Torquay and Donald hockey champion Kathy Hose remembered for her club-first approach

A beloved local hockey identity has died following a brief battle with cancer, just months after helping guide her club to a drought-breaking premiership.

Donald and Torquay hockey stalwart Kath Hose (left) died on February 27. Picture: Contributed.

A beloved Torquay hockey servant has died following a brief battle with stomach cancer, just months after helping guide her club to a division two premiership last September.

Mother of three Kathy Hose, 67, died last Thursday.

Torquay Hockey Club president Sarah Storen said Hose, who previously lived in Anglesea and worked at a local primary school, and the Tornadoes’ Deb O’Shannessy had helped lead the team to its first division two premiership in well over a decade — just weeks before Hose was diagnosed with cancer.

“Torquay hadn’t won the division two title since I think 2011,” Storen said.

Donald and Torquay hockey stalwart Kath Hose (left) died on February 27. Picture: Contributed.

“We had a huge influx of uni students to the club, so we put in an extra team and we reached out to Kathy who had played the year before with the other division two team.

“She was more than happy to help and guide and lead that team on matchday.

“She had planned to go away with the Vic Gold (Immortals) team again in November.

“It was a lot more sudden than a lot of us realised.”

Donald and Torquay hockey stalwart Kathy Hose with the Vic Gold Immortals. Picture: Contributed.

Storen said Hose was a passionate hockey person who wasn’t short of an opinion, joining Torquay in 2016 after spending the majority of her life in Donald where she was something of a hockey icon.

“A very strong person that had a strong view,” Storen said of her personality.

“She just loved hockey.

“She’d always be talking about her family and her grandkids, and she’d also be checking in on (her players).

“Very caring and community-minded.

“Clubs like ours only function with people putting their hands up, and Kath was only ever to happy to help us out when we’d ask her.

“She didn’t love umpiring, but as a club we had to supply them, so she’d help us out and be one of our umpires.

“In the last couple of seasons when I’d reach out to her and ask about her plans, she’d say: ‘I’ll do whatever you need’. That was her approach.

“She’s really welcoming when people come to the club.”

Hose (left) was known for her straight-talking style. Picture: Contributed.

In an online post, the Torquay Hockey Club and the Geelong Hockey Association said Hose was a passionate player, umpire, coach and leader.

“Kathy’s friendly approach to everyone and her willingness to put back in to hockey was greatly appreciated by all,” the club said.

Meanwhile, in another online post, the Donald Royal Blues hockey, football and netball club said Hose was a devoted supporter and role model for past and current club members.

After her connection to the sport began locally in 1970 as a 12-year-old, Hose built a hockey resume which contained 17 A Grade premierships, won 10 best and fairest awards, four runner up gongs and two league best and fairests.

She also won the Dellavedova Best Club Person award numerous times and was made a club life member in 1985.

“We would like to extend to all three families and friends our deepest condolences and offer our support during this difficult time,” the club said.

“May you find comfort in knowing that they were cherished and admired by so many community and club members.”

A hockey pitch was named after Hose, acknowledging her impact on the sport locally.

Originally published as Torquay and Donald hockey champion Kathy Hose remembered for her club-first approach