Memorial Awards

Karen Morrison (1963-1979) - Most Promising Junior Girl

Karen Morrison was a West Hockey Club player who tragically died in a car accident in 1979. At the time of the accident, Karen had been holidaying with her family in Robe, and was driving back to Mount Gambier. Karen's family initiated the "Karen Morrison Most Promising Junior Girl" trophy, in her memory. Karen's siblings continued to play for West until the family moved away from Mount Gambier. To this day, the Karen Morrison Most Promising Junior Girl trophy is awarded each year. 

Damon Dodds (1977-2014) - Damon Dodds Memorial Award

Damon Dodds was a member of West Hockey Club from 2011-2014. Damon's two young children started playing junior hockey in 2011 and Damon soon joined the West Committee as a general committee member and assisted with the grounds, canteen, bar and anything else that needed doing. In 2012 Damon took up playing as well, despite no previous experience, and played with the West Division 3 men. Damon took on the role of Sponsorship Coordinator for the 2014 season.

With one week remaining before the start of the 2014 season, Damon experienced a heart attack and passed away at only 37 years of age. West teams donned traditional black armbands in memory of Damon for round 1 of the 2014 season. The sight of Damon's West Hockey Club playing shirt draped across his casket on the day of his funeral brought tears to the eyes of club members in attendance but it also brought a warmth to our hearts knowing that Damon had embraced the club to that degree.

The few years Damon spent with the club had an impact that exists to this day and an impact that carries on with the annual presentation of the Damon Dodds Memorial Award.  Damon reminded us that our club needs those people who we cannot do without.  He understood that it can't all be left to one or two people, that everyone needs to chip in to secure the future of the club and the members of it. He understood that for our juniors to get the best opportunity to develop as players and as people that he needed to do his bit. The club still misses him and still wishes it did not have to do without him.  

Sophie Bombski (2005-2016) - Sophie Bombski All Rounder Award

Karina Bombski, Sophie's mother, was a long term member of West Hockey Club until 2012 when the family moved to Queensland. Sophie wasn't old enough to play hockey before the family moved away, but did train with her older sister Hannah's team, and helped on game days and at training, as well as cheering on West teams as a spectator. 

In 2016, while Sophie's dad and Hannah were home Sophie had an epileptic seizure in her family's backyard swimming pool. Despite the best efforts of her family and medical team, she sadly lost her life a few days later. 

Sophie loved being around family, friends, and loved everything bright and beautiful, including unicorns and rainbows. Sophie's family initiated the "Sophie Bombski All Rounder Award" in her memory, which is awarded each year to an under 12 girl player for showing determination, resilience and a never give up attitude, just like Sophie.

West held a very successful "Rainbow Weekend" on 20-22 May 2016, in memory of Sophie and to raise funds for Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation. The Club raised an amazing $2,560! When Sophie passed away her family decided to donate her organs and tissue. Sophie has given the gift of life to over 10 other people who didn't have long to live.

Please start the conversation with family and friends about your wishes around organ and tissue donation. Registration only takes 1 minute, sign up today https://www.donatelife.gov.au/. This is your chance to save someone who is extremely ill.

Thank you to West members Leanne Ballintyne, Bronwyn Nicholson, Sharon Lewis and Rachel Calliss who organised the Rainbow Weekend.