Ipswich Hockey Association Inc.

History

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The Ipswich Hockey Association was established over 70 years ago and makes available the sport of hockey to all residents of Ipswich and surrounding areas.  The Association was formed at a meeting on 28th May, 1931.  It was then known as the Ipswich Men's Hockey Association and became the Ipswich Hockey Association Inc on 8 June 1989 allowing all hockey in the Ipswich area to come under the one body.  The Ladies Association, the Schoolboys and Schoolgirls all became sub-associations of the parent body.

One of the people at the first meeting in 1931 was Norm Watson who went on to play goalkeeper for Australia and then towards the end of his playing days became Secretary of the Association in a position he held for seventeen years.

Norm's selection as goalkeeper in the Australian team started a great run of selection in Australian teams by Ipswich goalkeepers with John Dwyer, Arthur Busch, Wayne Greene and Lindsay Woods, all being named in Australian teams since that early beginning.  Two field players, Barry Dancer and Ian Pavitt, were also selected in Australian open teams. In 2005 Amy Korner became the first Ipswich female to play hockey for Australia when she played as part of the Hockeyroos team that competed in the Champions Trophy in Canberra.

The first fixture game was held between the Boomerangs and St Stephens on Saturday, 13th June 1931 at the Ipswich Showgrounds and this was to become the home of Ipswich Hockey for most of the first season.  Late in the season it was moved to the corner of Chermside Road and Jacaranda Street which was the start of a long association with these fields.

Having purchased these grounds, the Association developed the East Ipswich complex into one of the best hockey centres in the State of Queensland, and was able to conduct several State championships on them.

In 1994 the East Ipswich grounds were sold and the Briggs Road Complex was developed and now comprises 2 synthetic fields (one water and one sand) and 6 grass fields.  All hockey in the Ipswich Region is played at these fields.  The water base field was constructed in early 2001, is of world class standard, and similar to the field at the 2000 Olympics at Homebush, Sydney.  The sand field is adjacent to the water base field.  Powerful lights mounted on towers ensure hockey in Ipswich is able to be played equally as well into the evenings.  The clubhouse adjacent to the main water base field provides an excellent viewpoint for hockey.

More information about Hockey in Ipswich

Playing fields: 65 Briggs Rd Raceview, Queensland

Email: play@ipswichhockey.com

Ph: (07) 3288 6985

Fax: (07) 3294 0214