1970

For the 1970 season the club had three senior sides and an Under 16 Boys side, the first junior team. Nairn Ashworth was President, and the committee featured for the first time David Scanlon (with son Simon born that season). The Shire prepared a grassed surface at Davies Park in Maida Vale, which could accommodate two hockey fields.

The Under 16’s played in Division 3, coached by Ralph Blazey and included his son Ian, who went on to be club President in the 1980’s. Other members of the team were M. Dickson, I. Dickson, K. Hopkins, J. Taylor, R. Kerry, S. Rumsey, K. Lyons, H. Todd, S. Todd and R. Harburn. Their first game was played on April 11th at Hamer Park, and while the result isn’t recorded, they finished the season with only 2 wins and draw, 15 goals for and 113 against, suggesting they may’ve struggled a bit.

The B1 Red side just missed finals action, finishing fifth with 9 wins, 6 losses and a draw (58 for, 30 against). With a week to go in the season they held third spot on goal difference, but they finished with an umpiring bye and the other results went against them. A typical team was as follows:

                                    D. Jones

                        J. Webster                     J. Stewart

            K. Ledger                 D. Scanlon                 N. Ashworth

J. Woodburry         G. Lake     R. Miles     S. Kandiah             S. Fairbotham

The seconds, playing in B3 Red, had a much better year. They were top of the ladder mid-way through the season and won the club’s first ever Challenge Cup, 3-2 against Vic. Park, with two goals to Ralph Blazey and one to Jim Longwood. After the qualifying games they were second (11 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw), but lost the semi-final 3-0 to Vic. Park and the Preliminary to University. The thirds in B3 Blue finished eighth from nine (3 wins, 11 losses, 2 draws), the team featuring Joe Bruers, John Ingram and Dave Hocken.

1971

A better year was had in 1971, with Kalamunda finishing third in the Judge & Byrne Trophy (based on the performance of all teams in a club) to South Perth and Cricketers. With Nairn Ashworth still as President, David Scanlon was coach and was also voted best club-man for the season. The committee included Dave Hocken and the legendary goalkeeper (later to be infamous umpire) Joe Bruers. Kalamunda finished undefeated on top of B1 Green, with 13 wins and 3 draws, 47 for and 12 against. They defeated Vic Park 1-0 to win the Challenge Cup (goal to Steve Fairbotham), then defeated Secondary Teachers 4-0 and 4-1 in the semi-final and grand final, respectively. Goals in the Grand final were from R. Cox (2), R. Miles and S. Fairbotham. Fairest and best for the B1 Green side was C. Glass. A photo of the Challenge Cup winning team is shown below, with David Scanlon in the front row, second from right. The team as named for the Grand Final:

                                            J. Bruers

                        C. Glass                             J. Stewart

            J. Baker                     D. Scanlon                     N. Ashworth (C)

R. Miles         J. Woodburry         R. Cox         A. Fewings         S. Fairbotham

Reserves: J. Clarke, N. George, A. Hirt

Back: Nairn Ashworth, John Stewart, Russell Miles, John Woodburry, Alex Fewings, N. George, Steve Fairbotham.

Front: Chris Glass, Roy Cox, Joe Bruers, Dave Scanlon, John Baker.

The B2 Blue team finished sixth (5-6-5), with A. Hirt Fairest and Best. B3 Blue finished the qualifying rounds third (9-4-3), but lost their semi-final to Harlequins. Their Fairest and Best was a young Royce Spencer, eventually a Life Member of the Club but now better known for his umpiring involvement. Mark Weinman featured in the Under 16 Division 3 side, which finished sixth in a ten team grade (15 games, 6 wins, 7 losses, 2 draws, 19 for, 38 against).

1971 also saw the first ever Kalamunda trip to Merredin for a Country Carnival, beating Old Guildford 1-0 in the B Grade final and Nairn Ashworth winning best player of the B Grade competition. The club also raised funds for floodlights, which club-members erected themselves.

1972

In 1972 Kalamunda was promoted to “A Reserve Green”. The grading was quite different back then, with the top four grades A1, A2, A3 Red and A3 Blue. Next were the “Reserve” grades, with Red, Blue, Green and (possibly) White. By modern standards, A Res. Green might be considered between 1B and 1C.

Geoff Rumsey took over as President, with Deryk Jackson and Chris Glass sharing the Vice President duties, Alex Fewings as senior coach and Nairn Ashworth in charge of juniors. There were now senior and two junior sides, U16 Div. 2 and U18 Div. 2, pushing the membership to about 120. Games at Davies Park in Maida Vale were on Saturdays, with training on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. In the club newsletter, women who wished to play were urged to contact Mrs Pat Halden, who organised a team to play each Sunday afternoon in the Hills competition and trained at Davies Park on Thursday evenings. She “hoped to run two teams next year.”

Kala’s top side again led its grade, finishing with 10 wins, 2 losses and 4 draws (43 for, 15 against), 1 point and goal difference clear of Old Halians. Halfway through the season Kalamunda, Tuart Hill and Old Halians all had 6 win and 2 loss records, with Kalamunda on top by goal difference (19 for, 7 against). They went on to lose the Challenge Cup to Tuart Hill.

Early in the season the A Reserve team looked as follows:

                                            J. Bruers

                            A. Hirt                             C. Glass

                    J. Baker             D. Scanlon                 N. Ashworth

J. Woodburry          D. Worsey     R. Cox     A. Fewings                 P. Cockburn

With Dave Scanlon unavailable from the middle of the season, his place was filled by either Kim Ledger or John Ingram.

The seconds in B2 Division Tan (a colour not often used!) also made the finals, finishing third (9-6-1), only one point off second spot. A Reserve lost its semi-final with Old Halians 1-0, while B2 won 2-1 against Y.M.C.A. (goals to C. Spencer and J. Clarke). Both teams lost in the preliminary finals (1-0 and 3-1, respectively). Under 18 Division 2 finished second last of nine teams, while Under 16 Division 2 were seventh of nine.

Trophy winners for the year were:

1972 also saw the birth of Matthew, youngest of Dave Scanlon’s three sons, who became the number one keeper in the club through much of the late 80’s and early 90’s.

1973

Team numbers remained constant in 1973, although the firsts again went to a higher grade (A3 Green). This they found tougher (5 wins, 10 losses and a draw, 27 for, 36 against) but comfortably held the grade (by three points). The thirds made the finals in B3 Green (fourth with 10 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw, 42 for, 33 against), but lost their semi-final to Mosman Park 2-1. Deryk Jackson was president, with Royce Spencer and Nairn Ashworth joint Vice Presidents, N. Rahimtulla the Secretary, Dave Hocken Treasurer and Ralph Blazey club coach. The Under 16s were captained by Mark Weinman, with Dave Newton in that side, commencing his long association with Kalamunda. Senior fees were $20, juniors $8.

A typical team in A3 featured the following (although Nairn Ashworth did play frequently later in the season):

                            Bruers

                Ledger                 Pritchard

            Baker             Fewings         Edwards

Spencer     Kenney     Allanson     Worsey (C)         Davis

The B2 Red side still had the old legends in Blazey and Woodburry, plus John Ingram (known to many in the 90’s as a long-time junior coach) and Chas Spencer.

B3 Tan finished last with 2 wins, 10 losses and 4 draws. B3 Green was fifth (8 wins, 5 losses, 3 draws, 52 for, 33 against), missing finals by a point and goal difference. Under 18 Division 3 came sixth in an eight team grade (6 wins, 10 losses, 2 draws, 28 for, 41 against), while Under 16 Division 3 was eighth from nine teams (3 wins, 12 losses, no draws, 18 f0r, 45 against).

1974

The grading began to take a form that is more familiar to us today, with A3, B2, B3G and B3T becoming 1B, 2C, 3C and 4C, respectively (the club considered it had done well out of the change in grading). Kalamunda grew to 8 sides, 5 senior and three junior. Again the top side did enough to hold the grade, although by a bigger margin this year, collecting 15 points (4 wins, 6 losses and 7 draws, 17 for, 30 against, with a one point fine for late payments to WAHA!), from Rangers (now Stirling City) on 9 points and Old Scotch on 8. A typical 1B side that season:

                                                Bruers

                                    Lushey                 Ledger

                                Blazey         Pritchard         Ashworth

            Kenney         Fewings (C)     R. Spencer     C. Spencer     Worsey

P Madin, J. Johnson and J. Clarke were also in the side at different stages.

Back: Ian Blazey, Derek Worsey, Doug Pritchard, Tom Lushey, Royce Spencer, Alex Fewings.

Front: Nairn Ashworth, Kim Ledger, Joe Bruers, Chas Spencer, Rob Kenney.

[Photo provided by Joe Bruers]

2C finished sixth (6 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw, 33 for, 32 against), while 3C scrapped into the four on goal difference, but lost their semi-final to Secondary Teachers 1-0.

3C (10 team grade)

Reserve 1 were seventh out of 11 sides (5 wins, 9 losses, 3 draws, 36 for, 50 against) and the 5B side (or the Gents) were seventh of nine (4 wins, 9 losses, 3 draws, 18 for, 42 against.

The three junior sides struggled, with only 6 wins between them for the season. Under 13 South had the best results, finishing ninth out of ten teams (3 wins, 14 losses, 1 draw, 15 for, 77 against). Under 17 North (2 wins, 13 losses, 1 draw, 9 for, 38 against) and Under 15 North (1 win, 14 losses, 1 draw, 4 for, 93 against) both finished last.

John Woodburry was President, but retired from playing mid-season. He left the club (and his job as Master in Geography at Penrhos) the next year to start a teaching centre near Albany that would provide alternative short-term courses for metropolitan students. Royce Spencer was again Vice President, this time with Derek Worsey, while Geoff Davis was Secretary, Dave Hocken Treasurer and Alex Fewings coach/chairman of selectors. A notable new member that year was Mark Stibi in the Under 13s. The Kalamunda Shire was suggesting a possible move to other fields in Maida Vale, but nothing came of this.

1975

President: Royce Spencer; Vice-President: Dave Scanlon, Kim Ledger; Treasurer: Mike Perrot; Secretary: Geoff Davis; Committee: Dave Hocken, Nairn Ashworth, Joe Bruers, Wayne Garside, Chas Spencer, Ross Duncan.

Kalamunda stayed at 8 sides in 1975, with 1B, 2C, 3C, 4B and 5B, together with U13, U15 and U17 juniors. Alex Fewings was coach, while the 1B’s were captained by Kim Ledger, with both Chas and Royce Spencer playing up forward and Joe Bruers still the undisputed top keeper. 2C was captained by Dave Scanlon and featured Dave Newton, Mark Weinman, Charlie Calleja (new player that season) and Brian Fewings, with Lee Miles in goals. The Under 13s were captained by Mark Stibi (the top keeper of the early 80’s) and included Dave Ansell. This season Kalamunda struggled in 1B and were relegated for the next season.

Above is most of the 1B side, after playing Mosman Park at Nash Field.

Top: Joe Bruers, Tom Lushey, Royce Spencer, Gerry Chapman, Nairn Ashworth

Front: Ian Blazey, Alex Fewings, Kim Ledger, Roy Cox, Rob Kenney

[Photo provided by Joe Bruers]

* Not to be confused with Michael Peirce, who joined the club in 1978 as a senior and was five-times President in the 80’s.

At the end of the 1975 season a long letter from Alex Fewings was published in the club’s Hotline, bemoaning the fact that the club was effectively being administered by players from the top team. The combination of hard training with committee involvement was leading to burn-out and the loss of valuable players to more social hockey. He felt a more efficient arrangement would see the club run by mature, experienced individuals not training regularly or at all, who would have more time to devote to such matters, leaving the youngsters free to concentrate on playing. He also advocated dropping a team or two for the next season to reduce the burden.

1976

President: Royce Spencer; Vice-President: Bill Edwards, Ian Blazey; Secretary: Wayne Garside; Treasurer: Mike Perrot (then Bill Edwards from May); Committee: Derek Worsey, Mike Chambers, Joe Bruers, Dave Scanlon, Mark Weinman.

Following severe player shortages in 1975, the club went back to 4 senior sides (1C, 2C, 3C, Reserve Blue), but maintained Under 13’s, 15’s and 17’s in the North grades. In response to “substantial” increases in WAHA levies, fees were raised to $35 for seniors and $10 for juniors. The Shire allocated 4 fields to the club – three at Maida Vale and one at Davis Park. Mark Stibi was playing full-back in Under 15s, David Ansell at centre-half in Under 13s. Peter Eaton joined the club mid-season and soon became a regular in the 2C side.

Stan Cook (formerly coach of Scarborough) took over as club coach, and is rated by many as one of the best ever involved with the club. The club had perhaps its best overall season – five of seven teams made the finals, with 1C qualifying second, 2C second, 3C fourth, Reserve Blue third, Under 17N fourth and the Under 13s missing out only on percentage. Kalamunda went on to finish fourth in the Byrne-Judge standings for 1976.

The 1C side started the season strongly with a 4-1 win over old Scotch, and stayed near the top of the ladder for the entire season. The team is shown below after winning the Challenge Cup against Christ Church 2-0 (goals to Royce Spencer and Bill Edwards).

Back: Brian Sherry, Wayne Smithers, Royce Spencer, Rob Kenney, Joe Bruers, Mark Weinman, Bill Edwards.

Front: Chas Spencer, Alex Fewings, Derek Worsey, Stan Cook (coach), Mike Chambers, Nairn Ashworth (with son Ryan, who played seniors in the 90’s).

[Photo provided by Joe Bruers]

Christ Church and Kalamunda were clearly the standout teams in the grade, and they finished well clear of the other teams in the top four, as shown below (together with the final qualifiers in Kalamunda’s other grades):

1C

2C

3C

Reserve Blue

The 1C side lost its semi-final to Christ Church 2-1 (goal to Spencer), while 2C lost 2-1 to Victoria Park (goal to Ledger). However, 3C beat Canning 1-0 and Reserve Blue beat Old Wesley 4-1, to put all four senior sides into the preliminary finals. The 1C’s lost in an upset 2-0 to Redcliffe Rovers, but still secured a return to 1B. The 2C side defeated Mosman Park 2-1 to give the club its only grand-final side of the season (and promotion to 2B for the first time in the club’s history). The 3C side lost their preliminary final against Tuart Hill, while Reserve Blue were beaten 5-0 by Scarborough.

Joe Bruers, Ian Blazey, Dave Newton, Lee Miles, Royce Spencer and John Doepel have all gone on to be badged WAHUA umpires, suggesting the club had much greater depth in umpiring back then. Lee Miles seemed particularly keen during an umpiring bye in April 1976, when he not only produced a two inch ring to measure stick width, but a twelve inch ruler to check the maximum width of goalie pads! That day he rejected no less than eight sticks for overwidth binding.

The Under 17 North side was the only junior side to make the finals in 1976, just scraping into the top four in a six team grade. They also advanced to the preliminary final, although this was due to a forfeit by Old Guildford. The next week they lost narrowly to top side Applecross YMCA 4-3.

Under 17 North

The Under 15 North team finished seventh in a nine team grade (14 games, 5 wins, 9 losses, 28 goals for, 54 against), while the Under 13 North side was fifth of seven teams (14 games, 6 wins, 6 losses, 3 draws, 40 goals for, 60 against), equal on 15 points with the fourth placed side but missing out on goal difference.

1977

President: Royce Spencer; Vice-President: Bill Edwards; Secretary: Rob Kenny; Treasurer: Mark Weinman; Committee: Dave Scanlon, Mike Chambers, Peter Eaton, Dave Hocken, Peter Madin, Joe Bruers. Coach: Stan Cook.

The move was made to Hartfield Park, with the promise of improved facilities and the room for three fields. This season was played without night training, as floodlights weren’t in place, meaning that the main training was on Sundays.

One of the lower teams had long been effectively a veterans team. This year it became official, playing in the newly initiated Veterans grade, with the team organised by Ron Whitelaw. The team also featured the name of Dennis Wills, which may surprise those who know him – surely he’s not that old? It must be remembered that back then, Vets was for players over 35, and that two under-aged players were allowed. The then 29-years-old Dennis, who hadn’t played hockey up until then, actually began his long association with Kalamunda by going straight to Vets. They finished ninth in a ten team grade (14 games, 1 win, 12 losses, 1 draw, 17 goals for, 49 against, 3 points.

The other teams were 1B, 2B, 3C and Reserve Blue, with the same three junior grades as the previous season.

The 1B side late in the season looked like this:

                                                J. Bruers

                                D. Newton                 B. Edwards

                M. Weinman                 B. Sherry                 D. Wilson

R. Spencer         R. Bartlett         W. Smithers         R. Smith         C. Spencer (C)

A typical 2B side that season:

                                                P. Schlawe

                                I. Blazey                             M. Dale

                P. Eaton                     W. Garside (C)                 D. Hocken

M. Ruck             M. Chambers         K. Eaton         J. McGuckin         A. Whitelaw

Ron De Jong was also a frequent member of this side. Unfortunately, both teams finished in the relegation zone, showing that a big step-up in class was required then as it is now. The 1B side was second from bottom (5 points above Bas. Morley), 3 wins, 10 losses, 4 draws, 15 goals for, 33 against and 10 points from 17 games. The 2B’s were equal on 7 points with Old Guildford but bottom on goal difference (15 games, 1 win, 9 losses, 5 draws, 9 goals for, 29 against).

The Reserve Blue side also struggled, finishing sixth in an eight team grade, with 7 wins and 10 losses, 33 goals for and 29 against. The 3C side provided the one shining light for the season, beating Perth 2-1 in the Challenge Cup, and qualifying for the finals in second spot, well clear of the remainder of the grade, as the top four results show:

3C

In the Under 15 North side, Mark Stibi and Andrew Lean welcomed the goal-scoring talents of John Bestall, on his way to greater things. The team finished sixth out of ten teams (17 games, 9 wins, 8 losses, 34 goals for, 54 against, 18 points). The other two junior sides struggled, with Under 17 North second-last in a nine team grade (16 games, 1 win, 13 losses, 2 draws, 17 for, 85 against, 4 points) and Under 13 North last out of eleven teams (17 games, 1 win, 14 losses, 2 draws, 7 goals for, 102 against, 4 points).

1978

President: David Scanlon; Vice-President: Nairn Ashworth; Secretary: Peter Birch; Treasurer: Kevin Hopkins; Committee: Glen Price, Derek and Freda Worsey, Wayne Smithers, Rob Kenney, Dave Hocken, Kim Ledger.

Lights were installed in time for the start of the season. While construction of the Hartfield Park Recreation Centre commenced, this wouldn’t be available until the next season. The Hartfield Park Advisory Committee, with representatives from all sports that used the grounds, was also formed.

Summer hockey was introduced for juniors, playing under indoor rules on the old tennis court surface of the Kalamunda Club at Stirk Park.

Dave Scanlon and Nairn Ashworth were President and Vice President, respectively. Kim Ledger, a committee member, was also providing sponsorship, hence it was intended to place ROTORMOTION badges on the players shirts. Unfortunately, this was disallowed by WAHA, on the basis that it was against international rules!

The club had 5 senior sides (1C, 2C, 3B, 4C and Vets A) and 4 junior sides (U11, U13, U15, U17). The 1C side late in the season looked as follows (although Derek Worsey also made odd appearances):

                                                    J. Bruers

                                    D. Newton             T. Lushey

                M. Weinman                 I. Blazey                 A. Fewings (c)

A. Whitelaw            R. Smith         R. Kenney         R. Heath         R. Spencer

A typical 2C side, captained by Charlie Calleja, is shown below. Other names to play in that side during the season included Royce Spencer and Dave Hocken. Well-known names in the 4ths were John Maher and Dave Hartley.

                                                K. Hopkins

                                D. Wilson                 W. Edwards

                C. Calleja (c)                 P. Eaton                     C. Dawe

M. Spykers         W. Smithers         J. McGucken         M. Pearce         W. Garside

The 1C side missed out on playing in the Challenge Cup, but improved after that to qualify second in a tight grade, with Robert Heath (ex YMCA who played for WA) scoring 12 goals for the season.

1C

They defeated Redcliffe Rovers 2-1 in the semi-final, with Andrew Whitelaw equalising to force the game into extra-time. Joe Bruers saved a stroke in the first period of extra-time. Andrew Whitelaw scored again for the win, sending the club back to 1B. Kala defeated Rangers 3-1 in the grand final thanks to goals from R. Smith, R. Kenney and R. Heath. The “Old Master” Nairn Ashworth was used off the bench to great effect.

Kalamunda’s 2C side finished sixth of nine teams (15 games, 5 wins, 7 losses, 3 draws, 15 goals for, 20 against, 13 points), while the promoted 3B’s were last (16 games for 15 losses and a solitary draw, 10 goals for, 44 against). The 4C side finished in fourth spot (16 games, 7 wins, 7 losses, 32 draws, 37 for, 24 against, 16 points). Their 3-0 win against Willeton was crucial in scrapping into the finals. The Veterans were ninth out of eleven teams (17 games, 5 wins, 11 losses, 1 draw, 30 for, 51 against, 11 points).

Mark Stibi was still playing full-back, this time for the Under 17 North side, with John McGucken up forward. They finished sixth out of eight teams, with 6 wins and 12 losses from their 18 games, 26 goals for and 48 against. Paul Berry, Scott Clingan (goals), Don Miller, Doug Kirkwood, Rod Love and Neil Gordon were in Under 13 North, which finished eighth from twelve teams (17 games, 4 wins, 10 losses, 3 draws, 12 for, 46 against). The Under 11 North side was full of talent, with Andrew and Mike Love, Jon Burgess, Simon and Andrew Scanlon, Damien Pavlinovich, Steve Stewart and Mark Lewis (who according to the end-of-season Hotline, was “showing new potential as a solid hitting fullback”). Mike Love scored 31 goals for the season. They played in the club’s only Challenge Cup for the season, losing 1-0 to Perth. After going on to finish top in a nine team grade (16 games, 14 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, 52 goals for and 13 against), they won their semi-final against Perth 4-0, with Mike Love scoring 3 goals and Patrick Willix 1. However, they lost the grand final, again falling 1-0 to Perth. The Under 15 East side were fifth in their eight team grade, 6 wins, 8 losses and a draw, 24 goals for and 48 against.

Fairest and best for the Under 17s was John McGucken (now a Veterans player at Mods), Stephen Berry for the Under 15s and Andrew Cassidy for the Under 13s.  Our inaugural Under 11s side finished top of the ladder and won the grand final.  The picture below shows from the left Patrick Willix (partly obscured), Mike Love, Andrew Love, Simon Scanlon, Mark Lewis, Matthew Scanlon (plain clothes, not playing) and Jon Burgess (holding pennant). The woman in red is Janet Burgess (team manager) and to her left is Janet Scanlon.

1979

With the Recreation Centre now complete, the club now had access to rooms within a 100 yards of the hockey fields, and while this was considered a great advance, it still wasn’t the same as having dedicated clubrooms. Dave Scanlon and Nairn Ashworth continued their leadership roles.

Bill Colquhoun was appointed coach of the 1B side. The club had 6 senior sides (also 2C, 3C, 4C, Reserve Green and Vets) and now 6 junior sides. The Vets had famous names from the clubs past such as Ray Thompson, Steve Fairbotham, John Doepel and Alan Lean, with Ralph Blazey possibly even making the odd appearance. Steve Rawlings appeared at the club that year, and was used in the 1B’s (a large full-back who shouldn’t be confused with the much smaller Steve Rawling who joined in the 90s and now plays Vets).

The 1B side early in the season looked like this:

                                            J. Bruers

                                D. Newton         B. Colquhoun

                Ian Blazey             M. Weinman                 B. Sherry

R. Spencer         R. Smith       J. McGucken         R. Heath         A. Whitelaw

By late July, the committee asked Bill Colquhoun to step down in response to the poor performance of the 1B side. Dave Newton took over fitness training, Mark Weinman as captain, and Nairn Ashworth as overall Director of training. Eventually Kalamunda did just enough to retain 1B status even with only six points for the season, seeing Redcliffe Rovers and Christ Church relegated (bottom three places on the ladder shown below).

1B

Peter Evans was playing at the club, but as one “Hotline” announced, he “celebrated his promotion to the second side by getting transferred to Port Hedland.”

The 2C, 3C and Reserve Green sides all made Challenge Cups that year. The 2C score was 0-0 with Redcliffe Rovers when bad light stopped play (the final results was a 2-1 win to Redcliffe). 3C defeated Christ Church 7-6 (Ledger 3, D. Smith 2, Chapman, Ashworth) on penalty strokes, while Reserve Green lost to Fremantle 3-2 in extra time.

The same sides also qualified for the finals (top four positions shown below). The 4C side just missed out on finals by goal difference, finishing fifth from eight teams (18 games, 8 wins, 7 losses, 3 draws, 38 for, 26 against, 19 points), while the Vets B were also fifth from seven teams (16 games, 6 wins, 8 losses, 2 draws, 34 for, 35 against, 14 points).

2C

3C

Reserve Green (7 teams)

The 2C side was eliminated in the first week of the finals, losing 2-3 to Old Guildford. 3C lost their semi-final to Christ Church 3-0, and the following week were eliminated 1-2 by Rangers.

The Reserve Green team consisted of Peter Birch (captain), Dave Scanlon, Max Dale, Paul Bailey, Dave Hartley, Ross Duncan, Keiron Sutton, Vince Arthur, John Ingram, Glen Price and Charlie Calleja, with Steve Taylor in goals. They were relieved to have avoided Whitford in the finals, having lost to them twice in the regular season. The team advanced straight to the grand final by beating Fremantle 3-2 in the semi (having lost to them 5-0 the previous week). Paul Bailey was carried off in the semi after he scored the winning goal running into the back of the net at full speed. In the grand final against Fremantle, Dave Scanlon missed two penalty flicks in the first half, and the team was down a goal before Ross Duncan scored his only goal of the year. Max Dale then converted two penalty corners (off hand stops by Peter Birch), and Keiron Sutton a corner rebound before Fremantle scored late, giving Kalamunda a 4-2 win.

1979 Reserve Green Premiership team

Back row: Vince Arthur, Kieran Sutton, John Ingram, Ross Duncan, Charlie Calleja, Max Dale, Steve Taylor.

Front row: Glen Price, Peter Birch (captain), Dave Scanlon, Paul Bailey, Dave Hartley.

[Photo provided by Peter Birch]

The Under 17 North side was last in an eight team grade (a win and two draws from 16 games, 13 for and 74 against). The Under 15 North side contained Pat Bunday (a top-squad player of the 80s) and Chris Little, who tragically died in the late 80s while piloting a plane that crashed in the goldfields. They ended the season second last out of ten teams, with a win, 14 losses and 3 draws, 16 for and 74 against. Mike Love moved up to Under 13s, where he joined Brett Tyrie. Under 13 North were last of ten teams, with just two wins and a draw from their 18 games (22 goals for, 93 against). Under 13 East fared much better, finishing fourth of nine teams with eight wins and a draw from 16 games (29 for, 25 against).

Under 11s now had all three Scanlon boys (Simon, Andrew, Matt) as well as Mark Lewis (a permanent fixture in the top sides since the mid-80s, life member and Club President). They stared the season in Under 11 East, and played in the Challenge Cup, losing 6-0 to Victoria Park. At that point of the season the best teams were drawn out of the regional grades to form an Under 11A grade (the first “A” junior side for the club). They finished sixth of eight team in that grade, with their 9 games yielding 2 wins, 6 losses and a draw, 4 goals for and 27 against.

1990

President: Kim Ledger. Committee: Maurice Gouldthorp, Margaret Beaton, Sally Gouldthorp, Phil Fawell, Richie Griffiths.  Mens Coach: David Audesho.  Minkey Co-ordinator: Ray Stevens.

In the decade from 1980 to 1990, WAHA went from 49 to 38 clubs, and by 1990 the 2D, 1E and 2E grades had long disappeared.  However, Veterans hockey had grown from to grades to five, plus Junior Vets (over 35) and Vintage (over 50).

When Kalamunda had last played in 1D’s back in 1986, the grade had been highly competitive, although the lower teams were lacking in depth.  However, the grade had been reduced to only 6 or 7 teams in the years afterwards.  Kalamunda found itself in a grade with Curtin University (prior to their merger with Trinity), Whitfords, Kwinana, Bullcreek, Canning and Khalsa Club (essentially a team of Indians playing together).  Other men’s grades within the club were 2C, Metro 5A, Metro 5C and Junior Vets.

The season also started with a new President.  Kim Ledger, with son Heath now playing Under 13’s, wanted to improve the status and standard of his old club, even before learning of the top-side’s relegation after the 1989 season.  He proposed an ambitious plan for the construction of a world-class facility with two synthetic fields as well as spacious clubrooms that would include an indoor field.  Detailed plans were drawn up and put on display within the existing clubrooms at Hartfield Park.  After long negotiations with the Shire, a site in Maida Vale was selected, but concerns from the local residents, particularly on the potential impact upon a native turtle, soon cast the future of the site into doubt.

Kim’s first action was to gain the services of David Audesho, a prominent Classic League player, as a playing coach.  Andrew Scanlon returned to Kalamunda, while Rob McPherson (a former state Under 19 and WASPs player now living in the Hills) was recruited.  Dave Audesho then initiated perhaps the most intense pre-season preparation in the club’s history, which included a three day training camp in Boddington for the top squad. Other members of the squad included Mike and Adrian Edel, Brett Tyrie, Dave Newton, Dave Ansell, Mark Lewis, Jon Burgess, Jim MacPherson, Warren Noddings, Mike Love, Mike Mitchell and Jason Esschert.  Phil Fawell and Matthew Scanlon rotated as goalkeepers through the 1D and 2C sides, with Under 17 Stephen Miller also used later in the season.  The veteran Graham Ryan came in to captain the 2C side.

Artist’s impression of Dave Audesho at training, July 1990.  Note the portable lights, arranged by Kim Ledger and a noisy feature of the 1990 season, allowing night training to be rotated across the fields.

The benefits of their preparation were seen from their first real test – a first round R&I Cup clash with 1B Trinity.  The match report was as follows:

A small, but vocal crowd was gathered at the stadium to see

Kalamunda’s R&I Cup first round match with Trinity.

Trinity were casual and relaxed, expecting an easy night, I’d bet

For against a 1D side, they should hardly raise a sweat.

But Kalamunda is a different side since being relegated,

Much fitter now, well-prepared, and highly motivated.

The game began quite evenly, with both defences to the fore

As chances came at each end, but neither team could score.

And then the whole game changed, as Kalamunda took control

When Warren Noddings hammered home a brilliant solo goal.

Now the Kala side was playing with confidence and skill;

A Jon Burgess goal before half time made the score two-nil.

The second half commenced with Kalamunda often in attack

But the crowd could sense a change; Trinity were fighting back.

Then our full-back saved a certain goal (but didn’t use his stick).

And Nick Barrett scored for Trinity with a well converted flick.

The score was now two-one, and Trinity began to dominate

But time was running out – had they left their run too late?

Yes, the crowd was quite relieved (and is it any wonder?)

When the final whistle blew to seal a win to Kalamunda!

To outplay a club that later finished top of 1B was an unprecedented achievement for a 1D side of predominantly home-grown players.  This win ignited the team for the coming season, in which they didn’t drop a point on their way to winning the Premiership.  They just missed out on scoring 100 goals in the qualifying rounds, while only conceding 7.  They lost in the second round of the R&I Cup to Hale (who contested promotion to Classic League with Trinity) with a slightly flattering scoreline of 2-0.Curtin provided them with their biggest challenge in the semi-final, which Kalamunda only won narrowly (5-4), while the grand final was won comfortably.

1990 “Undefeated” 1D Premiership side

Back: Matt Scanlon, Warren Noddings, Dave Newton, Mike Mitchell, Brett Tyrie, Peter Barney, Jon Burgess, Dave Ansell, David Audesho (coach).

Front: Mark Lewis, Andrew Scanlon, Adrian Edel, Chris Tyrie, Rob McPherson.

The 2C side was much less dominant, suffering an upset loss to Murdoch to miss out on the Challenge Cup, before finishing a clear second to Northern Districts after the qualifying rounds.  They lost narrowly to Northern Districts in the semi-final played on field 2, but then defeated Newman 2-1 on grass to qualify for the grand-final and assure the club of a return to 2B for the first time since the 70’s.  The grand final was lost to Northern Districts 2-0.

The Metro 5A side was led by Mike Snadden and included Todd Dunstan (goalie), John Russell, John Angove, Nick Aves, Jamie Gouldthorpe, Mal Butler and John Maher.  The 1D women were coached by Damien Pavlinovich, with the side including A. Beaton (C), S. Boogaard, J. Batory, T. Bryant, J. Beaton, N. Smythe, K. Kennedy, J. Gordon, J. Bannini, K. Lawrence and K. Kitson.

The club fielded ten junior sides, one of which was an Under 15 Girls team with Megan Andrews, Kelly Hammacott (now Kelly Dwyer) and Jo-Anne James.  In the boys grades there were 17C, 15D South, 15E South, 13B, 13D North, 13E North, 11B North, 11D North and 11C South.  The Under 15D South side was the most successful, winning the Challenge Cup, Minor Premiership and Grand Final.  However, the Under 13B side was perhaps the most talented, with Glen Ryan, Heath Ledger, Mark Loohuys, Scott Wills, Chris Bradfield and Ben English.  Dennis Wills was the coach, while on the side-lines the parents provided a wealth of hockey knowledge, with Graham Ryan, Kim Ledger, Henk and Else Loohuys and Eric Bradfield.  Over the season, which included grading games, a carnival in Narrogin and finals, they played 28 games for 21 wins, with 3 draws and 4 losses, 63 goals for and only 17 against.  Chris Bradfield scored 14, followed by Glen Ryan on 11.  They won the Challenge Cup and Minor Premiership, but lost the second semi-final to Old Aquinians 2-0, and the following week in the preliminary final were without four players (suffering the flu) and lost 2-1.  In a team with many stars, Glen Ryan stood out to win the Best Player trophy, a sign of what he was to deliver in later years.  Goalkeeper David Hearnden was awarded the Most Improved.

The team in typical positions:

     M. Stevens      G. Ryan         C. Bradfield          B. English           D. Dawson

              B. Pomatti                 M. Loohuys                   H. Ledger

                             D. Steinbeck                S. Wills

                                            D. Hearnden

Reserve: M. Efford

Under 13B

Back Row: David Hearnden, Damian Dawson, Daniel Steinbeck, Ben English, Scott Wills, Heath Ledger, Mark Loohuys.

Front Row: Ben Pomatti, Michael Efford, Chris Bradfield, Glen Ryan, Michael Stevens.

The Under 11B North side also went to the finals  (winning the Minor Premiership and Grand Final) with players of the calibre of Ian Gamble, Glen Linstead, Brandon Dale and Deray Imre, while Under 11C South featured Ross Hillier and Under 11D North Clinton Mihala.  The Under 17C South side claimed the Minor Premiership.

1991

President: Kim Ledger, Vice-President: Dave Newton, Aileen Moore, Secretary: Janet Scanlon, Treasurer: Graham Ryan.

Prior to the season, the club installed extra light poles at Hartfield Park, which meant that the noisy, portable lights used in the previous season were no longer required.  Plans were also submitted to the Shire for extensions to the existing clubrooms, but these were rejected.

The 1C’s finished top of their grade, with 27 points (11 wins, 5 draws and no losses), 33 goals for and only 8 against.  They lost the grand-final to Bayswater-Morley in the last 10 seconds of the game, but had still achieved the amazing leap from 1D to 1B in only two seasons.

The seconds also did extremely well in their first season in 2B, finishing fifth with 15 points (5 wins, 5 draws, 6 losses), 22 goals for and 22 against, missing finals by only one point.  Metro 5A also finished fifth, while Metro 5C finished seventh.  Graham Ryan achieved State Veterans section in 1991.  The Metro women were eighth, while both Hills Womens teams made the finals.

The Masters side finished in second spot on the ladder to Melville, but an injury to their regular goalkeeper meant they had to seek permission for Joe Bruers (now 41 and not having played since the early 80’s) to keep for the finals.  This was granted and they went on to defeat Melville in the grand final.  The side was captained by Alan Mihala and included his brother Glen, Ian Gould, Ray Barry, Graham Ryan, Mike Robinson, Ken Byrne, Dave Hocken, Mal Butler, Gary Adams and Chas Spencer.

The outstanding team amongst the juniors was the Under 11A North side (coached by Max Dale), which won all three flags available in its grade.  The team included Brandon Dale, Matthew English, Glenn Linstead, Clinton Mihala, Ian Gamble, Matthew Stevens, Ian Gamble, Deray Imrie, Linton Allen, Matthew Jeffreys and “Captain Ross”, who we assume was Ross Hillier.

 Under 17C also won their flag after qualifying third.  Under 13A and 13C finished seventh and fourth, respectively, while Under 11B North and 11C North were fifth and sixth, respectively.

Kim Ledger’s companies were feeling the effects of the recession, and by late 1991 there were strong doubts that the planned development of the private club site would go ahead.

1992

President: Kim Ledger, Vice-President: Dave Newton, Aileen Moore, Secretary: John Boogaard, Treasurer: Graham Ryan.  Committee: Brett Tyrie, Ray Barry, Margaret Beaton, Jodi Beaton, Trina Bajdo, Tanya Ryniker, Ritchie Griffiths, Kevin Taylor, Ian Gould; Juniors: Dennis Wills.  Senior Men’s coach: David Audesho.

The newly promoted Kalamunda side played its first game in 1B’s in over a decade, winning 2-0 against Cowan University.  It was a convincing victory, goalkeeper Robbie Cameron (previously at Mundaring) only touching the ball while retrieving it from the gutter on Field 1.  On April 11, 1992, they lost 2-1 to Dale (goal scored by William Wong) – this represented the top side’s first loss in a regular season match in over two seasons.  The next round they rebounded with a 4-2 win over Bayswater-Morley, gaining some revenge for the grand final loss the previous season.  Other players in the side included the perennial Warren Noddings, with the new players Ron Glew (from Dianella), Nathan Bridge, Paul Draper and Peter Draper.  Robbie Cameron’s first stint at Kalamunda was short-lived – coach Dave Audesho was critical of his keeping and announced he was to be replaced by Matt Scanlon.  However, at late notice he needed Robbie to start in the 1B’s for 15 minutes, thus allowing Matt to play both 1B’s and 2B’s for a week.  Robbie agreed, but walked of after exactly 15 minutes and didn’t return to the club until the 1995 season.  Dave Audesho’s intensity as a coach and high expectations of players inspired some but also alienated others, leading to a significant turnover of players in the early 90’s.  David Ansell was one Kalamunda stalwart who chose not to return after the 1992 season.

Other mens grades for the season were 2B, Metro 5A, Metro 5C, Metro 6B.  Their was no Masters team in 1992, with many of that side playing in the Metro 5C side.  “New” faces in the seconds were Dave Newton, Rob Smyth (goalkeeper), Peter Buick, Jon Burgess, Brett Tyrie and Mark Lewis.  Dave Clements and Jim McPherson also played.  Metro 5A featured Steve Rowling, Graham Jackson, Mark Giolitto (captain) and Mike Price. The only senior side to achieve major success was the Womens Grade 11 side, which qualified second for the finals but won the Premiership, giving the club its first flag in WAWHA competition.  The Grade 7 women were sixth on their ladder.  The 1B men were a creditable sixth in the first season back in that grade, while the 2B side were fifth.  Metro 5A made it to fourth before losing in the First Semi-Final.  Metro 5C and 6B both finished fifth.

The best performed junior side was for the first time a girls team, with the Under 17B team (coached by Else Loohuys) winning both the Minor Premiership and Grand Final.  The next season there were no junior girls to make up a team.  The Under 17C South boys team (coached by Graham Ryan) also claimed a Challenge Cup win.  They finished second on the ladder, but lost the Grand Final.  Early in the season they recorded an amazing 20-0 win over Canning Districts, with Brendan Heal (“Cactus’), scoring six, Karl Morton 5, Glen Ryan and Steve Uetake (“Sushi”) three each, with singles to Leith Gregory, Craig Dickinson and Chris Middleton. The side also featured Ben Rowcroft in goals, while Mark and Daan Loohuys also played.  Each of these players went on to play in the top two senior sides, making it one of the most productive Under 17 sides in the club’s history.

Under 15C South, featuring Simon Fitzgerald, finished fourth on the ladder and also made it to a Grand Final, which they lost to Curtin-Trinity.  Under 15C East, with Andrew Watts and Lyle Robertson, finished eighth.  The photo below shows the Under 15C South team after their Grand Final – note that Lyle Robertson was brought up to the side for this game.  Tim Jones, then in year eight, should really have been playing Under 13’s, but couldn’t make their Saturday morning fixtures.

Under 15C South Grand Final team (taken at Trinity grass fields)

Back:????, Zac Schonberg, Chris Bradfield, Dennis Wills, David Hogan, Andrew Simms, Scott Wills, Chris Stoddart.

Front: Nathan Grumball, Simon Fitzgerald, Ben Pomatti, Chris Schonberg, Lyle Robertson, Tim Jones.

The Under 13A and 13C East (with Andrew Walker and Jerome Goerke) sides finished equal fifth and fifth, respectively.  Under 11B were third and lost their Semi-Final 1-0, while Under 11D (with Nick Gamble, Chris Griffiths and Danielle Ingram) were fourth and drew their Semi-Final (opposition therefore progressed) .

The 1992 season closed with Kalamunda well entrenched in the 1B/2B grades and good junior depth.  However, by the end of the year it was clear that the club’s dreams of a world class hockey facility were effectively over.  With business pressures ending Kim Ledger’s close involvement in the club, much of his (and his committee’s) good work unravelled in 1993, and Kalamunda would spend several more seasons recovering.

1993

President: David Newton.  Committee: John Boogaard, Ian Blazey, Margaret Beaton, Sally Gouldthorp, Kevin Taylor, Margaret Howe, Mike Snadden, Russell Bourne, Stuart Maddison, Jon Burgess, Jenny Fitzgerald, Sheryl Taylor, Ray Barry.  Juniors: Dennis Wills.  Senior Men’s coach: Ron Glew.

Kim Ledger did not renominate for President, and this role was filled for the first time by David Newton.  Kim was also not in a position to offer the same financial support to the club, and this contributed to the departure of men’s coach David Audesho to Melville City in early 1993.  At late notice Ron Glew accepted the coaching position and maintained his playing role.  He would either play or coach at Kalamunda for the remainder of the decade.

Andrew Scanlon joined David Audesho at Melville City (and is still there today), and his younger brother Matthew also departed, leaving Kalamunda without a Scanlon in the club for the first time in 25 years (Matthew returned for a season in 1995).  John Baker was playing in the 1B side but left part way through the season to concentrate on his coaching role with the Canning Districts women.  Todd Dunstan found himself elevated from the thirds to be the number one keeper, and 1993 proved to be his most outstanding season.  The team’s first game resulted in a 1-1 draw with Rockingham, which seemed a reasonable start.  However, Rockingham were destined to finish last, with just two wins and two draws for the season.  As string of losses followed, including a 5-0 loss to Bunbury in the first round of the R&I Cup.  The 1B side lacked pace and cohesion, and despite some good results (such as a satisfying upset win over Melville), they finished second- last (three wins, two draws) and were relegated.   Bayswater-Morley were able to earn a point from their last game of the season to sneak above Kalamunda to third-last.

Despite the difficulties experienced by the 1B side, Kalamunda went on to achieve its best ever result in the 2B grade.  In 1993 2B still consisted of only nine sides, with all qualifying games played on grass.  The 2B side was captained by Brett Tyrie with coaching support from Mike Snadden.  The team also occasionally called upon the services of Jamie Snadden, and in one game against Curtin-Trinity the addition of Gerard meant all three Snadden brothers were on the field.  David Newton had a young Sean Hamilton with him at full-back, while Phil Fawell returned to WA from two seasons with the Essendon Hockey Club to be 2B goalkeeper.  Ben Rowcroft, then Under 17’s keeper, also made his senior debut in the 2B side. Two former juniors established themselves as regulars in the top squad in 1993 – Karl Morton had been a goal scorer in Under 17s, but developed as a close tagging defender in the 2B’s, while Darren Chiari began to show signs of the damage he could cause on the wings.

Their season didn’t start well, and after six games they were second last (1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses).  The grade was dominated by Curtin-Trinity (down from 2A), Willetton and Modernians, but Kalamunda sneaked into the final four (6 wins, 3 draws, 7 losses, goal difference +2) despite a less than 50% match ratio, with the extra satisfaction of pushing Melville out of the finals, thanks to a win over Riverside in the last qualifying game.  This was the club’s first (and to date only) appearance in finals at 2B level.  Modernians had beaten Kalamunda twice on grass, and seemed to assume they’d have no trouble repeating this for the semi-final played on Field 2. However, much of the Kalamunda side had been regular turf players in previous seasons, and recorded a comfortable 2-0 upset.  Unfortunately they couldn’t play at the same standard the following week, going down 7-0 to Willetton.

Metro 5A finished second-last in a nine team grade.  The Metro 6B Side, with John Boogaard, Kevin Taylor and Peter Evans, also featured a new player in Marty Campbell.  They performed well throughout the season, and players in the higher grades were noticing in the match reports that Marty was scoring quite heavily.  However, when asked about him, Marty’s team-mates insisted he wasn’t a great player, just “quite fast.”  This proved to be a major (and deliberate) understatement – Marty’s amazing pace and desperate tackling style became a feature of the top sides over the coming seasons, as were the goals he scored after winning balls in seemingly impossible situations.  However, for 1993 he remained well hidden in the Metro 6B side, which just missed out on playing in the Challenge Cup.  They went on to win the Minor Premiership, but lost the Grand Final to Suburban (goalkeeper Cory Jones arrived late, and the side was already a goal down by the time he was padded-up).

                                        Metro 6B Minor Premiers 1993

Back row: John Boogaard, Stewie Maddisson, Brett Maddisson, Jeff Hortin, Marty Campbell, John Angove, Mike Price, ??

Front row: Cory Jones, Peter Evans, Mal Butler, Kevin Taylor, ??, ??

The Masters side finally graduated to Veterans, but were forced to start in the lowest grade (Veterans F).  This they dominated, winning all three available flags in an undefeated season.  This included an 8-0 win over Hale in the Challenge Cup (despite Ian Gould being carted off to hospital after collecting a ball between the eyes).  At halfway through the season, their record was 8 wins from 8 games, 49 for and just one against.  Their only blemish on the season was a solitary draw.  Alan Mihala won the team’s Fairest & Best trophy.

Ian Blazey coached the Metro Grade 7 women’s side, which featured Sandy Boogaard, Kerrie Kitson and Kayleen Morton.

Margaret Howe was elected onto the 1993 committee as Minkey Coordinator, commencing the long involvement with juniors that would see her awarded Life Membership later in the decade.  Graham Ryan again coached the Under 17 side to the finals, this time in “B” grade.  Finals didn’t seem likely after a poor start to the season, and having to play qualifying games to even make the grade.  However, in the second round they went undefeated, winning six and drawing one.  The side had Ben Rowcroft in goals, Mark Loohuys, Chris Stoddard. Chris Middleton, Scott Wills, David Smyth and David Hogan.  Carl Pedrotti and Craig Dickinson were used in both the Under 17B and C sides.  They made the first Semi-Final against Willeton, but lost on a penalty shoot-out.

The Under 17C was coached by Dennis Wills, while the club also had Under 15B South (finishing 7th of 8), Under 13A (5th of 8), Under 13 Regional South (4th of 10), Under 11A and 11 South-East (8th of 9).  The Under 11A side was under the control of John Ingram, who had by this stage closed his long playing career.

1994

President: David Newton, Secretary: John Boogaard, Committee: Margaret Beaton, Sally Gouldthorp, Sheryl Taylor, Phil Fawell, Ian Gould, Kellie Starcevich, Mike Snadden, Margaret Howe.

Mark Weinman retired, while many of the remaining players attracted to the club in the Ledger/Audesho years filtered away to other clubs.  The grand dreams that had kicked off the 1990 season seemed on the surface to have failed.  However, the club was stable at 2B level, and this provided a valuable platform for the development of players throughout the 90’s.  Kalamunda also gained vastly improved lighting through the Ledger presidency, which was further upgraded in the late 90’s.  Perhaps most importantly, the brief taste of 1B hockey after a decade away from it gave the club an incentive to not settle for 1C again.

With the top side back in 1C, coach Ron Glew commenced on a rebuilding process.  Marty Campbell could no longer be hidden, and despite his police duties limiting his availability, he became a top squad fixture for the remainder of the decade. Marty’s pace on the field was always amazing, but it was possibly exceeded by “Cactus” Heal, back to play seniors for the first time.  An amazing gifted runner, Cactus also amazed with his laid-back, placid attitude, and it was hard to be too angry with him even when he turned up for a turf game without shoes, socks, shin-pads or even a stick.   Dave “Rowdy” Clements returned and has been a cornerstone of the team in every season since.  Murray McKechnie was enticed back to play his first full season of senior hockey and Mark Loohuys graduated from Under 17’s to play most of the season in the top side.  Glen Ryan and Carl Pedrotti played full seasons in Under 17’s while doubling up in many games of 1C and 2B  Craig Whittome enticed Dave Corboy over from Dianella, while Peter Buick, Dave Newton and Mark Lewis added experience. Todd Dunstan was still the first choice keeper.

The knock-out competition for the R&I Cup had become the Bankwest Cup, and by 1994 was slowly dying in importance.  The hockey season had become too long, with Classic League clubs showing little interest, particularly in the early rounds.  However, the competition still had one final memorable moment for Kalamunda when drawn to meet 1B side Melville City, coached by David Audesho.  The game was drawn as a Kalamunda home game, and was therefore played at Hartfield – David and Melville would’ve preferred a turf game.  With the 1C side largely exhausted from a win the previous night, a number of younger players were used to bolster the squad, with Craig Dickinson performing well and Duncan Bell excelling in a tagging role.  The final score was a satisfying 4-3 win (two goals each to Darren Chiari and Murray McKechnie).  In the second round, Kalamunda lost 4-2 to Classic League North Coast Raiders (goals to Craig Whittome and Marty Campbell), the closeness of the result due to the efforts of Todd Dunstan in goals.

The 1C side performed poorly in the second half of the season, losing 1-0 to bottom side Mundaring and eventually only just avoiding the relegation zone.

With Dave Newton returning to the top side, Sean Hamilton shared the full-back duties in the 2B side with Craig Dickinson. Steve Uetake also graduated from junior ranks to play as a forward.  Regulars in the side included Phil Fawell (goals), Mike Snadden (captain), Peter Smith, Steve Stewart, Nantha Satgunasingam, Graeme Jackson, while Peter Buick, Duncan Bell, Darren Chiari and Karl Morton played 2B’s when not in the 1C side.  Peter Buick was actually dominating the best player voting until he was required to play the last third of the season in the top side.

With a large number of younger players in the side, the 2B’s struggled, collecting just four wins and two draws for the season, enough to be above the relegation spots.  The four wins came against the two bottom sides and one draw (1-1) against Blades.  Perhaps the best result of the year was a 1-1 draw with Melville City (David Audesho again coaching) played on the main stadium.  Kalamunda made it into the attacking circle just twice in the game for one goal, scored by Darren Chiari.  Melville were in attack for much of the remainder of the game, with keeper Phil Fawell having his best game for the year in only conceding an equaliser.  When the two teams met again in the second round, injuries meant a number of Metro 5A players were called upon by Kalamunda; the result this time a 9-0 win to Melville.

Metro 5A: Simon Van Weiss, Jamie Duggan, Gio, Ben Rowcroft, Dale Dreezens

Metro 5B: John Boogaard, Kevin Taylor, Stewie Maddison, John Angove, Jeff Hortin

After winning the F-Grade so convincingly in 1993, the Veterans side had skipped a grade to play in Veterans D.  Again they dominated, and despite losing the Challenge Cup to Dale, they claimed both the Minor Premiership and the Premiership (and Alan Mihala was yet again Fairest & Best).

Veterans D Premiers 1994

Back row: Dave Hocken, Peter Robinson, Ken Byrne, Mike Robinson, Max Evans, Richie Griffiths, Graeme Fletcher.

Front row: Glenn Mihala, Ted Thacker, Ian Gould, Ray Barry, Graham Ryan, Peter Hobson, Steve Rowling, Alan Mihala.

Absent: Russell Bourne.

The Metro Women’s side played in Division 9, with the most prominent player being Joanne Baker, enticed across from Canning Districts.  Her friend Cyndi Nicholson also joined, and the two had a major influence on the club.  They filled in regularly with the Hills women and with Craig Whitome and Dave Corboy, provided much of the drive for social activities that season.  The Metro women finished seven out of nine teams in Division 9, with 3 wins, 1 draw and 12 losses, 10 goals for and 40 against.  The Hills women that year included Ally Beaton (in goals), Jodi Beaton, Tanya Ryniker, Ann Clancy, Kellie Starcevich, Kelly Linstead and Eleanor McKechnie, with guest appearances by Debbie Glew and a very young Lisa Glew, making her senior debut.  

Graham Ryan coached the Under 17B side, which included his son Glen, Chris Stoddard, Carl Pedrotti and Simon Fitzgerald, all who played seniors that year.  Others in the side were Scott Wills, Andrew Watts, Jeremy Selley, Ben Orrell and Lyle Robertson, with Mark Whittaker in goals.  They lost the Challenge Cup to Fremantle, but ultimately met Old Aquinians in the grand final (having beaten them 2-0 in the semi), played on the main stadium during heavy rain – pools were formed on the surface, making hitting and passing difficult.  Kalamunda dominated for much of the game, but failed to score, with the result decided on a penalty shoot-out, which Kalamunda lost narrowly in controversial circumstances.  A stroke taken by Old Aquinians appeared to miss off the crossbar, but the umpire on the base-line (Joe Bruers, as it happens) called it a goal, claiming that in its downward path it had crossed in, before bouncing on the line and spinning out. 

The Under 13A side, coached by Ken Byrne, was also highly talented, with Ross Hillier, Matthew Howe, Daniel Byrne, Grant Mappin, Michael Byers and Matt English (goalkeeper).

John Ingram coached the Under 11A side, which featured Grant Fitzgerald, Nick Gamble, Ross Giolitto and Danielle Ingram.  Nick Gamble moved as an Under 17 to Old Guildford, while the Giolitto family moved to the northern suburbs and linked with Joondalup, but Grant Fitzgerald became one of the club’s best junior prospects, and was a senior top-side regular in 2001.

Dennis Wills had been talked into completing Level 1 coaching qualifications by Matt Scanlon back in 1990, then received Level 2 accreditation the following year.  This clearly assisted in his junior coaching at Kalamunda, where he oversaw the development of many players now in senior ranks, as well as running Level 0 and 1 courses.  His efforts were recognised in 1994 with his appointment as State Under 14 Development Coach, a position he held for three seasons. 

In late 1994, the Forrestfield Women’s Hockey Club, who had used our fields for many seasons for a nominal fee, agreed to a merger that would take effect in the 1995 season.  Marjory Stanger from the Forrestfield Club was elected as a Vice-President for the coming year.

1995

President: Dave Newton; Vice-President: Ian Gould, Margaret Beaton, Marjory Stanger; Secretary: John Boogaard; Treasurer: Sally Gouldthorp; Committee: Phil Fawell, Joanne Baker, Margaret Howe (Juniors).

The Forrestfield Women’s Hockey Club had ended the 1994 season with several teams in the Metro grades (finishing second in Grade 7 and third in Grade 10) as well as the Hills competitions, and it was thought that the merger would substantially increase the number of women’s teams in the club.  Amazingly, in 1995 the club gained just the one extra Metro women’s side and maintained its two Hills sides, as most of the women who had played for Forrestfield evaporated away.  There were undeniable tensions between the merged groups of women, particularly over selection into the Metro sides.  The wide range of ages and experience within the squad may also have been a contributing factor.  Such issues hung over the club for several seasons.

Keen to ensure that it was a merger and not a take-over, the new committee decided that it was inappropriate to make the Forrestfield women totally relinquish their old uniform.  After much debate and numerous modifications, Phil Fawell eventually produced a design that met with the approval of both groups.  The red skirt, common to both clubs, was maintained while the Kalamunda socks were adopted.  The shirt was predominantly white (consistent with Forrestfield), but now with a “spray” of red and blue dots diagonally across the front, together with a KDHC logo.  The shirt was ready early in the season, and some felt that the men should adopt this shirt in 1996.  However, a number of other clubs adopted a predominantly white shirt around this time, effectively ending any consideration of the Kalamunda men doing the same.  The women’s shirt has remained unchanged in the years since.

Robbie Cameron returned to Kalamunda, this time leaving the goals to become a key forward (later earning the distinction of being perhaps the only person in the history of the club to play in every single position for the top side).  The 1C side now had Glen Ryan and Simon Fitzgerald playing seniors on a more regular basis, together with Mark Loohuys, Duncan Bell, Darren Chiari, Dave Corboy, Craig Whittome, Dave Clements, Murray McKechnie, Marty Campbell and Ron Glew.  Simon Nelson also walked in one night looking for a game and became a fixture in the forward line.  Todd Dunstan started the season in goals, but then moved to the south-west of the state for work.  Phil Fawell was brought back into the top side for several games until the return of Matt Scanlon, who kept for the remainder of the season.  Karl Morton spent the season at Curtin Trinity, before returning in 1996.

The 1C season started with a game on the main stadium against Stirling City (formerly Dianella), which Kalamunda dominated for lengthy periods.  However, the team still found itself down 2-1 late in the game, and it took an amazing individual effort from Robbie Cameron to earn a draw in the last 30 seconds.  This typified a season in which the team promised much but couldn’t deliver consistently.  They had some great performances, including a 1-0 upset of Rockingham in which Matt Scanlon showed why many considered him the club’s best keeper of the 90’s.  Unfortunately, Matt’s knees were no longer up to the rigours of a regular competition, and this was to be his last ever season of hockey.  The team qualified in fourth spot, but were easily beaten in the elimination semi-final by Murdoch University.  Murray McKechnie, who’d had disagreements with coach Ron Glew in the weeks leading up to the finals, was frustrated by the time he spent on the bench during this game, leading to his premature “retirement” from the game.  An occasional spectator in the following years, he even assisted with preseason training by supervising a kickboxing session.  In 2001, Murray was convinced to play a game of 1B hockey, in which he showed glimpses of his old style (even earning a yellow card for old times sake).

1995 also saw the return of Warren Noddings, not as a forward but in the totally unaccustomed role of full-back.  He shared this role with Dave Newton until a serious back injury and subsequent operation ended his season with four games to go.  Warren went on to win the best player trophy for the side from Jon Burgess and Peter Buick, but then went back into retirement in 1996, this time permanently.  Other regulars in the side included Mike Snadden (captain), Phil Fawell, Scott Wills and Nantha Satgunasingam, better known to his many fans by then as “The Snake.”  As became the tradition for the 2B side, over 30 players were tried in the season, with Craig Whittome, Andy Smythe and Marty Campbell used in both of the top teams.  Mark Sandhu also gave the side the benefit of his great experience.  The side finished just out of the finals (5th, 6 wins, 1 draw, 9 losses), but were in with a chance up until the last week.

Phil Fawell announced his intention to “retire” from keeping in the 2B grade late in the season, and organised for Ben Rowcroft and Scott Little to replace him in selected games.  Lyle Robertson, captain of the Under 17’s, made his senior debut in the last regular season game for the 2B’s, showing his obvious class in gaining several best player votes.  He also earned his first senior yellow card for appealing too strongly that a free hit should’ve been upgraded to a short corner.  Lyle would go on to be a cornerstone of the top side in each following season, and along with Robbie Cameron, perhaps the clubs most consistent performer at 1B level from 1997 onwards.

The club dropped to having only three senior men’s sides (staying at that level ever since), but compensated by expanding to two Veterans sides for the first time.  The Vets B side “drew” their grand-final against Melville at Stevens Reserve in Fremantle, having scraped into fourth spot and qualifying through the elimination semi-final (only the Minor Premiers gain promotion to Veterans A).  Scores were level after extra time, and the captains agreed to call it a draw (much to the annoyance of star goalkeeper Peter Hobson, who was fired up for the penalty shoot-out).  

1995 Veterans B “Joint-Premiership” side

Back row: Max Evans, Graeme Fletcher, Ken Byrne, Mike Robinson, Glenn Mihala, Richie Griffiths, Peter Hobson, Ted Thacker.

Front row: Peter Smith, Ray Barry, Graham Ryan, Steve Rowling, Alan Mihala, Ian Gould.

Missing: Peter Robinson.

Playing back-to-back with Vets B, the Veterans F (after finishing second on the ladder to Hale) also won their grand final against WASPs.  The grand final team is shown below.  Gary Fitzgerald (father of Simon and Grant), a strong badminton player and very fit by Vets standards, was a crucial player in their successful season.  Unfortunately, a knee injury the next year would prevent him from playing again.

1995 Veterans F Premiership side

Back: Dave Hocken, Dennis Wills, Peter Benzie, Andy Kirkpatrick, Gary Fitzgerald, Mal Butler, Royce Spencer, Peter Coppin, Richard Lamb (?)

Front: Andrew Creelman, Ivan Vidot, Dennis Sawyers, Chas Spencer

The Metro 5D side was perhaps the strongest played by the club in that grade for many years, with Dale Dreezens dominating up forward and Jamie “Figjam” Gouldthorp a light-hearted but still desperate full-back.  John Boogaard, Kevin Taylor , Jeff Hortin and John Angove provided many years of experience at slogging it out on grass surfaces against physical opposition with minimal umpire involvement.  Key to the team’s success were its youngest players.  One was Ben Rowcroft, in his second year of senior hockey and probably unlucky not to be in the 2B side.  The other was Scott Little, a state indoor keeper who had never played field hockey. The two alternated in goals throughout the season, benefiting greatly from the hard work their team’s loose style of defence gave them.  They easily won the Challenge Cup against WASPs, a hard and uncompromising team that would be their nemesis in the following years.  These teams met again in the second semi final, with top side WASPs winning a penalty shoot-out 13-12.  Kalamunda thought it had won earlier in the shoot-out, but the umpires ruled that John Angove had taken his stroke prior to the whistle being blown.  The following week they lost the preliminary final in regulation time to a much younger JTA side.

Despite the disappointment of missing the grand final, the “thirds” (now a combination of the third and fourth sides) had been very competitive, and with so much experience in their side, looked forward to the coming season.  Little did they realise the side had made its last finals appearance for the decade, and would not have a winning season again until 2001.

The Under 15B side were second in their grade, losing the grand-final 5-1 to a very strong Willeton.  This team would prove to have a great influence of the club, with thirteen going on to play senior hockey at Kalamunda at different stages.  Ian Gamble, Matt Howe and Aaron Basinski were to be regular senior players in 1997 while still in juniors, with Kevin Nagamany and Ross Hillier not far behind.  Josh Harris, Evan Walker and Jerome “Jezza” Goerke would drift away from hockey, only to return in the 2000 season to make their senior debuts, Jezza becoming the natural successor to Marty Campbell in terms of energy and pace.  Mark Pepper waited until 2001 to play seniors, gradually improving that season to become a very reliable and thoughtful defender. The Under 11C South-East won their minor premiership but lost the grand final.

Under 15B

Back: Justin Morse (Assistant Coach), Clinton Mihala, Geoff Gole, Adrian Welton, Tristian Healy, Ian Gamble, Josh Harris, Evan Walker, Jerome Goerke, Daniel Byrne, Neil O’Hora, Ross Hillier, Ben Buchanan, Dennis Wills (Coach).

Front: Kevin Nagamany, Justin O’Hora, Aaron Basinski, Mark Pepper, Matthew Howe.

Some of the above Under 15’s are also seen in the following photo of the Under 17 side, coached by Graham Ryan.  10 of the 14 pictured went on to play senior hockey at Kalamunda

Under 17B

Back: ???, Andrew Watts, Clinton Mihala, Tim Jones, David Lima, Andrew Walker, Ian Gamble, Glen Ryan, Mark Whittaker, Evan Walker.

Front: Graham Ryan (coach), Arun Satgunasingam, Lyle Robertson, Simon Fitzgerald, ???

1996

President: Marjory Stanger (up to 21/3/96), Mark Lewis (21/3/96 onwards); Vice-President: Phil Fawell, Norma Gordon; Secretary: John Boogaard; Treasurer: Sally Gouldthorp; Committee: Ron Glew, Joanne Baker, Margaret Howe (Juniors), Fiona Wood (Minkey).

A typical 1C side in 1996 lined-up as follows:

                                                    Scott Little

                            Sean Hamilton                            Mark Lewis

            Craig Dickinson                     Dave Clements            Duncan Bell

    Robbie Cameron     Lyle Robertson     Marty Campbell        Glen Ryan        Darren Chiari

Simon Fitzgerald was also used as a full-back/half-back, while Karl Morton was used both forward and back.

The side qualified for the Challenge Cup with second place in the 12 team grade, but were thrashed 5-0 by Joondalup.  Kalamunda’s form deteriorated from that point, and it took an upset win by Mundaring against Canning Districts and a Kalamunda win in the last round for the side to scrape into the finals (18 games, 9 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses, 12 points adrift of Minor Premiers Joondalup).  In the elimination Semi-Final against Murdoch, they were 1-0 down, but fought back for a 2-1 win.  This was repeated in the Preliminary Final against JTA, Darren Chiari scoring in both games.  Kalamunda went into the Grand Final against a Joondalup side that had dominated the grade, but who were stunned to find themselves 2-0 down, thanks to goals from Marty Campbell and Glen Ryan.  Joondalup dominated the final 20 minutes of the game, scoring once themselves and earning a series of late short corners.  However, Kalamunda held on for perhaps their greatest Grand Final victory.

1996 1C Premiership side

Back: Marty Campbell, Simon Fitzgerald, Darren Chiari, Craig Dickinson, Craig Whittome, Scott Little, Dave Clements, Karl Morton, Sean Hamilton, Richard Atkinson, Duncan Bell.

Front: Glen Ryan, Robbie Cameron, Lyle Robertson, Ron Glew (Coach), Mark Lewis.

In contrast, the 2B side had a tough year, although they ultimately were able to hold the grade comfortably (sixth with 4 wins, 1 draw, 11 losses), despite using 28 different players.  The season started badly, playing Westside Wolves (relegated from 2A) in the first game, and losing captain Mike Snadden to a serious knee injury before half-time.  This proved to be Mike’s last game as a player, a sad end to a decade as a player for Kalamunda, as well as many seasons as a senior mens coach.  He would later coach the Metro women, but is now better known for his Under 11 and Under 13 coaching, as well as being the father of Luke and Jake Snadden, two exciting junior players.

Rob Smyth returned to the club to join his brother Andy, but a shoulder injury prevented him from wearing his pads.  Instead he became a full-back in the 2B side, and exceeded all expectations.  Mark Sandhu returned and provided much needed experience in defence.  The gentle giant Luke Kirwan joined the club and provided a physical presence in an otherwise very short forward line (finishing fourth in the best player voting).  Ryan Ashworth played, while Ian Gamble made his senior debut 2B late in the season and was voted player of the match.  Craig Whittome had his strongest season for the club and won the best player trophy, with Marty Campbell a close second despite only playing in two-thirds of the games.  In third place was Ben Rowcroft, largely thanks to his outstanding form in the early games when the team was under the most pressure.

Despite missing out on the Metro 5D grand final in 1995, second place on the ladder was enough to secure promotion of the Kalamunda thirds to Metro 4B.  Goalkeepers Scott Little and Ben Rowcroft had deservedly been elevated to the 1C and 2B sides, respectively, but Phil Fawell’s “retirement” meant he was back with team-mates he’d originally kept for back in 1985.  The season started with a stunning victory – playing away with only 10 men against WASPs, they somehow won 2-1 despite defending for most of the game.  Several weeks later they won at home against Vic Park.  That proved to be their last points for the season.  Dale Dreezens had little support up forward, but the defence held up well against quality opposition each week (such as top side Fremantle, featuring Butch Worth).  The main positive for the season was the arrival of Andy Thomas from Adelaide, who became the heart of the team at centre-half.  He was runner-up to Phil Fawell in the best player voting (despite missing the first four games), but was to play his best hockey in the following seasons in the 2B side.

The Veterans B side again won their Premiership, but also again missed promotion to A grade by not qualifying in first spot.   In fact they came into the finals in fourth spot (7 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses), defeating the more fancied Raiders, Suburban and Hale in successive weeks.  Alan Mihala won the first of three successive Fairest & Best trophies in this grade.

1996 Veterans B Premiership side

Back row: Chas Spencer, Andrew Creelman, Max Evans, Norm Brooks, Graham Ryan, Ron Glew, Alan Mihala, Peter Smith, Graeme Fletcher, Glenn Mihala.

Front row: Ian Gould, Ray Barry, Peter Hobson, Mike Robinson, Steve Rowling.

Absent: Mark Bradford, Ken Byrne, Richie Griffiths, Peter Robinson, Ted Thacker.

Under 17C finished first in a 10 team grade.

Matthew Howe and Ross Hillier gained selection in the “South East Region Combined” (SERC) for the Under 15 State Championship, finishing fifth in “A” Division.