Saints congregation celebrate milestone
THE venue has changed, most of the people are different, but the spirit and zest for hockey is exactly the same after 50 years at Saints Hockey Club.
The club was amalgamated in 1967, bringing together Catholic school-based teams on Cairns’ southside, and will celebrate the milestone as one of the region’s most successful clubs with a black-tie gala dinner on May 6.
About 150 under-8 and under-9 players still represent their school when they run around at Pezzutti Park, Woree every Friday night for an in-house competition and plenty more junior and senior teams compete as part of Cairns Hockey Association.
But while those at Saints love nothing more than lifting premierships, it’s about much more than that for those who built the culture of success.
You would scarcely believe life member Glenyce Stock has been playing at Saints for 44 years and she still does, in masters, after playing her part in a pioneering A-grade premiership run in the 1970s.
Saints won six women’s titles from 1972-1977 and Stock, who was also a key driver of St Gerard Majella coming under the umbrella in 1993, was part of the champions from 1973. 1982 — Saints win Bungalow Bakery Trophy as best club for 10th consecutive year 1984 — Windarra Street Committee formed 1985 — Robyn Holmes played in Los Angeles Olympics 1985 — The Windarra Street Committee finalises decision for new Saints clubhouse 1987 — Last of four women’s A1 consecutive premiership wins with Greg Connolly 1988 — Saints clubhouse constructed at Windarra St, Woree
“I actually started with St Francis Xavier school before Saints as a club in 1965,” she said.
“I had to have eight years off to have three children so I suppose otherwise I would have been playing for a bit longer.
“I’ve been very lucky that I’ve always been in a winning grand final, quite a lot actually. 1990 — Senior men play in first grand final 1994 — Saints win five out of six senior grand finals contested. Div 1 Ladies win premiership 1995 — Cindy Morgan represents the Australian Junior Youth squad 1999 — Men’s inaugural A Grade premiership 2000 — Rhylee Swain played for Australia at the Indoor World Cup 2005 — Don “Plute” Dolan becomes the first player to reach 500 games 2006 — First joint premiership for
“Nobody else I played with is still playing, I’m it, but a lot of them are still around and I’ll be really looking forward to seeing them at the dinner.”
Darryl Duda played in the first men’s A-grade premiership team in 1999, breaking a 22-year drought for the men.
Grassroots sports clubs are built on a family atmosphere and his is one of the names both men and women 2007 — Saints contests seven out of 10 senior finals, winning four 2010 — Second joint premiership for both men and women 2011 — Saints win Club of the Year 2012 — Five women’s premierships 2013 — Saints women win title in overtime for third consecutive season 2014 — Third joint premiership for men and women 2015 — Saints wins Club of the Year synonymous with Saints. Duda’s mum played in the early premierships, his brother was president and he also took the helm himself for a few years to do his bit to keep the club going strongly. Tickets are available for the 50th Anniversary Black-Tie Gala at the Reef Hotel Casino on May 6. Contact Mikala Duda on 0419 675 831.