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Sydney University Hockey Club bid farewell to a legend at Homebush recently when Sam Lobsey played his last game for the club in First Grade’s 3-1 win over Briars in the final round of the 2011 competition.

A University hockey Blue and First Grade best and fairest player in 2003 and 2006, Lobsey played 156 First Grade games for the University after joining the club in 2000, when he enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts (Geography and Archaeology) degree.

Playing inside left for most of his career, with short stints at fullback and outside half, Lobsey slotted 36 goals during his long stint with SUHC.

He was named the club’s most valuable (male) player in 2010 and was the men’s contribution award winner in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

He was also named in the Australian Universities Green and Gold team in 2002 and short-listed for the Brian Booth Medal for best and fairest in Sydney Men’s Hockey in 2010.

Lobsey was the club’s lower grade training coach in 2006 and 2007, club captain in 2008 and this year served as club president. He will retire from that position when he departs Sydney armed with a BA and Master of Urban and Regional Planning degrees.

During his stint as president he established the SUHC Advisory Committee to encourage former players to continue to contribute their expertise to the club, and continued the club’s push for a turf pitch.

“Give us a turf and we’ll give you a title,” was his call on being voted in as President. He also placed a heavy focus on junior development and community involvement to safeguard the club’s future.

Sam Lobsey was the second of three brothers from Tamworth to play for SUFC, following in the steps of older brother Matt, and ushering in young brother Tom. He was chaired from the pitch after the match against Briars.

Lobsey departs Sydney with his fiancée Jemima Bartlett, a SUHC Women’s Premier squad member, who has played 153 games for the club and scored 83 goals.

She was best and fairest in Second Grade in 2010 and Fourth Grade in 2004 and was the contribution award winner in First Grade in 2007 and best Second Grade in 2010. Playing striker, she topped the goal-scoring in 2004 and 2010.

A Juniors coach from 2003-06, Jemima is an MA (Teaching) graduate from Sydney University.

The pair will leave a big hole in SUHC ranks – as players, coaches and administrators.

 

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