HA Award Of Merit Recipients Announced for 2025

Congratulations to Gary Marsh and Jim Mason on being announced as recipients of a Hockey Australia Life Membership and Award of Merit respectfully. 

Gary Marsh – QLD

Gary has dedicated his life to the game of hockey. His journey in the sport started as a player, before he transitioned to umpiring at just 21 years of age. Gary quickly rose through the ranks from club and state competitions to the international stage. He earned his Australian Badge and went on to officiate at national championships before the establishment of the National League, where he remained a mainstay for many years. 

Gary enjoyed considerable success at the international level, officiating at the Champions Trophy in Germany and Pakistan, and a FIH World Cup in Sydney. After his on-field career concluded, Gary continued to give back to the sport in a multitude of ways, becoming an Umpire Coach, Tournament Director, and as an inaugural member of Hockey Australia’s Officiating Committee from 2001. 

In 2002, Gary began a new chapter as an FIH Technical Officer, serving at major tournaments including Junior World Cup Qualifiers, Youth Olympics, and culminating with the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast as Tournament Director.

James “Jim” Mason – QLD

Jim dedicated his life to the sport of hockey, making a remarkable impact as a player, coach, selector, and administrator. Jim’s journey with Australian hockey started at Brothers HC before he became a lifelong member of Parks HC, where he played a key role in fundraising and team coaching.

Kookaburra #202, Jim’s leadership traits were on full display from the age of 16. He captained the Queensland Schoolboys team before progressing to the senior state team by 1967, where he enjoyed a distinguished career through to 1981, with many of those years as captain. 

On the international stage, Jim became a two-time Olympian and Olympic silver medallist in Mexico City, after making his debut against New Zealand in 1967, where he amassed 83 internationals and scored five goals.

His passion for the sport endured well beyond his international career. He was instrumental in developing the sport regionally, coaching the Townsville senior men’s team for more than 20 years and guiding the Queensland Country team from 1982 to 1992. In 1993, he was a key figure behind the formation and success of the Far North Queensland “Barras” National League team, strengthening the lineup with top Australian talent, before his influence extended nationally as a Kookaburras selector from 1996 to 2000, helping shape Australia’s campaign toward the Sydney Olympics.

Jim was later inducted into the Hockey Queensland Hall of Fame in 2003. 

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