Cheryll Brown Uniteds 21/05/19
Life Member and President
Uniteds Hockey Club
Maryborough
Uniteds Hockey Club has been part of the MDHA for more than 50 years, a wonderful achievement for an amateur sport. Cheryll has been an integral part of the club for at least 50 of those years. Cheryll’s involvement in hockey extends beyond her beloved Uniteds.
She has worked tirelessly for Maryborough Hockey and held positions with Hockey Queensland through her work with Queensland State Teams. The MDHA would like to present this profile of Cheryll and congratulate her on her commitment and valued contribution to the sport we all love. Happy reading!
How did you first get involved in hockey?
Through My aunt Betty Gadd, who was at that time involved with Uniteds Hockey Club.
How many years have you been involved with hockey in Maryborough ?
I started playing in 1967 and am still involved and playing in 2019.
Why did you choose hockey as the sport for the family?
My parents never played hockey, but it was was a sport that all my sisters and brother could play. We lived close to the hockey fields, so it meant that Mum, Dad and Grandma Ivy could come and watch and support us every week. Lots of our friends from school also played hockey, so that was an added bonus – playing with school friends. I carried on this same tradition with my own daughters.
What teams/clubs did you play for?
- West State School (West Hockey Club) – the team was called “Bluejays”
- Uniteds Hockey Club – current – approximately 50-51 years
- Wallaroos Masters (when Uniteds did not field a team in that division)
What involvement have you had in hockey – club, rep, state, national?
Club: I have been involved in all aspects of the Uniteds Hockey club and was honoured and proud to receive a Life Membership for my contribution to the club over many years. I have held the positions of President, Secretary and Club Delegate multiple times during the course of my involvement with the club and currently hold the position of President.
I have coached every division within our club at one time or another, both Junior and Senior, taking many of these teams to Premierships in that time. I currently coach our Division 1 and 2 Women’s teams. I have umpired for my club in all divisions – and continue to umpire in 2019.
MDHA: I have been lucky to have played for many Maryborough Representative teams from juniors to seniors and masters. I have been a Selector and Coach for Representative teams, from Juniors through to Senior Women, with a large focus on the development of our players. During my time representing Maryborough, I have also officiated as an umpire at numerous tournaments.
On the administrative side of hockey. I was the MDHA Secretary for many years, responsible for the draw through the Permits and Fixtures Committee, allocating umpires on a weekly basis as a member of the Umpires Board of Control, and spent from 2001-2015 as the MDHA Development Officer. In this role I was able to develop our young athletes and guide them through their hockey journeys. I am proud to say that many of them have gone on to represent Queensland and Australia. In 2018 I received the MDHA Service Award for my contribution to Hockey in Maryborough.
Indoor: More recently, I have been involved with the re-introduction of Indoor Hockey to our members in Maryborough. During the past 10 years Maryborough has become a power house for Indoor, and I have had the opportunity to coach many of our Representative Teams. It was with great pride that I received a Service Award from the MDHA Indoor Committee this year for my contribution to the sport.
State: I have been a selector for the U13 and U15 Girls State Teams. I managed the U18 Women’s Team for 5 years and in that time, we brought home a number of National Titles. In my role as Development Officer, I participated in numerous development clinics with Hockey Queensland.
How many years did you play – from age … to …?
I started playing at 12 years of age and continue to play today (at 60+), and I had a couple of breaks to have my children.
What is your greatest hockey memory or moment?
- Being able to play with both of my sisters and later on being able to play with all 3 of my daughters (not all at the same time).
- Being a part of our Uniteds Division 1 Team that won 9 consecutive Premierships
1982 United Panthers
Premiers, Minor Premiers, Blue Ribbon Trophy, Patron’s Trophy, Golden Jubilee Trophy, Wide Bay Champions and Cities Carnival Runners-Up
Back Row: G Brown (Coach), H Pettinger, T Pettinger, R Lindeberg, K Hilliard, A Pettinger, B Parkinson (President)
Front Row: P Brown, C Brown, J Ewers, S Simpson (Captain, C McCarthy, W Parkinson, C Moores
Who is your hockey hero or someone who influenced your career?
- Someone who influenced my career – would have to be Betty Hilliard. She was relentless and passionate as a coach – unique.
- Hockey hero – My sister Sharyn McCarthy. To be selected to play for Australia while still playing in Maryborough didn’t just happen. Her unwavering belief, dedication and discipline was very special to witness.
How many of your family played hockey? And who are they?
My sisters Sharyn and Cynthia and brother Douglas. My daughters Cassandra, Lauren and Melanie.
What’s next?
To continue being involved with my club and the MDHA. More time travelling and enjoying being with my girls and family.
Cheryll and her girls - Cassandra, Lauren and Melanie
... and the rest of her family - Cynthia, Douglas, Mum Janette and Sharyn
