Vale Joan Stilgoe

Hockey NSW has been saddened by the loss of one our oldest Life Members Joan Stilgoe who passed away peacefully in her sleep after a short illness late last month. 

Joan had been involved with Hockey NSW since 1949 as a player, umpire, coach, selector, volunteer and administrator. She volunteered at local, State and Olympic hockey events, as well as in her local community.

Joan was a member of the Archives/History committee set up in 1980 to record Womens' s Hockey in NSW for 100 years from 1908 to 2008. These records are now stored for prosperity at the NSW State Library.

Along with her husband Ralph, she received a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division, for service to sport and the community in 2017.

Joan was award Life Membership of Hockey NSW in 1979 for her dedication to the sport. She was also a Life Member of Sutherland Shire Women's Hockey Association. 

Hockey NSW send our deepest condolences to Joan's family at this difficult time.

In 2019, former CEO David Thompson spoke to Joan when he presented her with a HNSW Life Member badge. She was kind enough to answer the following questions about her time in hockey. 

1) What is your earliest memory of your introduction to hockey?

I was 15 and was in the Girl Guides when I beat Marjorie Jackson (The Lithgow Flash) in the Girl Guide Athletic championships.  The Athletic Association tried to persuade me to join them but  my Guide Captain and at Dover Heights School my English teacher (Sheila Copp) said “running is a very lonely sport come to hockey – it is a team game - and I will get you into my club Gumnuts”.  On a Saturday afternoon I would play all three games of different grades - if they were short.   I had so many experienced players coaching me in the A grade team and my half back Gloria Willoughby was an Army Officer who  guided me like a robot. In the A grade team were some Australian players Tory and Nancy Wicks, Sheila Copp, are some, who encouraged me and I went to Easter camps and also to coaching sessions at Rushcutters run by Mr. Simkins (Simmy).  

2) What is your fondest memory of your journey in hockey?

I have had the pleasure of playing, coaching and umpiring in Australia and overseas and the wonderful times and the friendships made are still strong. There have been so many happy memories but guess the most precious was when playing with my two daughters -Gayle and Lynda In the Evergreens Club -  winning two ‘A’ grade Metropolitan championships.

3) What would you tell a junior player to look forward to in hockey ?  

 There is so much to suggest but most of all try to learn the skills of the game and enjoy the company of your team mates and play to enjoy and respect others.