Curtin University Hockey Club

Last Sunday CUHC hosted a book launch at Perth Hockey Stadium.

The book entitled PRINCES OF THE PITCH Hockey’s Legendary Pearce Brothers was written by author Ken Spillman. Ken has written around 100 books and been the editor for many others. He has an interest in WA history in amongst other topics, sport. For many years he was interested in the legendary Pearce brothers, Cec (dec), Mel (dec), who played for the former Cricketers & Eric, Gordon and Julian who played for Trinity and the uniqueness of these five brothers playing hockey and representing Australia at World Cups and the Olympics.

It was fitting the book launch was hosted by Curtin University Hockey Club (previously Curtin Trinity Pirates) as Eric, Gordon and Julian all played for Trinity and are Olympic representatives and Life Members of our Club. There was a large crowd and Gordon and Julian were both present with a large number of the Pearce family, unfortunately Eric was unable to attend. Several former Kookaburra & Thundersticks coaches also attended as well as many who had played alongside or against the brothers.

The proceedings included a welcome from CUHC President Adam Piggott and Elspeth Denning OAM & Life Member who talked about the time when Gordon successfully coached WA & Pirates Women’s teams in his unorthodox but very successful way, always with his sense of humour being a part of the training and games.

Ken then spoke about why he wrote the book and the journey to get it to print. Richard Aggiss (AM) a former Kookaburra’s Coach spoke about his recollections of the Pearce brothers and their impact on Australian hockey. The final guest speaker was Jake Harvie (former Kooaburra & current Thundersticks captain) who is Gordon’s grandson. He spoke of parallels between himself & Gordon, the importance of family and how hockey brings people together. Just like the morning did.

There are only a few books remaining for purchase at the discounted rate of $30. It is definitely a good read. Contact Julie Branley [email protected] if you would like to purchase one.

Thank you to all that attended, making this a special day for the brothers and all those involved.

Fixtures - Finals Round 🏴‍☠️

We’ve got two big games to get around this weekend, with Division 8 Women playing their Preliminary Final on Saturday and Premier League 2 Women taking the field for their Semi-Final on Sunday.

Come along, bring the noise and support the Pirates as they head into finals. 📣

As we head towards the end of the season, don’t forget to secure your place at Awards Night. Tickets are available here:
www.revolutionise.com.au/curtinunihockey/events/373439

📸Banworth Photos

Round 19 Fixtures 🏴‍☠️

With finals getting closer, Round 19 brings semi-final hockey for our Division 8 Men and Division 8 Women. Best of luck to both teams as they take on a big weekend.

Over at Perth Hockey Stadium, the Princes of the Pitch book launch starts at 11:30am, followed by the final Premier League Men’s match of the season.

Come down, support our teams and make the most of another exciting weekend of hockey.

📸ParkeyMedia

There are players who pass through a club, and then there are players who become the club. Tanya Storer is firmly in the latter category.

When Tanya Staples arrived at Pirates Hockey Club in 1998 as a 15-year-old, few could have imagined that more than a quarter of a century later she would still be pulling on the orange and navy, still competing at Premier League level, and still being selected to represent Western Australia.

In May 2022, the club celebrated Tanya's 400th Premier League game — a milestone that placed her among the most decorated players in the club. Earlier this season, Tanya quietly passed an even more remarkable milestone: her 450th Premier League appearance.

Those 50 additional games since 2022 are not simply a number. They represent continued commitment to training, to teammates, and to the high standards Tanya has always set for herself. They represent long seasons, and the quiet, steady dedication that defines everything she does as a player and as a person.

What makes this milestone even more extraordinary is what Tanya has achieved in parallel at state level. Since 2023, she has been selected four consecutive times to represent Western Australia in the Women's Over-40s at the Hockey Australia Masters National Championships — in 2023, 2024, 2025, and again in 2026. State selection is earned, not gifted, and across four straight years Tanya has continued to earn it. That kind of sustained representative honour, alongside Premier League hockey at our club, speaks volumes about the standard she holds herself to.

On and off the field, Tanya embodies what it means to be a Pirate. She leads by example and brings the same energy to every game. For the younger players at Curtin University Hockey Club, she is living proof that dedication, consistency, and love for the game are the qualities that define a true stalwart.

450 Premier League games. Eleven Grand Finals. Five premierships. Four consecutive state selections over four years. One club. One true Pirate.

🧡 Congratulations, Tanya 💙

Round 18 Fixtures ☠️

With the season coming to a close, there are only a few more chances to get around the Pirates and watch some of the teams you might not usually see.

Check out the fixtures, pick a game and make the most of the remaining weekends of hockey. 🏑

📸 Banworth Photos

Save the Date: CUHC Awards Night 🏆🏴‍☠️

The season may be coming to an end, but there’s still one big night left on the calendar!

Join CUHC for our End of Year Awards Night, celebrating the people and achievements that made 2026 special.

📅 16 October
📍 Baillie Hill, Long Hall
⏰ 7:00pm
🍽️ Dinner included in ticket price
🍸Dress code: Cocktail

Tickets coming soon. Save the date!

Celebrating the Pearce Brothers 📖🏑

On Sunday 30 August, we’ll celebrate an important part of Western Australian hockey history with the launch of Princes of the Pitch by Ken Spillman.

The book tells the story of the five Pearce brothers, who for over 20 years embodied hockey excellence in Australia. Three of the brothers - Eric, Gordon, and Julian - are Life Members of CUHC, making this a particularly proud chapter in our club's history.

Books will be available to purchase at the event.

📖 Book launch: 11:30am
📍 Eastman Lounge, Perth Hockey Stadium
🚪 Doors open: 11:00am

The bar and café will be open throughout the day, with the launch followed by our final Premier League men’s match day of the season.

Premier League 2: CUHC vs Westside Wolves, 12:30pm

Premier League 1: Westside Wolves vs North Coast Raiders, 2:00pm

Come along and celebrate the past and present of our club and our sport.

Round 17 Fixtures 🏴‍☠️

We’re heading into the business end of the season, with plenty still to play for across the grades. Take a look at this week’s fixtures and see where you can get along to support the Pirates.

Best of luck to all our teams 🧡💙

📸 Parkey Media

CUHC are proud of Kimberly Mais and Tony Zieglar who are off to represent WA Country at the Hockey Australia Country Championships.

Keep an eye out for fixtures and livestreams!

Off they go! ✈️
Our WA Country teams are making their way to Bendigo ahead of the 2026 Hockey Australia Country Championships, kicking off this weekend! Best of luck guys 💛🖤

Proud of Matt Bottomley aka Botts on his recent achievement at the recent Masters World Cup in Rotterdam.

When he isn't coaching our Premier 2 Women or playing in various grades across our club. He is representing Australia and winning gold medals. 🥇🏑

Congratulations and welcome back home.