The Cities Men’s club was formed in 1935 following the withdrawal of North’s and Blue Jays from competition at the end of 1934. The transfer of players from those two clubs plus recruitment of players from Mariners, Sailors and Burnetts and some new players to the district enabled the Cities team to participate in the competition that year.

Cities were formed under the leadership of Alf Hogkinson in 1935, affiliating with the Bundaberg Hockey Association.

The inaugural team consisted of Alf Hodgkinson, J. Callaghan, A. Fagg, V. Fagg, G. Reynolds, C. Stibe, C. Puir, A. Rayner, R. Auer, F. Vickers, A. Brown, N. Steffensen, H. Barker, L. Roberts, N. Scotton, R. Emerick, C. Harvey, and T. Harvey.

Cities won there first premiership outright in 1936 on 22 points. Cities scored 48 goals and conceded 13 goals for the season.

In 1940, Alf Hodgkinson, Jack Callaghan and five other members transferred across to assist in the establishment of this new Catholic Club. However following the war many of these players returned to Cities.

In 1941, Cities Hockey Club did not form due to many players enlisting in the services.
Hockey was in recess from1942 to 1945 due to World War II.

Our first premiership after the war came in 1947 under the captaincy of Bert Dent. This same year, a Cities Women’s Club was formed with Norma Lanstrom as Captain. Other members of the team were S. O’Brien, M.Bock, C. Bock, B. Cocking, M. Kennedy, J. Black, V. Kennedy, M. Pahl, M. Pegg, G. Millae, J. Heidke, D. McLaughlan, and M. Rodgers. Cities Women won the march past in 1948 and withdrew from the competition in 1949.

Bert Dent moved from the district in 1949 and he was succeeded as captain by Merv Baker who led the club to premiership honours once again in 1950. Merv’s father Morrie was a long serving Patron of the Cities Club, and the Railway Hotel was the venue of the Cities Club Meetings.

Cities Hockey Club had a very close association with the North School and many of the young players produced by this school joined the Cities ranks as they moved into the senior grades. Cities Hockey Club adopted the North’s club on their formation in 1947 from the schoolboy competition. Prominent among who were Ivan Barton, Harry Hartfiel, Ross Dynes, Ron Dawson, Brian Taylor, and John Heiner.
Mr. Cec Hough, a prominent school teacher at North became the Club President in 1952 and the club has enjoyed a tremendous nursery of players from this school over the years.

Bundaberg Hockey Association re-introduced school boy’s hockey on a Saturday morning in the late 1950’s and Cities once again were very prominent in sponsoring and coaching teams from North School and the Christian Brothers. Both these schools have contributed greatly in the continued growth of Cities

In 1953 Cities nominated two schoolgirls teams in addition to the 2 men’s teams and a junior boys team.

The Club members maintained a close rapport and many social cricket matches were played in the off season against Burnett Heads, Tegege, and Bullyard. Also club members were very active in the early days of American Basketball forming the Devils, Dodger and Dazzler teams and enjoying considerable premiership success.

Dazzlers Soccer team (all Cities Club members) participated in the Soccer Association Fixtures with Harold Scott as coach. This was short lived however as the Hockey Association reverted from Sunday to Saturday fixtures.

In the 1960’s the emergence of the Callaghan Brothers, Kevin and Keith, Ron Derrick, Bevan Vowles, Ritchie Rosolen together with established members Gerry McHugh, Col Read, Harry Hartfiel, Jim Quaite saw the club gain great strength and respect throughout the district.

In 1961 was the beginning of the Golden Era for the club as they were successful for sixteen continuous years before All Blacks broke their run in 1976.

Success in the prestigious Core Cup in 1969 capped of a great year – winning the premiership and providing nine of the Bundaberg Representative Players to defeat Brisbane in the State Championships. Kev Callaghan made the first of his many State Representative trips whilst Jim Quaite was selected vice-captain of the South Queensland team to tour New South Wales.

Several Cities players – Keith Callaghan, Bevan Vowles, Michael Edgar gaining selection in 1970 in South Queensland Touring Team.

In the 1970’s a need for training fields was apparent and the Council granting the use of ground on the riverbank North side saw the development of Cities Training Field – the first club to achieve this status. Donations and much voluntary assistance enabled lighting and improvements to be made.
In 1971 the club successfully staged its first pre season carnival. The carnival was a success, both financially and in the number of teams it attracted. Teams from Rockhampton in the North to the Gold Coast in the South participated. Cities still run there pre season carnival incorporating junior teams.
A further effort to foster hockey was initiated by both the Rovers and Cities clubs when they took teams to the Gin Gin Show grounds to play exhibition matches in 1972, a Club Presidents Eleven playing Club Captains Team. Hockey got off the ground in Gin Gin the next year and some financial and playing assistance from the Cities and Rovers clubs helped the formation of the now well established Gin Gin teams. Cities old boy Viv Chase making a prominent contribution to the game in these years.

In 1983 saw the inclusion of our Cities Women which has provided growth and energy within the club. Our women are now seeing the fruits of many years labour with a mix of youthful players emerging from our junior ranks and older players providing the experience to make our senior teams a force to reckon with.

In 1985 Cities Hockey Club celebrated its Golden Jubilee (50 years). Cities affiliated teams in all senior divisions of the Bundaberg Hockey Association competition and were also prominent in fielding both junior boys and girls teams. The introduction of Minkey Hockey for the very young players saw teams emerge in these divisions.

In June 1986 we farewelled one of our life members, Col Read. Col’s time with Cities can be divided into three main areas. As a player, he represented Bundaberg in the 1950’s and 1960’s and was selected for Queensland Colts and Queensland Country. He served as our clubs Secretary for 11 years. Col’s greatest contribution to the club was undoubtedly his work with the junior players.
Our first ever edition of the Blues News was produced in 1986 .All players, parents and coaches look back on them now with fond memories of club members we have had over the years.

In the 1980’s Cities attended many social hockey carnivals which included the Core Cup, Meteors and Hornets in Rockhampton. (again winning the Core Cup).

Premier League competition started in 1995, where Men’s and Women’s teams from Bundaberg, Maryborough, Gympie and now Hervey Bay compete to be the best club side in Wide Bay. Our Division 1 men have taken this honour out 5 times in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
In 2000, Jacky Burtt was elected as our first female President.

In 2003 Cities ran an Active Juniors Program which was fully funded by Queensland Sports and Recreation and was very successful. Many of our players and coaches gave up their time to conduct training sessions in a number of primary schools over a four week period. The committee behind it was David Miller, Jacquie Haskew, Vince Mallett, Robbie Quaite and John Walters.
One of the highlights of the Active Juniors Program was the appearance of Hockeyroo ambassador, Wendy Alcorn. Wendy’s appearance gained great media exposure for the Club and the game of Hockey and she was warmly received by the students at all schools.


The Youngies , Oldies social game has been a tradition for many years where club members from Over and Under 30 years old play off for the George Schaffer Memorial trophy. Over the last couple of years we have played this at our Junior Break Up day. It provides our juniors the chance see some of our past and present players in action.

There have been many players that have come from our junior ranks which still play and now coach our juniors. Rob Quaite and David Miller have there Level 2 coaching badge along with many others who have gained Level 1 coaching accreditation.

This dedication to our juniors together with a high level of coaching knowledge has seen the Club produce many Bundaberg Rep and Queensland Representatives.

The strength of the club over the past 70 years is highly visible. Cities success has been based on a strong sense of tradition and club pride. Our aim is for our players to gain enjoyment from hockey and to improve personal skills. From this strong team camaraderie between players on and off the field has transformed into success.
Based on these principles, Cities will continue to be a major force on the local Hockey scene for many years to come. The Fostering of juniors and the passing down of traditional club values by our stalwarts is vital for Cities continued success.