Ballina Hockey Club

About us

Ballina Hockey Club is a successful and friendly hockey club based in the sea side town of Ballina on the NSW east coast of Australia. We are one of the oldest clubs in our Association established in 1930. We have senior, masters and summer twilight sides offering elite development and social hockey. We have thriving junior teams providing coaching and games for children aged 4-17.

A community

Our home ground is at the Ballina Hockey and Sports Complex, an international standard water-based turf.

The Club boasts both men’s and women’s A-grade teams which compete in the Far North Coast Hockey Association.

  • whatever your age
  • whatever your ability
  • whatever your ambition
  • you can enjoy hockey with us

 

The Club is a non profit organisation run by volunteers and aims to foster and promote the game of hockey at all levels. We have men and women senior teams and junior teams for boys and girls. We also have an U7 Minkey competition for preschoolers.

In the summer months a social twilight hockey competition is held.

On the social side (and we are very good at that) our Club holds social events, family and junior fun days as well as our annual (roll out the red carpet) senior and junior presentations.

Ballina is situated at the mouth of the Richmond River on the Far North Coast of New South Wales, and boasts some of the most beautiful surfing beaches and picturesque headlands on the east coast of Australia.

History

Ballina hockey was established in the late 1920s. The women first established their club followed by the men shortly after. The exact date of the start of hockey in Ballina has been lost in time but recourse to old newspaper articles published in the ‘Northern Star’ (our local newspaper), indicate Ballina boasted a men and a women’s team in 1929. A Far North Coast Men’s Hockey Association point score published in August that year showed Ballina men were on the bottom of the table.

Competition hockey officially dates from 1930 with both men and women teams finding success in their early years. With the women winning their first grand final in 1933 and the men in 1936. Gordon Whitehead was the Club’s first state representative player selected in 1937, followed the year after by Laurie Felsch in 1938.

After a brief lapse during the early years of the World War II, the Club reformed in 1944 and continued to grow with its home grounds at Clement Park (now Ballina High School grounds, McDonald Park). The fields at the time were maintained by Club members.

By the early 1950s the Club boasted our first junior teams, with our boys winning their first major premiership in 1958.

The 1980s saw a strong dominance of our A grade women under the coaching of Joy Teakin, they won 5 out of 7 grand finals during this period. 1988 saw the amalgamation of the men, women and junior clubs as a united Ballina Hockey Club.

2000 saw our Club’s 70th reunion. A booklet outlining the Club’s history in greater detail including old newspaper clippings and photos was researched and compiled by Chris Abbott and Maureen Bradbury (& others) for this auspicious occasion.

Ballina Hockey Club dominated the Mens’ Far North Coast A Grade competition in the 2000’s winning the A grade premierships in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and runners up in 2006. As one of the oldest clubs in the Association its continued success has been attributed to the great camaraderie that has always existed within its players and loyal supporters.

Timeline

1929
First Ballina teams enter the Far North Coast Association competition.
1930
Ballina Men and Women Hockey Clubs formed.
1937
Ballina’s first NSW state representatives selected (Gordon Whitehead).
1950
First Ballina junior boys’ team enters the Far North Coast competition.
1979
The Club’s home grounds (grass) changed from Clement Park (now Ballina High School grounds) to Kingsford Smith Park .
1980
Amalgamation of men and junior boys’ clubs.
1983
Ballina junior girls and Ballina High School teams become part of the women’s club.
1983
A breakaway ” East Ballina ” Club formed (rejoining in 1986).
1983
The brick club house at Kingsford Smith Park , jointly operated with Ballina Netball Association, was completed.
1984
Flood lights installed at Kingsford Smith Park (relocated from Hampton Park ).
1986
Ballina’s first Australian representative player selected (Nikki Roche, Australian U21).
1989
Ballina men and women clubs amalgamate.
1992
Ballina boasted the most state and NSW country junior representatives of any club in NSW.
1992
The Club commences procuring an artificial surface at Kingsford Smith Park (unsuccessfully).
1994
Sand-based turf built at Goonellabah. All first and second division games now played on the turf.
2006
The Club submits a development application to Ballina Council for the construction of a water based turf at Kingsford Smith Park .
2007
Creation of the Club’s website.
2010
Application for turf approved and funding obtained. First sod turned for the artificial surface in August.
2011
Ballina Hockey and Sports Complex (turf and new club house) completed and first games played in March.

Life members

2023
Mark Stanger

2023
Anthony “Molly” Meldrum 2023

2017
Chris Eather ‘Chrisy’

2016
Steve Hunter

2016
John Parker ‘JP’

2016
Alison Porter ‘Al’

2010
Jennifer Grant ‘Jenny’

2004
Phil Garred ‘Wal’

2000
Gordon Whitehead ‘Pippy’

2003
Gavin Garrett ‘Gav’

1999
Chris Abbott ‘Abbo’

1998
Maureen Bradbury ‘Mausey’

1997
Graham Brown ‘Towzer’

1996
Trevor Dancer ‘TD’

1992
Joy Teaken ‘Joyful’

1992
David Reardon ‘Dave’

1987
John Winkler ‘Wink’

1983
Colleen Wills

1982
Alexia Harriss ‘Lexie’

1971
Connie Clark

1958
Stephen Lutton ‘Steve’

You want to book our turf?

Check availabilities.

Insurance

Registration of players and officials through Hockey NSW includes coverage by their player accident insurance policy. Personal injury cover provides financial assistance in three key areas:

  • non-Medicare medical benefits
  • loss of income benefits
  • capital benefits

In case of injury

  • Inform your coach/team manager about the injury, and if relevant, note the injury on the match card
  • Contact the Club Secretary as soon as possible and report your injury in writing
  • Note the injury will need to be reported to the insurers within 30 days, so don’t delay
  • Log on to the Hockey NSW website and submit your claim.
 

Who is covered?

players, coaches, trainers, umpires, officials, volunteers.

What is generally covered

  • physio
  • chiro
  • dental
  • ambulance transport
  • public hospital accommodation

What is generally NOT covered

  • doctor’s fees
  • surgeon’s fees
  • anaesthetist’s fees
  • X-rays
  • public hospital costs
  • MRI scans

Further information

Hockey NSW: https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/associations/insurance-intro/

  • sports insurance information
  • insurance claim instructions
  • how to make a claim

Enquiries

secretary@ballinahockey.org.au

In Case of Injury

Registration of players through Hockey NSW includes coverage by their player accident insurance policy. If you’ve been injured while playing or training and wish to make a claim, here’s what to do:

  • Inform your coach/team manager about the injury, and if relevant, note the injury on the match card.
  • Contact the Club Secretary secretary@ballinahockey.org.au ASAP and report your injury in writing.
  • Note the injury will have to be reported to the insurers within 30 days, so don’t delay.
  • See Hockey NSW website for information on:
  • sports insurance information
  • insurance claim instructions
  • how to make a claim

Visit Hockey NSW’s insurance page under Resources: www.hockeynsw.com.au