JENNIFER BEITH LIFE MEMBERSHIP 1994

Jennifer was a member of the Meridian Hockey Club when it amalgamated with Canterbury in 1979. Since that year she has played almost every year apart from a trip overseas and a brief retirement in the early 1980’s.

Jennifer has played in many grades from Third Grade and Indoor to A Grade. She was a member of the Second Grade Premiership team in 1989 and the A Reserve Premiership team in 1987. In 1981 Jennifer was a member of the successful Canterbury team that swept all before them on an interstate carnival in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Her participation as a player and coach on intrastate Walker Cup teams are too numerous to mention.

Jennifer’s playing contribution exceeded 400 games in 1994. She coached and player for Canterbury Third Grade in 1985. In 1986 she coached and played for Canterbury Second Grade to the preliminary final. That year she earned the nickname “Badger” for her tireless work rate. She won the Best and Fairest in each year.

Jennifer first joined the Committee as Publicity Officer in 1981 and again in 1982. She then assumed the position of Secretary between 1987 and 1989 and again in 1982 and 83. She was Club President in 1992. Jennifer served on the STWHA as Secretary in 1990. In 1987 Jennifer was awarded the President Trophy. Jennifer’s major contributions to Canterbury have been her organisational skills and her tireless work behind the scenes. Jennifer always has a grasp on how many teams to field each season, where the players will come from and how to register them. She has responded to the never-ending demand for information from the STWHA and attended meetings on the Club’s behalf. Jennifer has always assisted when a team requires a pre-season coach and has organised teams to participate in summer rosters. Jennifer personally put together Canterbury hockey dinners at the Salamanca Long Gallery in 1992 and 1993. Before Club skirts could be purchased in stores Jennifer and others produced a supply for players.

Jennifer’s commitment and loyalty to Canterbury has always been 100%. In recognition of all these things, Canterbury Women’s Hockey Club was proud to award Jennifer Beith the Club’s highest accolade, a Life Membership in 1994.

From Jen’s Life Membership Presentation.