Creative Hockey Club - Graeme Smith - Bog

I started playing hockey in 1954. It was just something to do between cricket seasons.This was when I attended Bathurst Teachers' College.I retired from playing hockey in 1974. Then I commenced a career as a coach.At one stage I was a NSW selector and a member of the NSW Executive.I was even the Deputy President of the NSWHA. Then I moved to Wagga.I was a member of the NSW Hockey executive (1966 to 1977}. Also the Deputy President NSWHA (1976 - 1977). I became associated with Stan Imer and John Gray. They were secretaries at different times. Norm Richardson was an early president who took me under his wing. I also played tennis at school. One of my best mates then was an excellent tennis player. Many years later I saw John Whittaker on TV. He was then president of the NSW Lawn Tennis Association. I played tennis on and off since school. When in Parkes I even played a year or two in a competition. But I am only an average player. I caddied at Duntry League Golf Course on Sundays. In the winter I caddied on Saturdays and Sundays. I became a regular caddy for one golfer. He was runner-up in the club championship. His name was Hunter Lowe. That's how I acquired my first golf club. Hunter gave me a 4 iron. I used to practice with it quite a bit. I still have my 4 iron given to me when I was caddying. I won ski boat in jingle contest. Rob Lynch used to be a regular water-skier. But many of the other Magpies joined me from time to time. But a range of sporting gear came with the boat. This included a set of golf clubs which I still have. I always intended to take up golf seriously so the clubs were handy. But first I needed to retire from cricket. This just didn't happen. In recent years I have been less involved in hockey.Although I still watch the grand final of the local competition each year. It's the same time as the GOF dinner.So I have not attended the dinner since Ingrid started playing hockey. Naturally I view the Olympic hockey.Australia are the number one team (men) in the world. Even after an unexpectedly poor result in Rio they still retain that ranking. Most people are surprised that hockey is the world no. three sport.It follows after soccer and cricket.The popularity of the three sports in India is a major reason for this.