A History of	Return to: Article List
Brisbane Junior Hockey, 1931 - 1982
Reproduced from the 1982 Brisbane Hockey Association's Golden Jubilee Booklet.

In 1931, Mr Col Cormie was appointed by Queensland Hockey Association to organise Brisbane Junior Fixtures at Crosby Park. Four clubs Wilston, Valley, Kedron and Rosemount were joined during the season by new teams Coorparoo, Cannon Hill and Valley United. Thirteen teams competed in two grades, Kedron winning T1 and Rosemount T2.

The 1932 season saw Mr Col Cormie still organiser. But 1933 was the start of a Queensland Junior Association, which continued until 1939, when a Brisbane Junior Committee was established, with R. Tait, R. Galagher, H. McKechnie as office bearers. Junior fixtures were played at Crosby Park 1931-36-37, the first season at Victoria Park.

Queensland Hockey Association

1931-32 Mr Col Cormie Junior Organiser.

Queensland Junior Association

1933-35 E. Bailey(Pres.) C. Cormie (Sec.) J. Faulkner (Tres.);
1936 Col Cormie (Pres.) W. Reid (Sec.) R. Tait (Tres.);
1937 Hec Cormie (Pres.) W. Reid (Sec.) J. Weimer(Tres.);
1938 R. Tait (Pres.) R. Gallagher(Sec.) J. Weimer (Tres.).

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Brisbane Junior Committee

1939 R. Tait (Pres.) R. Gallagher (Sec.) H. McKechnie (Tres.);
1940 R. Tait (Pres.) W. Reid (Sec.) R. Hill (Tres.);
1941 W. Reid (Pres.) A. Wiltshire (Sec.) R. Hill (Tres.).
No Junior Fixtures were played 1942-45 (War Years) but were continued in
1946 with A. Wiltshire as organiser. Twelve clubs: Valley, Bulimba, Cannon Hill, Kelvin Grove, Mitchelton, Breakfast Creek, Ashgrove, Commercial, Darimah, Mayne and Y.M.C.A provided 18 teams for fixtures.
R. Wakefield was organiser in 1947 with 20 teams. Kelvin Grove won T1 Grade and Valley T2.
1948 increased to 30 teams T1 (9 teams) T2 (eleven teams) T3 (10 teams) Valley won T1 and T2 with Y.M.C.A. winning T3.

1949-56 Juniors with Merv Harris as Secretary of the Committee continued fixtures at Victoria Park, and in 1952 an U18 Competition was included in Fixtures to help the Juniors adjust to Senior Hockey. A recommendation in 1956 gave Junior Fixtures some wider control of Brisbane Hockey Association with a Junior Representative on B.H.A. executive. Junior Reps were 1956-61 Les Yorston, 1962-65 Gordon Horn.

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Brisbane Junior Hockey Association

The Brisbane Junior Hockey Association in its present form was instigated in 1966, through the efforts of Hockey stalwart Stan Griffin. At the first Annual Meeting Harry Spice was elected President, which he held until 1974. Secretary elect was Stan Griffin which he held until 1972. The first Treasurer of the Association was Mac Dawson, however, he only stood for two years. In 1968 Ron Rideout took over the books of the Association and still holds this position.

During 1966, Brisbane Fielded 54 teams in competition. At State Championships, the under 16 team was successful, however, one Under 14 team lost to Townsville.   In our following year, we fielded 54 teams again, however, a new grade was formed, known as J9 Grade for boys Under 8 years of age, the competition attracted four teams. At state championships, we won both the Under 16 and 14 Grades.     For the first time a Queensland Touring Team was selected at the Under 16 Championships with Brisbane gaining five representatives, Trevor Griffin, Ian Barsby (Redcliffe) Luke Van Doorn (Easts) Peter Graham (St. Andrews).  

In the 1969 season, Brisbane hosted the Queensland Primary School Championship (Under 12) and the Australian Under 16 Championship. This season saw the State Championship for Under 16 being played at Rockhampton, and was the first time ever that Brisbane teams travelled by plane.   Brisbane won the Championship with the following players being selected for Queensland -- John Franklin, I. Barsby, Rob Somers, Gary Grispke (Redcliffe), Greg Maddock, Lindsay Bell (St. Andrews), Errol Brough (Commercial), Greg Browning. Queensland also went on to win the Australian Championships. On the club scene Bulimba Hockey Club obtained additional grounds at Carina which they held for a number of years before returning to Colmslie oval. Current (at the time of writing, 1982) Australian Player, Trevor King, made his debut that year, by representing Brisbane at Under 14 level. Brisbane took out the Under 14 title.  

During 1969 Hockey expanded, and for Brisbane, it was a highly successful year. lntercity Hockey for Under 12 and 10 age groups was formed, with both teams winning all their matches. Brisbane dominated the lntercity competition by also winning the Under 16 and 14 age groups.   Brisbane dominated the lntercity competition by also winning the Under 16 and 14 age groups. Brisbane dominated the lntercity competition by also winning the Under 16 and 14 age groups. Not happy with these wins, Brisbane went on to win the Under 16-15-14-12 state championships. Due to costs and unavailability of grounds, the association did not obtain the use of Victoria Park for Hockey.  

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The Seventies

In 1970, the Australian colours were awarded to Greg Browning where he is still a member of the Australian team. (at the time of writing, 1982)  

After our successful year in 1969, 1970 saw all Brisbane teams lose their respective state championships. Under 16 to Ipswich, Under 14 to Border and Under 12 to Ipswich.   In lntercity we faired a little better winning the Under 16 and Under 10 (undefeated), whilst Warwick won Under 14 and Border Under 12's. During this season, saw intercity matches being played between Brisbane and Sydney at Under 14 and 12 Level. Brisbane won both Under 14 matches by 6-1 and 6-0 whilst Under 12 won 4-2 and Lost 0-1.

A new trophy was incorporated during the season, namely the Stan Griffin Trophy (Club Championship).   Valley won the Shield for the first time with eleven teams competing.   Hockey was once again played at Victoria Park, with Brisbane Club Y.M.C.A. taking over the lease. After last seasons effort, Brisbane came back strongly to be joint holders at the Under 16 and 14 Championships whilst the Under 12's was all ours. Intercity saw Brisbane take out all age groups. The State Under 16 Championships were in Brisbane with matches being played at Shaw Park. At the conclusion of the Championships, Brisbane gained seven players in the Queensland team for the Australian Championship which we won.   An Interstate carnival for Under 14 age groups was held in Melbourne this year with the team going fairly well, except to be beaten on goal average. Brisbane gained nine players in the Queensland team. On a sadder note, although not directly with this Association, School Boy Hockey lost one of its greatest stalwarts, in Ralph Wakefield. "Wakey" as he was known, retired from the education department.

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During the 1973 season a Queensland Under 14 team toured the North Island of New Zealand. This team was the first junior team in Australia to travel overseas. Six Brisbane players and two Brisbane officials made the tour. Scott Newman, Neil Reid (Redcliffe), Alan Lane, Peter Springfield, Chris Spice (Valley), Peter Shaw (Easts), lrvine Springfield (Coach), Daryl Garget (Manager). The Intercity competition was extended with the inclusion of Gold Coast in Under 14-12-10-8 age groups. In 1975 Brisbane Hockey had its first breakthrough into GPS schools with the inclusion of Church of England Grammar School who are still playing with the Association.   After a successful tour by Wanganui (New Zealand) in 1974, a further tour in 1975 by Manawatu took place. Brisbane being undefeated both matches.   Eight Brisbane Under 12 players were selected in the Queensland team to tour New Zealand in 1977 under manager Doug Siggs (Former Australian Captain) manager and Ray Hedge (Coach). Scott Keddy, David Morgan, Greg Pampling, Wagner (Redcliffe), Michael Alexander (Churchie) David Hodges, Greg Forbes (Valley), B. Paties (Easts).

In 1978 saw the formation of a new club "Logan" taking in Kingston and Woodridge area.

Another busy season was held in 1979 with a New Zealand Under 14 team touring Queensland as well as an Under 16 team from Manawatu. Brisbane won the Under 14 match, however, went down in the Under 16 game.

In 1980 the Under 14 Australian Carnival was taken over by the Australian Hockey Association and thus became a championship. Previously Queensland had won the competition for three successive years.

With all states competing, Queensland won the first Under 14 Australian Championship in Adelaide. Brisbane players in this team were Michael Keddy, Darren Diffenbach, Rodney Lancaster (Redcliffe), Ricky Lister (Norths), Peter Mullins, David McKay, David Oberthur (Valley), manager was Mr. John Kerr and Coach Wayne Wellingham. The Australian Under 12 carnival was held in Brisbane with the Queensland team performing well to go through undefeated.

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