Fame inductees in 2008.

Additionally, Wendy has contributed significantly in governance roles with Hockey WA and Hockey Australia, as a committee member on the Hockey WA and Hockey Australia Hall of Champions and Hall of Fame Selection Committees for over ten years. 

Minka Woolley – TAS  

Minka has a long and extensive history of volunteerism with hockey at every level of our sport, from the grassroots to the pinnacle, the Olympic Games, all while establishing a career as one of Australia’s most accomplished hockey officials.

Minka’s distinguished career spanned five Olympic Games and started as an elite umpire, officiating at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, before transitioning into high-level umpire management, including roles at the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Games, as well as other major tournaments worldwide.

A two-time Australian Female Hockey Official of the Year, Minka remains a tireless advocate for officiating in Tasmania, particularly on the North West Coast. She mentors local umpires, manages national-level officials, helped start the Junior Umpire Academy, and serves on the Hockey Tasmania Officiating Committee, continuing to shape the future of officiating in the sport from grassroots to the global stage.

John Soundy – TAS  

A respected team manager and administrator, John’s career began with the successful transformation of the Tasmanian state team, alongside coach Greg Peart, in 1982, before he was appointed team manager of the Australian U21 national men’s hockey team. 

John managed the side through multiple international campaigns, helping to shape the development of Australia’s emerging hockey talent during a critical period alongside renowned coaches Don Smart, Frank Murray, and Barry Dancer.

In parallel with his national commitments, John made a profound impact on hockey in Tasmania for over 30 years. Including organising many international matches and major tournaments held in the state, such as an Oceania Olympic Qualifier and the 2012 Masters Tournament, and transforming the original Tasmanian Hockey Centre into a secure and modern, world-class facility for the sport.

A leader both on and off the field, John served over a decade as President of the Southern Hockey Association and became the inaugural President of Hockey South following the unification of the men’s and women’s associations, before serving as President of the Tasmanian Hockey Association and playing a key role in the founding of the original Hockey One League Tassie Tigers team.

Gary Marsh – QLD

Gary has dedicated his life to the game of hockey. His journey in the sport started as a player, before he transitioned to umpiring at just 21 years of age. Gary quickly rose through the ranks from club and state competitions to the international stage. He earned his Australian Badge and went on to officiate at national championships before the establishment of the National League, where he remained a mainstay for many years. 

Gary enjoyed considerable success at the international level, officiating at the Champions Trophy in Germany and Pakistan, and a FIH World Cup in Sydney. After his on-field career concluded, Gary continued to give back to the sport in a multitude of ways, becoming an Umpire Coach, Tournament Director, and as an inaugural member of Hockey Australia’s Officiating Committee from 2001. 

In 2002, Gary began a new chapter as an FIH Technical Officer, serving at major tournaments including Junior World Cup Qualifiers, Youth Olympics, and culminating with the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast as Tournament Director.

AWARDS OF MERIT

Nicole Beaton – NSW

Nicole Beaton has been a passionate and influential contributor to Australian hockey for over two decades, dedicating herself to the development of both players and umpires across all levels of the game. A highly respected coach, umpire, and selector, Nicole has left an enduring legacy within New South Wales and on the international Masters stage through her leadership, mentorship, and tireless volunteer service.

As a Level 3 umpire and umpire coach, Nicole officiated at National Championships and international events from 1996 to 2002, while also nurturing the next generation of junior umpires in NSW. Her coaching credentials are equally impressive. Nicole was a Level 2 coach for Australian Women’s Masters teams between 2003 and 2017, leading sides at Trans-Tasman series, World Cups and other international tournaments, while also serving as a national selector for Australian Masters teams from 2007 to 2016 and as a Hockey Australia Women’s Masters selector in 2019 & 2024.

Nicole’s coaching talents saw her appointed as Assistant Coach and later Head Coach of the School Sport Australia U16 Girls Hockey Team from 2016–2019. More recently, Nicole has been a part of the Hockey Australia Female Coaches cohort, previously led by current Kookaburras’ Head Coach Mark Hager, since 2023. As well as an FIH/HA Coach Developer in 2023, Assistant Coach of the Hockey NSW U21 Girls Team, and Selector for the NSW Pride Women’s Team in 2022/23.

Raelene Dunn – NSW

Raelene “Rae” Dunn has been a driving force behind the success of Australian Masters Hockey for over a decade, making a lasting impact through her exceptional service, organisation, and leadership. 

Since being elected to the Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Committee in 2010, Rae has served for 12 years as the National Championships and Events Coordinator, ensuring the smooth delivery of the Women’s Masters National Championships. 

Beyond the national stage, Rae played a key role in the Organising Committee for the 2016 Masters World Cup in Canberra and supported the delivery of the 2018 and 2019 National Indoor Championships, multiple Trans-Tasman Challenges, and the 2022 ‘Return to Hockey’ Invitational. 

In addition to her administrative excellence, Rae represented SA at Masters’ level from 1986 – 1999, the ACT at Masters’ level since 2000 – 2022, before representing WA at Masters’ level in 2024. Rae has also supported local carnivals as an umpire, team manager, and committee member.

James “Jim” Mason – QLD

Jim dedicated his life to the sport of hockey, making a remarkable impact as a player, coach, selector, and administrator. Jim’s journey with Australian hockey started at Brothers HC before he became a lifelong member of Parks HC, where he played a key role in fundraising and team coaching.

Kookaburra #202, Jim’s leadership traits were on full display from the age of 16. He captained the Queensland Schoolboys team before progressing to the senior state team by 1967, where he enjoyed a distinguished career through to 1981, with many of those years as captain. 

On the international stage, Jim became a two-time Olympian and Olympic silver medallist in Mexico City, after making his debut against New Zealand in 1967, where he amassed 83 internationals and scored five goals.

His passion for the sport endured well beyond his international career. He was instrumental in developing the sport regionally, coaching the Townsville senior men’s team for more than 20 years and guiding the Queensland Country team from 1982 to 1992. In 1993, he was a key figure behind the formation and success of the Far North Queensland “Barras” National League team, strengthening the lineup with top Australian talent, before his influence extended nationally as a Kookaburras selector from 1996 to 2000, helping shape Australia’s campaign toward the Sydney Olympics.

Jim was later inducted into the Hockey Queensland Hall of Fame in 2003. 

Noel McRoberts – WA

For close to 20 years, Noel was a central figure in Australian hockey’s high-performance medical and support landscape, serving as a physiotherapist and medical coordinator across both the men’s and women’s national teams through one of Australian hockey’s greatest eras. 

Noel’s early involvement started at the 1989 Junior World Cup in Malaysia, before he played a key role in the lead-up to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics with the Hockeyroos, travelling to multiple major tournaments as the Kookaburras went on to win Olympic bronze in Atlanta in 1996 and again in Sydney, 2000. 

From 2000, Noel served as the Physiotherapist and Medical Coordinator for both the Australian Men’s Team and the AIS Men’s and Women’s programs for the Athens Olympics, where he played a key role in the preparation and lead up to the Kookaburras’ Olympic gold medal performance at the Athens Olympics in 2004. After supporting the side to the highest achievement in the sport, Noel concluded a remarkable 21-year tenure with the AIS, Kookaburras, and Hockeyroos, leaving a lasting legacy of professionalism, care, and excellence