Sticking up for UH hockey
As a third former at Heretaunga College, Danella Rennie discovered hockey.
Today Rennie, 47, remains in the game, having finished this season with the local Reserve 3 side .
This month her 30-year contribution to the Upper Hutt Hockey club, at all levels, was recognised at a special presentation evening.
Rennie came to her club after college. ‘‘I had played with the firsts for years as goalie and started with Upper Hutt at Premier 2 which was with the highest team then,’’ she said.
‘‘I was a goalie till I was 35 but it all began to hurt because you are always throwing yourself around. So I joined a lower grade team and today I’m a centre-half or wing.’’
Off the field, she has been an even bigger contributor to the the running of the club.
‘‘I started on the committee when I was 19.’’
Over the decades Rennie has held all positions including women’s club captain, treasurer, long-time president and secretary. Today the club life member is again president, picking up the role again after a return to the committee a couple of years ago.
Rennie, who has also received a Wellington Hockey Association service award, is involved with the governance of the sport through the region.
She has coached and umpired for many seasons at junior and senior level. She mentors up and coming umpires through a club