Hockey: About 150 to celebrate Taieri club centenary

Jenny McDonald.
Jenny McDonald.
The Taieri Hockey Club is celebrating its 100th birthday this weekend, although it is a combined birthday of sorts.

The women's branch of the club began in 1915 while the men's club started in 1965 so it is 100 years for the women and 50 years for the men.

The clubs joined together as a men's and women's club at a later date and will celebrate 100 years with various functions this weekend.

The club has two women's teams and three men's teams, along with juniors, practising their skills in Mosgiel weekly.

The celebrations start tonight with a get-together at the Brooklands pavilion.

Before the advent of artifical turf, games used to be played at Brooklands and the club rooms were shared by the hockey club and the cricket club.

Tomorrow afternoon, the club will have access to the McMillan Turf and former and current players will be able to pickup a stick and test their skills.

A dinner to mark the 100th birthday will take place at the Northeast Valley Bowling Club tomorrow night.

About 100 people will be at the dinner while others will swell overall numbers attending to about 150.

Not a whole lot is known about the start of the women's club in 1915.

However, it is thought with many men away at war, the women's club came about as there were other clubs emerging around Dunedin and the Taieri area.

There will be nine life members present at the celebrations this weekend, including former New Zealand captain Jenny McDonald.

Former Otago and New Zealand wicketkeeper Barry Milburn, who was also a handy hockey player and umpire, is attending the celebrations, coming from Australia.

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