The David Watham Award

Presented in recognition of an outstanding service contribution to the club.

David Watham was a former club President with Gordon Hockey Club.  David was heavily involved in the administration of the club over a number of years and but he also loved to play the game and was a stalwart in the Gordon lower grades back in the days when hockey would be played on the grass, half-time still involved oranges, and you could take an “esky” to the ground!

Few, if any, club members knew that David struggled with depression and at a tragically early age took his own life. David's family while devastated by what happened saw the number of team mates and club members who turned up to his funeral and decided to dedicate the David Watham trophy to him.

The award is available for all club members for service off the field. It is to highlight the people who like David spend so much time and put so much effort into keeping our club together.

The Mike Standring Award

Presented to the most outstanding contributor as a first year member of the club.

This award was commissioned in memory of Mike who was one of the victims of the 2002 Bali bombings.  Mike had been in Bali on leave for a social sports festival including hockey.

Mike played in the Men’s 3rd/4th grade group and in his 1st year with the club became a well-known and respected club member.  On the field Mike was not a world beater but off it nobody had a bad word to say about him.  He was, without question, the best performer in 2002 at Club Social events with an infectious smile and a great ability to lighten the mood even after the hardest loss.  It was expected that Mike would be around the club for the long term.

From The Sydney Morning Herald On 6 November 2002:

Michael Standring made friends easily. The Englishman had been in Sydney less than a year, working as a systems engineer for Nokia, but more than 40 friends from the Gordon North Sydney Hockey Club attended a wake for the 31-year old last weekend.

The club president, Patrick Larkin, called him "my team-mate, colleague and friend", a committed club member who was thoughtful, friendly and enthusiastic.

The Davidson Award

Presented in recognition of an outstanding service contribution by an U25 male member of the club.

The Ann Smith Family Award

Presented in recognition of an outstanding service contribution by an U25 female member of the club.

Ann Smith and her family have a 30 year association with Gordon Hockey Club and GNS.

Ann is a life member of GNS. Follow the link to learn more about Ann's story.

The F. Pethebridge Award

Presented in recognition of the leading Men’s 1st grade player.

Fred Pethebridge is understood to have been a former key administrator with the North Sydney Police Youth Club before transitioning with the Cremorne-North Sydney Hockey Club merger.

Fred is reported to have been a passionate leader, a long term executive committee member through the 1950s and 1960s and a particularly one eyed umpire!

GNS Women's Best and Fairest Award

Presented in recognition of the leading Women’s 1st grade player.

The Don Sundin/Rick Temple Award

Presented in recognition of the Men's top goalscorer.

The Sharon Johnston Award

Presented in recognition of the Women's top goalscorer.

In amongst a very distinguished playing career Sharon was a goalscoring striker and midfielder at state and national levels.

Sharon is a life member of GNS. Follow the link to learn more about Sharon's story.

The Col Serrao Award

Presented in recognition of the Men's most oustanding U21.

Col Serrao is understood to have joined Gordon Hockey Club from North Sydney in the 1960’s as club coach (non-playing) for several years through that decade. 

We are currently seeking to find out more about Col.

The Hannah Thorley Award

Presented in recognition of the Women's most oustanding U21.

Hannah is a life member of GNS. Follow the link to learn more about Hannah's story.

The Truman Award

Presented in recognition of the most improved Men's player.

We are currently seeking to find out more about the history of The Truman Award.

The Joy Hayes Award

Presented in recognition of the most improved Women's player.

Joy is a life member of GNS. Follow the link to learn more about Joy's story.

The Peter Lyons Memorial Award

Presented in recognition of the team of the year.

Peter’s history stemmed from his involvement with North Sydney dating back to the late 1960’s as a highly talented U21.

As a senior Peter was a skilful player playing mainly third or fourth grade through an era when North Sydney were very strong. Peter was the perfect clubman. Loved his bourbon and coke and beer and regularly played cards and darts at the clubhouse until the wee hours of the night.  He would always attend club functions. Peter had a slight stutter when he was nervous. He was universally liked.

Partly due to his card player prowess we called him “Lucky Pierre”.  Doubling back blind in blackjack games was his regular catch cry.

Peter Lyons died suddenly of an aneurism at the age of 37 in 1995.  His death shocked many of the club members and over 500 people attended his funeral.  

The memorial perpetual trophy was raised by Dennis Sundin and several of his close hockey friends.  Peter’s approach was considered to epitomise a “good team member” where you strive for success, but understanding that winning was not everything and certainly secondary to the camaraderie of a laugh and a beer with good mates.

Coach of the Year

Presented in recognition of the GNS coach of the year.

The Stephen Versteegh Award

Presented in recognition of the GNS umpire of the year.

Stig moved to Sydney from SA and joined GNS in 2010 and almost immediately stepped into the Men's Convenor job.

Stig was a member of the SHA and the men's AHL umpiring panels for several years and has gone on to earn his first international umpiring appointments.