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Women's Hockey

Over the last three years the V.U.C. Women's Hockey Club has not distinguished itself either in local competitions or at Winter Tournament. This unenviable record is mainly the result of the inability of players to attend team practices.

This is not an apology for the standard of the play of the club, whose membership, incidentally, has changed almost completely over the last three years.

In 1955 three teams were fielded, one each in the senior A, senior B and junior grades. These teams were ably coached by Mr. Harry Gajadhar, an experienced hockey player. Besides this coaching Technical Old Girls invited the Club to practice with them. Unfortunately it was not a suitable time for most members and the V.U.C. attendance was poor. However, those who did go gained much valuable knowledge.

During the two weeks before Winter Tournament, an Australian Universities women's hockey team toured New Zealand and played matches at the four main centres. The four days spent in the Wellington district were fully occupied with social functions, and two games of hockey against Wellington and Wairarapa. The Australian girls, unaccustomed to soft conditions, failed to win either match.

The Winter Tournament was held in Dunedin in rather trying conditions. Besides the usual games against other Colleges (none of which V.U.C. won) each college played against the Australian team. Those representing V.U.C. were M. Bertrand (captain), E. Crisp, A. Bull, R. Kingsford, J. Hirschberg, A. Wellwood, B. Major, M. Williamson, M. Huntly, C. Pointon and A. McIlraith. None of these players were chosen for the N.Z.U. team. In local hockey J. Hirschberg was selected for the Wellington reps. to play at the N.Z. Tournament and M. Huntly and C. Pointon were selected for the second team. V.U.C. Blues for 1955 were awarded to J. Hirschberg and M. Huntly. The Ralph Trophy for the most improved player of the season was awarded to J. Elder.

In 1956 three teams were fielded in the same grades as in 1955. The club was fortunate in having Mrs. M. Aislabie as selector and, later in the season, Mrs. Elva Love to coach the teams. The 1956 Winter Tournament was held in Christchurch. The V.U.C. team could not handle the muddy conditions and failed to win a game. Those representing V.U.C. were C. Pointon, captain, R. Kingsford, J. Burnett, J. Orwin, M. Lyons, N. Griffin, B. Andrews, B. Saunders, S. Gentry, M. Matthewson, R. Goodwin, J. Buckley and A. McIlraith. Not one of these players was chosen for the N.Z.U. team. The only member of the club to make a representative side was M. Matthewson, who was chosen for the Senior B Reps. She was also awarded the Ralph Trophy for the most improved player. It was unfortunate that no V.U.C. Blues were awarded to the dub in 1956 as, on the season's play, the nominees were certainly up to the required standard.

In 1957 only two teams are being fielded, a senior A and senior B, both of which are to be coached by Mrs. Elva Love.