The Great Britains women’s squad 1978-1980. Standing (left to right): Janet Burrows, Marilyn Pugh (nee Morgan), Judith Foston, Maggie Souyave, Linda Carr, Jane Swinnerton-Ions, Janet Jones (nee Jurischka), Rosie Sykes, Pam Stuart Williams, Jenny Givan Redpath, Sheila Morrow, Shirley Ellis-Morgan, Elan Borrowman. Sitting (left to right): Barbara Hambly, Pauline Gibbon, Violet McBride, Mary Eckersall, Margaret Medlow (nee Rainbow), Anne Ellis.

At a recent ceremony at The Vale Golf Resort, Cardiff, Great Britain (GB) honours caps were presented to a very special group of former players – they all represented GB in the run up to the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, the first Games to include women’s hockey.

All these women played their part in the matches to qualify and then prepare for Moscow. Sixteen were eventually selected for what should have been a first Olympic appearance for GB women’s hockey. Sadly, there was a political boycott and both the men’s and women’s hockey squads withdrew.

Read more about the Moscow Olympic boycott: Echoes of Moscow 1980 | The Hockey Museum

Despite being a relatively new team, this GB squad was very strong. It was captained by experienced Welsh defender Anne Ellis and had a mix of talented players from all the Home Countries – a gold medal was certainly in their sights. For some of these players coming towards the end of their hockey careers in 1980, Moscow was their only realistic opportunity to play at an Olympic Games, whilst for others the subsequent failure to qualify for the Los Angeles Games in 1984 dashed any further dreams. In the end, only two players from this group – Violet McBride and Barbara Hambly – ever got an opportunity to compete at an Olympic Games; they made the squad for Seoul in 1988.

 Oral history interview: Anne Ellis | The Hockey Museum

GB honours caps waiting to be presented in Cardiff.		Sheila Morrow presented Anne Ellis with her GB cap.

While the caps presentation in Cardiff came more than 40 years since this group of players and their families had all been in the same room together, the camaraderie from those earlier years was obvious. Memories were shared, stories told and jokes cracked; and the singing … an ever-present part of any hockey reunion featuring a large Welsh contingent!

The event was organised by Sheila Morrow – now the Great Britain Hockey (GBH) President – with support from The Hockey Museum. Sheila was also a member of this GB squad. She spoke of the excitement back in 1978 of being part of the newly formed GB group, and the passion and commitment they had all put into their goal of playing at the Olympic Games. While the sadness of missing out was still evident, Sheila reminded them of how much they had all gained from the GB experience and of the many friendships that persisted to this day. A toast was given to those GB colleagues who had been unable to attend the event and to those no longer with us: Margaret Brown (Scotland) and to the much-loved Val Robinson (England), who had passed away so recently.

Obituary: Valerie Robinson OBE, 1941-2022 | The Hockey Museum

GB honours caps were presented to each player by Sheila in her role as GBH President, but probably the most moving presentation came when Sheila received her cap from Anne Ellis, Captain of that GB team and Sheila’s long-time mentor and friend. A lovely moment.

Rosie Sykes, Pauline Gibbon and Linda Carr at the cap presentation in Cardiff.

Attendees
Liz Huggins (GB Manager).
England
Janet Burrows, Maggie Souyave, Linda Carr, Jane Swinnerton-Ions, Janet Jones (nee Jurischka), Barbara Hambly, Pauline Gibbon, Rosie Sykes and Mary Eckersall.
Wales
Margaret Medlow (nee Rainbow), Anne Ellis (Captain), Marilyn Pugh (nee Morgan), Judith Foston, Pam Stuart Williams, Sheila Morrow and Shirley Ellis Morgan.
Scotland
Elan Borrowman.
Ireland
Jenny Givan Redpath and Violet McBride.

Absent friends
Lesley Hurley and Kim Gordon (both England); Margaret Gleghorne (Ireland), Elaine Graham and Ellen Patterson (both Scotland) and Win Heath (GB Coach).