Hockey NSW Introduce New and Returning Faces to The NSW Hockey Board

Hockey NSW are pleased to introduce fresh and returning faces to the Hockey NSW Board as they announce the 2023 members in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Hockey NSW today.

During the AGM, a returning and a new board Director were elected in accordance with the Hockey NSW Constitution. Alexandra El-Shamy was appointed as a new Director while Corinne Rochester was re-appointed. Two new Life Members, Kathy Calokerinos and Judith Laing, were also appointed during the meeting. Kathy was nominated by the Hockey NSW Board of Directors while Judith was nominated by Newcastle Women's Hockey Association.

These individuals will bring in fresh ideas and perspectives to help drive the success of Hockey NSW in 2023. The returning and new additions have an in-depth understanding of the sport, as well as important links to key stakeholders and the community.

Hockey NSW would like to congrulate the 2023 Board members and are looking forward to their positive contributions to the ongoing growth and success of Hockey NSW.

Alexandra El-Shamy

Alexandra has played hockey for almost 40 years, starting at the National Park (Newcastle) when she was 6. She represented Newcastle and NSW in every age group, with the exception of U21s where she played for the ACT whilst at University for 3 years. Alexandra coached Club, Association and NSW teams and was selected at Club, Associations and NSW levels.

Alexandra was administered as President of an Association and a Director of HockeyOne and worked as a professional Sports Administrator for over 20 years with specific expertise in the commercialisation and marketing of sport. She continues to be a passionate and vocal advocate in sport, at all levels and in the strengthening of our communities.

Corinne Rochester

Corinne is passionate about Hockey and has been involved with all levels of Hockey for over 15 years. In 2022, Corinne was appointed a Director, bringing a wealth of professional experience, knowledge and diversity to the existing Board.

Corinne was a Board Member of Sydney Hockey Association and is also the former Club President of UNSW Hockey Club (2016 – 2018 inclusive).

Corinne’s passion for hockey started as a Year 7 student at St Vincent’s College Potts Point when she put her hand up to play the position of Goalkeeper. Corinne has continued to enjoy playing, coaching, managing, expanding and developing her knowledge of the game throughout her life.

Professionally, Corinne is a People and Development Consultant who holds a Master of Commerce and Bachelor of Science (Psychology).

Kathy Calokerinos

Kathy Calokerinos (aka ‘Kath Cal’) is a self-described “hockey tragic” with a distinguished and ongoing legacy within the hockey community for her service as a player, umpire and administrator to the sport starting at the grass roots level. Kath Cal started her hockey journey at school in Manilla, NSW

After moving to Sydney, Kath began playing for UNSW Hockey Club in 1984 where she played and coached until 2015, enhancing and imparting her wealth of knowledge and experience to everyone she meets. In her playing time at UNSW, Kath has played for every grade including goalkeeper for first grade against Alison Annan. Kath was UNSW Club President for 5 seasons from 2001 to 2004 and inducted as a life member of the club in 1999. As President received the University “Club of the Year 2000” and as an administrator Kath was recognized with the university’s “Sports Recognition Award 2003”. Kath’s welcoming nature has seen her open her house up to members of the hockey community who are in need of somewhere to stay and a place to belong.

Kath currently plays for SEHA in masters and has done so for twenty years and coaches SEHAs representative junior teams at state championships. Today as the President of Sydney East Hockey Association (SEHA), Kath inspires her committee to advocate for what is best for the sport at a local association level and across NSW.

Judith Laing

Judith Laing took up hockey as a teenager with Eastwood on recommendation of her PE teacher at MLC Burwood, making the state open team only a couple of years after taking up the sport. She joined Oxfords Hockey Club in 1979 and also made her first NSW Opens team that year.

Whilst playing and coaching at Oxfords, Judy represented Newcastle as a State player from 1979-1990. She also captained the NSW team for a number of years and acted as Assistant Coach whilst playing in the team - winning the national championship in 1984 and finishing as runner up in 1987 and 1989. She also played Indoor for NSW from 1984-1986 – being captain and leading goal scorer in 1984.

In 1992, Judy became the first recipient of a one-year “Women in Sport Scholarship” from the Australian Sports Commission that provided development opportunities to expand her coaching knowledge and expertise. In 2001, she relocated to Perth where she held the position of High Performance Manager of the Hockey Australia / AIS women's program. In 2007, Judy returned to a role with Hockey NSW and NSWIS as a coach for the Emerging Athlete Program (EAP), where Judy’s coaching and mentoring influenced many young players from across NSW who went on to represent Australia.

Judy left Hockey NSW and NSWIS, taking on the role of coaching Newcastle’s promising juniors and state age players through the subsidised Rising Stars program. She has also returned in recent years to her Newcastle ‘roots’, mentoring coaches and players at Oxfords Hockey Club, where she is a Life Member of her club and of Newcastle District Women’s Hockey Association.