Wal joined the Club in 1962 as a 9 year old and has been playing continuously ever since. He went on to play A grade, and represented Far North Coast in junior and senior teams, as well as FNC veterans for the last 8 years from 1999 to 2006 and captaining the O50s team in 2004 and 2005, winning the Australian Title in 2005. He was in the men’s A grade premiership winning team in 1983, the first premiership for the men since 1936. Phil coached our minkey and U11 teams. He was part of organisation committee who ran the Club’s carnivals in the 1980s. He was president of the men’s club in 1979 and 1980 and was FNC secretary in 2006 and 2007.
Wal was inducted as life member Ballina Hockey Club in 2004.