History
1954
Presbyterian Hockey Club founded
The club was formed as social activity for Fellowship groups from St Andrews and St Columbus Presbyterian churches. The inaugural meeting was held at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The foundation president was Doug Hill and Ian Mitchell was the foundation secretary. Both Doug and Ian became life members of the club. The uniform was Butcher boy blue shirts, white collars, cuffs, pocket tops and front facings. with cross of St Andrew across the back and on the pocket. They were awkward to make, as many mothers of junior players discovered. Shorts were white and socks were Butcher boy blue with white tops.
1955
Presbyterian Women’s Hockey Club formed
The women’s matches were played on 5 grounds on Acton Flat, now under Lake Burley Griffin. Matches were transferred to grounds at Southwell Park, Lyneham in 1965.
Two men’s teams were fielded in 1955: A Reserve and B Grade. Presbyterian A Reserve were defeated by R.M.C. 2-4 in the Preliminary Final. B Grade were defeated by Old Canberrans 2-5 in the Semi Finals.
The Walker Cup, named in honour of Rev. Walker, first Minister of St Andrew’s Church, was presented to the Most Outstanding Player in the club, John Skene.
1956
A-Grade Team Fielded
The A-Reserve team progressed to A-Grade. The team was defeated by Barton 3-4 in the Semi Finals. Walker Cup awarded to Jack Lonergan, Captain of ACT Senior Team in 1955. He was Club Captain of Presbyterians for a number of years and also a Life Member of the club. Two other Life Members joined the club in 1956; Alan Ashley (A Grade) and Gary Dengate (B Grade). Hamilton Club, awarded to Best Junior Player in Seniors Grade, was awarded to Alan Kimber.
1957
Junior Team Added
The club grew to field teams in A-Grade A-Reserve, B-Grade, Intermediate and an Under 13 Junior team.
A-Grade defeated by Central 1-2 in the Grand Final, A-Reserve defeated by RAAF in Preliminary Final, B-Grade defeated by Old Canberrans in Semi Finals and Under 13’s defeated by St Edmunds in the Grand Final.
Walker Cup, Best Senior Player, awarded to J Stone. Hamilton Cup, Best Junior in Seniors Grade, awarded to Jim Gray.
1959
A-Reserve Premiership
Seven Presbyterian teams fielded under the newly formed ACT Hockey Association: A-Grade, A-Reserve, B-Grade, Under 16, Under 14, Under 12 and Under 10. A-Grade defeated by Central in the Preliminary Finals and A-Reserve were Premiers defeating Waratah.
Walker Cup for Best Senior Player awarded to Alan Bexter. Hamilton Cup, for Best Junior Player in Seniors, awarded to Robert Cornwall.
1963
John MacKinnon’s A-Grade Debut
Presbyterian Hockey Club fields 10 teams: A-Grade, A-Reserve, B-II, C-Grade, Under 16, under 14-I and II, Under 12-I and II and Under 10.
John MacKinnon, Life Member, commenced his A-Grade career with Presbyterian Hockey Club and was awarded Best Junior Playing Senior Grades.
1964
United Hockey Club Formed
The club, being Presbyterian, was unable to participate in Sunday hockey carnivals and fundraisers were restricted to cake stalls since raffles of any kind were not allowed. A change in constitution was called for and United Hockey Club was formed. The St Andrew’s cross was removed from club shirts and teams were able to participate in carnivals.
The following men’s teams were fielded: A-Grade, A-Reserve, C-Grade, Under 16, Under 14-I, Under 14-II, Under 14-III, Under 12-I, Under 12-II, Under 10 and Under 8. C-Grade Premiers defeating St Patricks 4-3, Under 16 (coached by John MacKinnon) drew with Old Canberrans 1-1, Under 14 Premiers defeating St Edmunds 3-0, Under 12 Runners Up lost to Old Canberrans 0-1 and Under 10 Premiers defeating Old Canberrans 4-1.
Walker Cup awarded to John Stone. Hamilton Cup awarded to Graham Reid.
1965
Robert Taylor’s A-Grade Debut
Robert Taylor, Life Member, commenced his A-Grade career and was awarded Best Junior Playing Senior Grades.
Walker Cup awarded to John MacKinnon. Hamilton Cup awarded to Robert Taylor.
1970
A-Grade Men First Premiership
After competing for 15 years in the ACT Hockey Association competition, United A-Grade Men won their first premiership by defeating Barton at Narrabundah South Oval 4-1, coached by Kevin Day. Team: John MacKinnon (Captain) Colin Hazelton (Vice Captain) Alan Chapman John Colman Graham Day Colin Hill Bruce Muffett (Goalkeeper) Kim Newby John Nicholas Graham Reid Robert Taylor Ken Walton
1973
1973 A-Grade Men Premiership
1976
1976 A-Grade Men Premiership
1979
1979 Premiership
1981
United Hockey Club European Tour
Graham Carter organised an overseas tour to Europe for United players and supporters. Matches were played in England, Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland.
1983
United Women’s Hockey Club Formed
United Women’s Hockey Club entered the ACT Hockey Women’s competition with a team in C-Grade.
1984
United Hockey Club Asian Tour
Graham Carter arranged a second overseas trip for United players and supporters to play hockey in Singapore, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Guang Zhou.
1985
United A1 Women’s First Premiership
United Women’ Club entered A1, A Reserve, B1 and B2 teams in the ACT Women’s Hockey competition. The A-1 Grade team had a very successful first season winning the Premiership against ANU 1-0, coached by Errol Bill.
1986
United A1 Women Premiership
A1 Women defeated ANU 2-1 for the premiership.
1987
United Hockey Club North American Tour
United Hockey Club’s third overseas tour was to North America. Matches were played in California, San Francisco , Calgary and Vancouver. United Hockey Club donated the JES MacKinnon Trophy to the ACT Hockey Association to be awarded to the leading ACT first grade coach annually.
1995
Women’s A Grade Premiership
A-Grade Women defeated St Pats 5-3 for the premiership.
1996
Women’s A Grade Premiership
A-Grade Women defeated St Pats 3-2 for the premiership.
1997
Men’s A Grade Premiership
A-Grade Men defeated Central 5-0 for the premiership.
1999
Men’s A Grade Premiership
A-Grade Men defeated Old Canberrans 1-0 in extra time for the premiership.
2000
Men’s A Grade Premiership
A-Grade Men defeated Central 3-0 for the premiership.
2001
Men’s A Grade Premiership
A-Grade Women defeated Central 3-0 for the premiership.
2003
Men’s A Grade Premiership
A-Grade Men defeated Central 1-0 for the premiership.
2005
Women’s A Grade Premiership
A-Grade Women defeated Central 5-4 for the premiership.
2023
2023
Capital League 1 Men Premiership
After 20 years, 1st Grade men, coached by Aaron Hopkins, defeated Wests 2-1 for the premiership.