Sports News
90th year for Waratahs
90th year for Waratahs
By Samantha Elley
In the 90 years the Waratah Hockey Club has been in existence, it has only had two treasurers, both dedicated to the role.
Father and son team Ted and Len Irby are representative of the love for the club shown since it was established in 1932. Ted held the role from 1961 to 1975.
Len followed him after than and still holds the role today.
“Kids would play hockey at school, with sticks made from lantana and using a tennis ball.
“It wasn’t until the arrival of the Mastertons that the first men’s hockey team was formed.”
Sam Masterton became the founding president of the Burringbar Hockey Club and would hold that position for the next 37 years.
In 1934 a women’s team was formed, but by 1939 hockey was on hold due to World War Two.
The next game by the club wouldn’t happen until 1947 and by this stage, although still known as the Burringbar Hockey Club, they were about to join with a number of other local teams and be called the Waratah Hockey Club for the first time.
From there the club went from strength to strength and Alex remembers a very strong culture of hockey in the area when he was growing up.
“There was a time where it was said, if you were born in Burringbar, you were born with a hockey stick in your hand,” he said.
“Between 2005-2012 the men’s hockey teams always made the grand finals.
“Back then we had a junior team for every age group and three men’s teams, including one in A-grade.”
While the hey days of the hockey club have dropped off, Alex said there is a young group of players coming through, willing to take the reins of running the club.
“This is my first year as president as many of the older members wanted to step down,” he said.
To celebrate 90 years of hockey in Burringbar, the men’s and women’s teams will be playing this weekend on the grass at the Burringbar Sports Fields, rather than on the normal astro turf.
“On the October long weekend, we have a lot of celebrations planned,” said Alex.
“Our banquet has been sold out, but we have a fun day happening on the Sunday and past and present members are all welcome to attend.
“There will also be a red and white night at the pub.”
As president, Alex’s goal is to help young children playing hockey, by making it as affordable as possible for those who want to get involved.
“This year we have been working to get sponsors to make it easier for kids to play,” he said.
“Murwillumbah Central Rotary Club donated $2,000 for juniors and by doing that, they didn’t have to pay turf fees, only registration.”
If you would like to know more about the Waratah Hockey Club’s 90th year celebrations or would like to sponsor young people to play hockey, you can contact Alex Hetherington on 0431 761 295.
