RAF Ladies Veterans – The Early Years

In August 2005, a testimonial was held at RAF Halton for FS Alison Smith to commemorate 15 years of service to RAF Ladies Hockey. FS Smith had supported the team both as a player and in her latter years as a manager and coach, and was about to retire from the service after 22 years of service. This testimonial proved to be the catalyst for the formation of the RAF Ladies Vets, bringing together players of the 80s and 90s to play against the current RAF Senior Ladies team. Approximately 25 retired players from this era gathered together to re-kindle lost friendships and re-count stories of old. Despite the average 10-year age gap, the Veterans side managed to steal a 3-2 victory from the RAF Senior side. Convinced that the “old dogs” still had some life left in them, the veterans decided they had more to give. Hence, months after the success of the testimonial, a core of retired players who had played alongside FS Smith in the victorious Inter Services teams of the early 1990s, resolved to establish a Ladies Vets category within the Inter Services competition.

In September 2006, permission was granted by the Combined Services Sports Board for a trial Ladies Veteran competition to be held at Portsmouth as part of the Mar 2007 tournament. The RAF Ladies won the Veteran title convincingly beating the RN 5-1 and the Army 4-0, and entry of the Ladies Vets into future competitions was granted.

In August 2007, the RAF Veterans re-grouped for another Past vs Present game this time to give thanks to Sgt Linda Harding, who decided after 18 years of service to RAF Hockey, to retire from the senior side and accept her fate in the veterans. Once again, the RAF Veterans managed to hold their heads high matching the RAF Senior side for both speed and fitness to earn a 2-2 draw.

Unfortunately, the RAF Veterans were unable to retain their title in the Mar 2008 Inter Services at Aldershot. Despite a convincing 6-0 win over the RN side, the fitter Army side proved too strong and the RAF Veterans lost 3-1.

Since then, key members of the RAF Veterans have been instrumental in the formation of a CS Ladies Veterans side. The CS Ladies were invited to attend the annual national Veterans event in July 2008 between Wales and England Vets at Cardiff, and took part in a friendly game against the Welsh side, which ended in a well-deserved 3-3 draw. Word has since spread of the successful formation of the RAF Ladies Veterans, and the numbers of retired players showing an interest has now tipped 40. With the RAF hosting the Mar 2009 Inter Services, the RAF Vets side is keen to re-establish itself as Top Dog. Plans are now in progress to prepare the Vets for this competition, which even after all these years, holds a special place in the hearts and minds of those many who have tasted its success.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the RAF Ladies Veterans, should contact the Manager, Lorrie Manhire on 07816 511697 or lorrie_manhire@yahoo.co.uk.