Hockey Victoria recognises outstanding contributions to the sport

Hockey Victoria announced three new Life Members and one new Award of Merit recipients at last Friday’s Annual Awards Night. In addition to this, HV has been recognising Officials within the Victorian Hockey Community who have had continual commitment, contribution, and service to the sport of significant periods of time.

HV Chair Tracey Drake and CEO Andrew Skillern made the formal announcements of Shaun Dooley, Alison Foenander & Des Piper as Life Members and Neal Williams as an Award of Merit recipients.

Both Alison and Neal were in attendance to receive their awards (pictured below) and both Shaun and Des will be presented with their awards at a separate event in the coming months.

A high level summary of each of the 2025 award winners is highlighted below;

Shaun Dooley – Life Membership

During Shaun’s time he held roles on the HV Finance, Risk and High-Performance Sub Committees, the role of Vice Chair for five years and the Chairperson’s role from 2020 – 2024.

Shaun’s measured, calm and strategic approach to his role as a Director of HV ensured his contribution was a positive one throughout a sustained period of time.

Shaun was a strong advocate for the whole competition and the value that all affiliates provide to the sport — large or small, metropolitan or regional — at all times reminding the Board & management of what’s important: the people, the participant.

In 2020 and 2021, while the world managed themselves through COVID-19, it was Shaun’s very calm leadership which led to a professional response to the pandemic by HV.

During Shaun's tenure a range of key developments were achieved, including the redevelopment of the State Hockey Centre, and the establishment of HC Melbourne, to name a couple.

Shaun was well respected amongst his peers across the states and territories and always stood up for Victoria’s interests, managing the relationships with Hockey Australia and fellow states & territories with the ultimate professionalism and mutual respect.

Throughout Shaun’s tenure the organisation has transformed itself. It has done so through strong governance, continuous improvement and a willingness to innovate and evolve as a sport.

Shaun continues to be an active participant and supporter of Victorian hockey.

Alison Foenander – Life Membership

Alison has performed a number of roles for Hockey Victoria over the years, including:
• Nine years as a Director on the HV Board from 2013 to 2022.
• Nine years as the Chair of the HV Finance Sub Committee.
• An additional three years on the HV Finance Sub Committee.
• Team manager for multiple junior state teams playing at national championships.

Like Shaun, Alison played a critical role as Chair of the Finance Sub Committee in navigating the financial challenges of COVID-19 in 2020 & 2021.
As Chair of Finance, Alison maintained a very close relationship with management and developed a deep understanding of the operations of Hockey Victoria’s business.
Throughout her time, a range of systems and processes with regards to budgeting, reporting and investments were developed.

Alison’s passion to see the game succeed was clear through all of Alison’s interactions. She was a proud Victorian and a strong advocate for developing clubs and regional Victorian hockey.

Alison continues to contribute to Hockey Victoria through her role as a team manager of the Under 18 State Team in 2025.

In addition to her contribution to Hockey Victoria, Alison is the Chair of the MCC Hockey Section and has overseen a transformation of the club in recent years as MCC has set up a home in Elwood and built out a strong junior section of the club.

Des Piper – Life Membership

Des has had an extensive career in hockey as a player, coach and selector at state, national and international level.
Des has had a significant impact on the Victorian hockey landscape.
• Des was awarded an Award of Merit in 1987 by the Victorian Hockey Association.
• A Life Membership in 2000 to Hockey Australia.
• A co-founder of the Frankston Hockey Club in 1973.

As a player, Des has had one of the most outstanding careers of any Victorian.
Des had a 10+ year career in the Australian Men’s Hockey Team, including winning a bronze medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and a silver medal at the Mexico Games in 1968.

In addition to Des’s playing career, he coached the Victorian State Team for 4 years and was a selector for 20 years.

Neal Williams – Award of Merit

Neal has been involved and engaged with hockey in Victoria for around 50 years or more. The majority of Neal’s contribution to Victorian hockey has come through his contribution to umpiring and officiating within the Victorian community, state level and nationally for Hockey Australia.

During his time, Neal has been involved as a member of the officiating committees throughout the 2000s. Neal was a member of the Victorian Hockey Umpires

Association from the 1980s where he oversaw the appointment of umpires as well as the education and training of umpires, including the administration of the ‘State Badge’.
Neal was the elected Chairperson of the Victorian Hockey Umpires Association prior to the amalgamation into Hockey Victoria.

Neal maintained an active umpiring role in the Victorian competition through to 2006.