My journey with Valley RFC began back in 1989,when I joined and played a season for the “Knights”. I was reasonably fast those days so managed to evade a few tackles and scored some tries. After graduation I returned to HK and decided it was time to hang up my rugby boots and transition to hockey, trading the cow grass of Valley in those days for the astro turf (not that much better to be honest).

The first season of Valley men’s hockey was a true adventure. We often struggled to field enough players, sometimes scraping together just the minimum requirement of eight. Our team was largely composed of my Valley rugby mates—Tom Hall, Paul “Turtle” Dayton, and Miles Remington, to name a few.

I excitedly took on the role of "the fast one or maybe the faster one,"playing centre forward. Miles held down the goal, given he practically covered the goal just standing in front of it, while Tom and Paul formed a defensive wall that was tough to breach, generally allowing only the ball through but NEVER the player.

I believe our first official men's hockey game took place around 1992, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Valley entering men’s hockey. One moment stands out for me - I scored Valley's first-ever goal! It was a brilliant breakaway from the halfway line, skilfully dodging the offside trap—yes, there was offside in hockey back then!

That goal was the start of many, sadly not from me, but from all the Valley boys that have continued to score and win games for Valley. Whilst working in Indonesia, I joined the boys for what was our first tour- the Singapore 6s. Numerous tours around the region continue to this day, and it is an important part of the club that has also been a good source of recruitment given we are always so well-behaved on tour.

I finally qualified for the Vets, I jumped into the Friday night Vet games. The combination of sport, a Friday and socializing made for many memorable evenings, as well as some that I have zero recollection of! When I rejoined Sunday hockey, Valley had expanded to 4 men’s teams and was thriving with talk of a 5thteam. I was taken in by Carnage, a fitting name for the fun we had on and off the pitch! Fast forward to today, a centre back for "Damage," I find joy in every game win or lose as its more about getting out there with a bunch of good blokes.

Valley has not just been a club; it has been a community, an amazing support network and in many cases, the instigator of new family units. I have met so many wonderful people who remain close friends even though some no longer living in HK. With this being our 50th year, I would encourage you all to get out and celebrate our first half century. With each season spent on the pitch, every card handed to me by an umpire that was clearly wrong, to all the socials attended that are plentiful and fun thanks to the amazing social committee, has enriched my experience and enjoyment and love for Valley.

I look forward to many more unforgettable moments with this incredible club. #VTID