Cairns Hockey Rene Archer Indigenous Round

Celebrating indigenous culture at Cairns Hockey

The significant increase in awareness of indigenous culture across Cairns Hockey in 2021 has led to the clubs, association members joining with Operations and Aspire to be Deadly Program to commit to and participate in a specially designated round of hockey. The event held specially designed club shirts which were available for auction, stalls with traditional food, art and music as well as an acknowledgement to country and stories being shared.

About Rene Archer

Rene Archer started coaching a team coming from Paramatta Park in the 1960’s and she continued committing and coaching this team into the 1980’s . Rene managed to get 2 teams regularly.

Rene became a member of the Junior Committee and Chairperson of that committee at Cairns Hockey from the 1960’s through to the 1990’s and helped start and drive the junior representative program to attend state carnivals. During this time, Hockey Qld did not recognize any primary school hockey and Rene formed a committee with the regional hockey centres with the full backing of CHA started a Primary Schools carnival which in time turned into the Qld U13 State title – now the biggest annual state hockey championship.

With the assistance of Wilma Holmes – Rene and Wilma fundraised to make attendance at these championships affordable. Both Rene and Wilma took teams away as either coach or manager during this time. Rene was chair of this league for several years. She was also a state selector. Hockey Qld then came on board and thus the U13 State Championships was created as they saw how successful this was.

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What a wonderful way to honour a truly special lady 🥰

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Carly Malcom
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Mrs Archer, she is the reason I fully enjoyed my hockey. She gave me my first ever hockey stick too.

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Louisa Haich
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what a beautiful inspirational lady she was

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Janice Radlof
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Loved Mrs A!

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Darren Anna Caddy
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Mrs Archer was my coach at Parramatta when I started playing in Grade 2, and all through Primary School, then my Cairns coach for several years. Many presentation days where in her backyard pool and Mr Archer made our trophy. Special Memories.❤️

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Tracey Horn
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Mrs Archer was my coach as well when I played for Parramatta SS 🙏🏽💙🤍

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Mandii Nicholson

Recognition

Rene Archer was made a life member of Cairns Hockey for her contribution to the development and the advancement of junior hockey across Cairns and regional areas and was awarded an OAM for her services to the community.

Indigenous round took place on 9th July 2021.
We thank everyone for embracing this special event.

Highlights can be found at Rene Archer Indigenous Round Ceremony 2021 – YouTube

Information on 2023 Indigenous Round:

This year the Rene Archer Indigenous Round will be Celebrated at the Cairns Hockey Ground Friday 23rd June 2023. CHA and club functions to commence 6:00pm, with the Acknowledgment to Country at 6:15pm and club uniform presentations thereafter. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

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