Distinguished Service Award winners and Life Member Announced

Hockey Queensland is thrilled to announce their three latest award winners for service to hockey in Queensland.  The recipients were announced and awarded at the recent Hockey Queensland Championship in Toowoomba.

Darren Cavanagh
Life Member
Association - Gladstone
Darren has been involved in the administrative side of hockey since he was 18 years of age. Since 1985 he was secretary of his local club Yaralla, a position he held for concurrently as secretary of Gladstone Hockey Association and Club delegate.

Darren was secretary of Gladstone HA for 15 years then 5 years as Treasurer and 3 years as Record Secretary.

As Treasurer he ensured Gladstone Hockey Assocation's financial viability and advocated to improve the hockey facilities, conducted educational programs and operated sustainably.

Darren was Gladstone HA's delegate to Hockey Queensland for 25 years and in 2010 he was elected to the Board where he served for 10 years. Darren has also served on numerous HQ committees over the years.

Darren has contributed to hockey in various roles. Including: 

• He was Secretary/Treasurer Central Queensland Association.
• Managed Gladstone Representative Teams to State Championships.
• Managed Hockey Queensland Representative Teams within Australia and Manager of Australian Men's teams overseas on two (2) occasions.

Darren holds a HA Level 2 Technical accrediation and has been Technical Manager and Technical Officer/Judge at State Championships and is a member of HQ's Technical Committee.

Darren is passionate about hockey, and his continuous efforts are very much appreciated by all he helps. He has a professional and positive attitude and is a valuable volunteer for Hockey Queensland. Darren embodies the #TEAMQLD values and behaviours.

Hockey Queensland is proud to award Darren with Hockey Queensland Life Membership for his time, effort, and devotion to  hockey around regional areas as well for Hockey Queensland.

Darren Cavanagh with Hockey Queensland President Steve Stewart

Mick Smith
Distinguished Service Award
Association - Toowoomba 

Mick Smith joined the Past High Hockey Association in 1988 and from 1991 to 1998 served as the Past High President. Due to his commitment to the club as a volunteer, he gained Life Membership of Past High Hockey Association.

In 1989, Mick was elected as a Director of the Toowoomba Hockey Association Board, and has been a valuable member for 31 years.

Mick resigned at the 2020 end of year AGM.

During his time on the Board, Mick was instrumental in putting in place Toowoomba's first artificial surface on field one, following up with laying its second turf on field two and subsequently upgrading both fields over ensuing years from sand base to the national standard water-based surfaces they are today.

As a Board member, Mick took on the role as Director for facility maintenance, overseeing maintenance and improvements for the entire Clyde Park precinct. During this time, he was involved in the construction of our field amenities, the development of Club Glenvale and the purchasing of more land for the purpose of developing Hockey in Toowoomba, thus ensuring its future.

Mick has contributed his time and energy to sport development across the Darling Downs region and is highly regarded within the community, but it is Hockey to which he has devoted his passion, and in doing so was successful in obtaining significant sponsorship for the Association.

Mick's personal contribution includes countless hours volunteering for numerous working bees, communal activities and special events, but his favourite activity was announcing the junior hockey programme and upcoming events every Saturday morning. Saturdays were not Saturdays without first hearing his voice over the PA system informing parents and kids of the day's proceedings, advising teams where they were playing, who was umpiring, acknowledging goals scored. However, the most eagerly awaited announcements of the mornings, were the junior players birthday calls where each child was thrilled to hear their name being called over the speakers.

Mick received Life Membership of the Toowoomba Hockey Association in 2010.

Mick Smith has given significant time and effort to the sport of hockey and is a worthy recipient for the Hockey Queensland Distinguished Service Award.

Hockey Queensland CEO Alison Lyons, Mick Smith, and Hockey Queensland President Steve Stewart

Peter Searston
Distinguished Service Award
Association - Townsville

Peter commenced playing hockey as a 6 year old in Townsville, and played senior club hockey from 1970 - 1991. He played representative hockey for Townsville and Queensland Colts U21.

Peter commenced his coaching career with Brothers D1 Ladies in Townsville. He took the Townsville U17 Boys to consecutive state titles in 1986/87. 

Peter was the Queensland Country Team Manager for numerous years in the 1980s.

This was followed by stints with Queensland U21 Men and the Queensland Blades in the early 2000, whilst also coaching the Townsville senior men from 2001 - 2006. 

Peter was the Queensland Men's AHL Team (Queensland Blades) Assistant Coach for 11, and later was the Chair of Selectors for the team.

Peter was Manager of the Australian Men's Team under Barry Dancer.

Currently Peter is a selector for the Hockey One Brisbane Blaze Men's team, and is on the Hockey Queensland Coaching Committee and is also currently assistant coaching the Brothers Division 1 Men's team in Townsville. 

Peter has served in many roles as a player, coach, and administator at club, association, state, and national level. 

Peter has served the Hockey Queensland community for nearly 40 years and is a worthy recipient of the Hockey Queensland Distinguished Service Award.

Hockey Queensland CEO Alison Lyons, Peter Searston, and Hockey Queensland President Steve Stewart