Old Canberrans Hockey Club was founded in 1936, when two teachers, Arthur “Curly” Martin and Les Williams entered two teams from Telopea Park School in the local competition.
The Club entered the A-Grade competition in 1938 as Telopea ex-students and finished as Minor Premiers.
With the formal establishment of Canberra High School in 1938 the Club adopted the name Old Canberrans with its logo taken from the High School badge. Membership was initially restricted to students, ex-students and teachers of the two schools. The name ‘Checks’ by which the teams are generally known, came from the distinctive shirt of black and gold checks, which was used to distinguish it from the Club’s other A-Grade team, the ‘Golds’, which in 1947 formed the Waratahs Club.
Checks dominated the A-Grade competition from 1939 until 1953 and more recently from 1988 to 1995. For a period in the 1970s and 1980s there was an active Women’s Club, which was re-established in 1998. After a period of separation of 52 years, the Waratahs Club rejoined Checks, allowing the strengthening of the juniors boys teams and the establishment of the women’s and junior girls teams.
In 2006 the club achieved its target set in 1998 of re-entering a team in the 1st grade women’s competition. In 2011 our Capital League mens team, coached by Peter Morgan defeated Central in strokes to take out the premiership, and the following year, Ray Dorset lead a team of CL1 women to their first ever OCHC womens 1st grade premiership.
Old Canberrans continues to run a Hin2H (formerly “Minkey”) program to provide players for the junior boys and girls competitions.
Club Values:
• Gracious in victory and dignified in defeat.
• Promotion of a healthy mind and body through sport and social contact with club members of all ages and backgrounds.
• Fulfilling a role in our community by introducing children to the benefits of a healthy sporting life. Promotion of hockey as one of the finest athletically based team sports.
• Promotion of our juniors into senior ranks.
• Ensuring that officials that make our sport possible are treated with due respect.
Club Goals:
• To promote a culture of participation and inclusion that introduces people of all ages to hockey for life – both on and off the field
• To develop a vibrant, enjoyable and inclusive club culture that celebrates contributions and successes at all levels
• To foster a culture of success that encourages and facilitates individuals to reach their full hockey potential
• To deliver a quality junior development program that is attractive to current and potential participants
• To develop a participation framework that ensures hockey as a sport of choice