From debut to milestone, Stuart Beltz reflects on 1000 games and a lifetime of hockey

Stuart Beltz never thought he would play one game of hockey, yet he’s now played 1000. The DiamondBacks legend opens up on his toughest opponents, best memories and the moment it all started.

Stuart Beltz has notched up 1000 games for Diamondbacks. Picture: Supplied

The idea of one hockey game used to be an afterthought for Stuart Beltz, let alone reaching the 1000-game milestone.

Beltz went to watch his older brother in 1978 and despite his parents not wanting him to play, the under-13s were in need of players and the then 11-year-old put his hand up and never looked back.

On Saturday, the soon to be 58-year-old notched up his 1000th game for the DiamondBacks.

“It is quite incredible to reach the milestone because there are four other blokes who have reached it from our club and I think some others from other clubs as well,” Beltz said.

“It is pretty special to be joining a pretty exciting band of players around the south and around the state as well. Definitely very proud.

With the DiamondBacks 1000 club, LR Stuart Beltz, Stephen Oliver, Peter Holmes, Bob Harris, Mark Geeves. Picture: Supplied

“I didn’t play as a kid, the parents weren’t too keen on it and I went out and watched my brother play a game and one of the teams were short and I ended up having a run and every since then I have continued to play.”

Since his first game, Beltz has played at the highest level for his club, masters, state and national competitions.

Beltz said a lot has happened in his 47-years of playing the game but he has never lost the passion or love for it despite his body breaking a few times.

“I played for Australia in the Masters which was very special moment,” Beltz said.

“The first time was Canterbury in the UK where we won bronze there and the second one was in Barcelona in Spain which we won gold in the over-50s.

“My body has broken a couple of times but I have been able to stay fit through other means and been able to still play.

“And I think you learn to play in the capabilities of your body, you sort of go through those years where you still feel like you can do things like you are 20 but in actual fact you need to change your game and preserve your body by changing your game and not doing so many dangerous things on the field.”

Stuart Beltz is now the club’s vice-president and a junior coach at the Diamond Backs. Picture: Chris Kidd

Beltz’s son’s Josh and Hayden both play for the Kookaburras and live in Perth while his wife Tracey has also played for Australia in the Masters too.

Over his time playing the sport he has loved the most, Beltz reflected on some of his toughest teammates and opponents.

“Peter Holmes, ‘Digger Holmes’ they call him, he was the first clubman to get to 1000 games,” Beltz said.

“He was a bit of an inspiration when I first started playing A-grade and he used to be pretty fit and run around and have quite an imposing on field persona, in a positive way, just so much energy.

“Geoff Perriman, ironically played for us in the 1978 premiership but I played against him when he was at Uni in the 90s and he was a really tough character to play against.

“Michael Hurst was another guy who played for us for a couple of seasons as well but he played at Canterbury, he was a pretty tough nut on the field as well, tough but honest but that’s the way I liked to think I played as well, I have mellowed a bit since then.”

One of the memorable moments for Beltz’s career which isn’t memorable for the best reason is the gap between premierships.

“I was part of the 1982 premiership when I was in the under-17s then didn’t win one until I think it was 2006,” Beltz said.

“I have one five now, one as an underage and four as a senior I believe.”

Originally published as From debut to milestone, Stuart Beltz reflects on 1000 games and a lifetime of hockey