#CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew Sutton on his selection as a Hockey ACT Life Member for 2022!

Andrew Sutton has been involved in most facets of hockey in Canberra as an administrator, player, umpire and coach at both the association and club level for the past 45 years.
 

As an administrator Andrew has made significant contributions to Hockey ACT at senior, junior and indoor hockey. Andrew was a member of the Hockey ACT Junior Competition Advisory Committee for nearly a decade helping to create competitions that attract new participants to the sport and met the needs of the participant as community sport evolved. Andrew was also a member of the Indoor Competition Advisory Committee for approximately 6 years overseeing changes in the way indoor hockey is consumed by the participant and playing a key role in growing participation of the sport. Andrew has also served the association at a Board level back in the late 1980’s as well as stints on the Senior Competition Committee and Junior Competition Committee.
 

Andrew continues to lend his services to Hockey ACT as he enters his third year as the Hockey ACT Representative on the Hockey Australia Indoor Advisory Committee. Andrew has also taken a lead role in co-establishing the first Hockey ACT Indoor Development Camps to better prepare a wider pool of players ahead of ACT State Indoor team selection for National Championship events.
 

Andrew has also made a significant contribution to Hockey ACT as an umpire. Having commenced umpiring in the 1970’s, Andrew has gone on to umpire locally and nationally at very high levels. Andrew has umpired for the association across many decades including 6 consecutive Men’s First Grade Grand Finals and at representing the Association as an umpire at National Championships ranging from U15’s to U21 level. Andrew continues to offer his umpiring services to this day as an active mentor in the JOEY’s program, as an active umpire on our outdoor and indoor umpiring panel including being appointed to the Super Indoor Men’s Grand Final for 2021-22 season.
 

Andrew has continued his invaluable volunteer services as a Coach for ACT and Canberra Representative Sides for both indoor and outdoor hockey. Andrew has coached ACT Indoor sides at the U15 and U18 Women’s National Championships and as an Assistant Coach of the U13 Girls Outdoor National Championships.
 

Added to his contribution to the Association, Andrew served on the University of Canberra Hockey Club Committee for nearly two decades in various roles including President and Treasurer before going on to co-found University Juniors Hockey Club in 2009 serving as President and Treasurer for 13 years. In that time Andrew has assisted in growing the club to not only one of the largest junior clubs but one of the largest clubs in Canberra. For his contribution to both clubs Andrew was rightly recognised with Life Membership of University of Canberra Hockey Club in 1994 and Life Membership of University Juniors Hockey Club in 2019.
 

Andrew’s contributions have been recognised having received the University Union Leadership Award in 1992, University Student Union Services Award in 1994 and in 2015 he received the Bill Weidner Award for Hockey ACT Administrator of the Year.
 

Andrew has also made a significant contribution as a coach at a club level having coached for 25 years which includes a CL1 Women’s Premiership in 2010 and CL2 Men’s Premiership with UCHC in 2008.
 

As a player, Andrew played over 450 games with UCHC between 1983 – 2010, an unknown number of indoor games as well as winning an U19’s premiership during his stint with Canberra Grammar between 1976 – 1982.
 

In line with the terms outlined by Hockey ACT for consideration of Life Membership of the Association it is our opinion that Andrew has made an exceptional contribution to the administration of the sport and the Association; demonstrated exceptional leadership skills; has demonstrated ongoing and consistent support of the values of the Association; and made an exceptional contribution as an umpire and volunteer.