Kevin Bray
Kevin Bray commenced his hockey journey in 1955 when he played in country Western Australia and eventually for UWA. In 1965 Kevin started playing in Canberra where he would play for ANU and then United. Kevin would also be selected for the Canberra Seconds side in 1967.
It would be Kevins contribution as an umpire where he would shine. In 1967 Kevin would gain his International Umpiring Badge and later his international indoor umpiring badge. Between 1968-1972 Kevin would travel and be based in Canada but upon his return to Canberra in 1972 his umpiring career blossomed.
Kevin was appointed to the Pan American Games in Colombia, in 1974 he would umpire an international series in New Zealand where he obtained his FIH International Class One Grade Umpires Badge and Olympic Games and World Cup ranking.
In 1975 Kevin was appointed and umpired at the Third Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur and in 1979 he would umpire at the “Esanda” World Hockey Tournament in Perth. Umpiring allowed Kevin the opportunity to umpire in Europe, Canada, South America, Asia and New Zealand.
Nationally, Kevin umpired at every Australian Senior National Championships between 1973 and 1980 and at every Australian Indoor Championships between 1978 and 1986 where he would umpire five gold medal matches.
Between 1972-1986, Kevin umpired the Canberra men’s first grade grand final on 12 occasions as well as travelling extensively across NSW and Queensland to umpire and umpire coach at numerous state championships. Kevin would continue to umpire in Canberra until 1991 when he retired due to failing eyesight.
Kevin also made a huge contribution to hockey in Canberra as an administrator. Kevin was Secretary of the ACT Hockey Umpires Association from 1973-1979. During this period Kevin would conduct theory lectures, exams and field testing. He represented the ACT at Australian Hockey Umpires Association meetings and act as the Appointment Secretary for much of this time allocating umpires on a weekly basis to matches.
Also between 1973-1979 Kevin was a member and Vice President of the ACT Hockey Association General Committee. In 1980 this committee would become ACT Hockey Association Council which Kevin would continue to serve on through until 1991. During this time Kevin would fill the role of Chair on many council committees including the senior competition, publicity, indoor and umpiring.
In 1977, Kevin joined forces with Grant Waddell to establish indoor hockey in Canberra where he would write the first Constitution for the ACT Indoor Association in 1978.
Between 1980 and 1991 Kevin was a member of the ACT national appointments panel where he would fill the role of Chair between 1988-1991.
From 1986-1988 Kevin was a member of the 1988 Indoor Hockey World Cup Organising Committee where Kevin attended international tournaments across the world promoting the event. In 1989 and 1990 Kevin was a member of the Australian Indoor Hockey Committee.
Away from Hockey, Kevin would serve in the Public Service and would be regarded as an academic with degrees in Science, Economics, International Law and Nuclear Physics. Following trips to Israel and Palestine in 2004 and 2007, Kevin was a member of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Group, Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network and Chair of the Australians for Justice and Peace in Palestine.
It was the opinion of the association that Kevin had made an exceptional contribution as an umpire and volunteer; made an exceptional contribution to the administration of the sport and the Association; and had demonstrated ongoing and consistent support of the values of the Association; and as a result, would be made a Life Member of Hockey ACT in 1991.