ONE HUNDRED and seventy former players from all over NSW turned up to celebrate Gloucester’s diamond anniversary in Hockey this month. Hockey began in Gloucester in 1955 and has been one of Gloucester’s most successful sports. Players have been selected for zone, regional, state and national representative honours in the NSW Hockey Association, state high and primary school competitions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In 1985 the Gloucester High School boys team won the NSW Wales Cup defeating Tamworth in the final. The Gloucester Primary has reached the final on eleven occasions and won the PSSA final five times in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1986.
In state association finals Gloucester won the under 13’s. Senior B and Senior C finals have won the Manning Valley A Grade competition fifteen times and B Grade five times and C Grade twice.
They have played in Newcastle competitions and made grand finals in B and C Grades, played New Zealand in Gloucester in 1957 and played United States in Gloucester in 1978.
Senior players represented Manning Valley on many occasions in 1968, nine of the Manning eleven were from Gloucester players. On two occasions Rex Barrett, Ollie Rinkin, Keith Atkins and Daryl Hile represented Manning Valley against Great Britain and New Zealand. Terry Bradley, Rex Barrett, Bruce Snape, Stephen Coombes, Daryn Yates have all represented NSW in Vets and seniors. Rex, Stephen, Bruce and Daryn represented Australia with Rex and Daryn in the Gloucester Hall of fame.
Celebrations were held on Saturday July 18 at the Gloucester Bowling Club.