The Somerville Cap is not a long service award, it is an award made to players only.

It goes to players who epitomize the values and qualities that Somerville has valued since its inception.

It is not about the best players, it is the people who bring something extra to the game they play and awarded only once.

Awarded to a:

CRITERIA

Strong team player excellingin their grade

Player who displays excellent sportsmanship

Player who creates a collegial spirit within their team and the club

Committed long term and current member of the club

The cap is:

CRITERIA

Not necessarily an annual award, it is based on merit only

Awarded to a player once only, with the year to be embroidered on the cap

Awarded at the discretion of the Executive Committee, with final approval from the Club Patron and President

To be awarded at the Annual Prizegiving

Ash Ready

AWARDED 2025

  • In 2008, two young players joined Somerville Hockey Club with a third sibling following in their footsteps a couple of years later. For over a decade, their parents could be found managing, coaching and dashing between three different hockey teams—week in, week out.

    One of those parents, whose passion for the game runs deep, was recognised in 2018 by Auckland Hockey with the Commitment to Youth and Junior Hockey Award, a testament to years of service to the sport and our community.

    Ash first picked up a stick at Auckland Grammar School, and in 2012, he decided it was time to return to the turf, making a comeback with the Div 4 Men’s team. A couple of seasons later, he stepped up to Div 3, a team that’s made it to the finals more times than we can count, (at least seven) and in 2025, they finally brought home the silverware.

    But Ash’s contribution doesn’t stop there, he has served as Youth Club Captain, Vice President, Premier Reserves Mens manager for a couple years and D3 manager for countless years. Perhaps his most memorable, the mastermind behind “Headband Days'“ and his 3 year journey to get a scoreboard at AGS. Thanks to him, his team is always the sharpest-looking crew at prize giving and finals weekend in their embroidered blazers.

    And if you’ve ever heard a trumpet blasting from the sidelines, you already know—this person is one of Somerville’s loudest and proudest supporters.

Chetan Chhita

AWARDED 2025

  • Chetan (aka Chippa) joined the club in 2000 and initially played for the Premier Reserves for 6 years, winning the Championship in every one of those years. Then, after playing for the old Champ 2 for a couple of years, Chippa played Divisional hockey from 2009 at Division 1 level. And at times through this period, also helping to coach the team.

    Keeping with the coaching theme, he has coached both junior and youth teams as his children have moved through the club.

    He took on the Vice President role in 2023, and then in 2025 he also added the Junior Club Captain to his list of responsibilities with the JCC role being vacant. He always puts his hand up to take on tasks or deal with issues that need sorting - he really is the Somerville Mr Fix-it!

    But beyond all that, this is a club member who can always be relied on for a beer, a laugh and a chat.

Irene Ryan

AWARDED 2025

  • Irene has been a stalwart of Somerville Hockey Club for a great many years.

    Over that time, she have taken on roles throughout the club including coach, manager, committee member and Club President, as well as Ladies Club Captain. She was a member of the inaugural 1981 lady’s team (along with two others still active in the club) and still today, 44 years later, continues to turn out weekly for our Division 3 team.

    To this, she has always maintained exceptional fitness standards, and this has no doubt assisted her longevity as a player. Hopefully, she doesn’t mind us noting that she is currently the club’s oldest playing member, by age.

    As well as her Club history, this player has been consistently selected for Auckland and New Zealand Masters teams since 2000, and has played at 3 Master’s World Cups, and many Trans-Tasman tournaments versus Australia. Most recently, she was a member of the inaugural New Zealand Over 70’s team at the 2024 World Cup and played in the gold-medal winning team at the 2025 Trans-Tasman test series.

    On top of all this, she has held numerous roles across Auckland Hockey and NZ Masters Hockey as both executive member and Chair. She was made a Somerville Life Member in 2014 and was elected Auckland Hockey’s 33rd Life Member in 2024. And away from hockey, displaying her literary side, she researched and wrote much of the content that you can read in ‘The Somerville History’.

Mike Morton

AWARDED 2025

  • Starting your hockey career in your 40’s could be considered unusual but Mike has packed a lot into their hockey life since then.

    He joined Somerville Hockey Club in 2013, and soon became involved across the club, managing, coaching, umpiring and assisting with trials in the lower divisions. He has consistently performed to a high level for the Division 4 team over many years, and is a well respected player who contributes mightily to the team’s successes.

    Mike has always been a great supporter of club events, fines sessions and consistently supports other Somerville teams whenever possible. And is always present on finals weekend urging on our teams in their respective games.

    As a team manager, he gained notoriety in his team for posting game details for the weekend on the team app on Tuesday morning and expecting full responses by that same evening. Players who fell short of this expectation were then relentlessly stalked and chivied throughout the week. There was a point to this, though, because by knowing his team numbers early, he usually had 1st dibs on recruiting youth players, well ahead of other teams.

    As well as his club hockey, Mike has also shown a consistent presence in Masters hockey. He made his provincial debut for Taranaki in 2016, and since then has demonstrated his ability for Wellington, Auckland, and for the last few seasons, Counties-Auckland, as well as competing in the 2017 World Masters Games in North Harbour. His sock collection must now be quite extensive and colourful!

Parry Patel

AWARDED 2025

  • Parry came to the club in 2005 and has continued to contribute and make a huge impression since then.

    He currently coaches Junior Somerville teams as well as the Junior academy, he umpires and he plays.

    Parry has served on the Committee on more than one occasion and is a current Committee member since 2024 and is always prepared to put up his hand to help out.

    In 2025 he has set up our club leaderboards and continued to update these weekly, which have been a huge success.

Ben Joyce

AWARDED 2023

  • Ben watched his siblings playing for Somerville juniors for years, which motivated him to start mini's in 1997 at aged 5. The following season he was joined by cousin Samantha Charlton and they formed a formidable defence together in various teams for several years.

    In 2000, Sam Norton joined them and under Simon Nortons coaching they won the 6 aside gold grade and Ben won the trophy as the best 6th grade player in Auckland. By 2002 Simon had them playing back and around tactics in 8th grade and they won the gold grade again.

    That success continued when 2 seasons later Ben and the team were joint winners of the 11th gold grade. He played in several Auckland age group rep teams but preferred doing a range of activities with friends rather than solely focusing on hockey.

    Playing in Somerville youth grades followed while at secondary school, and several years were spent making coffees and BBQ sausages in the club canteen on Saturday mornings. When Ben left school in 2010, he got his bar managers licence and was actively involved in running and managing the Somerville bar in the hockey pavilion.

    Ben has played several years in Somerville’s Premier Reserve team before heading on a 4 year OE stint. Ben returned to Somerville to play in a very competitive and winning Div 1 team for 3 seasons. This 2023 season he opted to play in a lower Div 4 grade with friends, some of whom had never played hockey before, and they won the grade final last weekend.

    Ben co-coached a Div 1 Womens team in 2021 and this season coached and managed the Div 4B mens team. He has been an active committee member for several years, overseeing the gear and uniforms and co-ordinating adult summer hockey for the past 2 seasons.

    Ever the showman, he has MC'd the past 2 prize givings and won the Miss Somerville title and has been active in helping organise club social functions.

    Ben epitomises the Somerville values both on and off the field and I am sure his children will be Somerville members if they decide to play hockey.

Mark Gardiner

AWARDED 2023

  • Following in the footsteps of his father, Mark started playing for Somerville as a 5 year old around 1984 in the halcyon days of Hobson Park.

    Playing for Somerville ever since, he has also represented Auckland at Hatch Cup and age group sides.

    During younger days has been in winning Auckland Grammar Rankin Cup and North Harbour Challenge Shield teams.

    The lure of the great wide world saw a move to the mother land in 2003, joining the Cardiff Hockey Club and settling down as a Taffy all too quick. While there making history as the most carded hockey player in the club’s history, before being overtaken by another Somervillian Mark ‘Cabbage’ Ramage.

    Returning to Auckland in 2011 with more night out stories than hockey experience, he returned to his roots at Somerville, playing here ever since.

    Earning a lifelong nickname at the under 18 level for his likeness to a character in the TV sitcom Life Goes On for his intelligence, but being prone to being a bit ‘special’ and doing or saying dumb stuff.

Julia King

AWARDED 2022

  • Julia King came to Somerville in Youth grade and has played in the Premier 1 team since the age of 15 years old, clocking up 14 seasons in white and blue. She started strong with seven concurrent wins and many Auckland and Intercity titles since.

    Jules as she’s known to most, was Simon Nortons golden child at St Cuthberts, and has also played for top teams in the premier divisions in England, Germany and Australia – this September she is heading to play for Adelaide in the newly formatted AHL.

    Julia has held National honours since she was 16, going to the Junior World Cup in 2013 and King debuted for the Blacksticks women’s team in 2011. Since then shes clocked up over 130 caps for the New Zealand Blacksticks, recently participating at the Tokyo Olympic Games and a myriad of Champions Trophy and Pro League tournaments.

    Described as the women who can do it all Jules has spent time in all positions, but thrives in the midfield. Known for her insane eye and devastating reverse, Jules is one of the smartest hockey players on the pitch.

Glyn Clarke

AWARDED 2019

  • Glyn's sporting career began in the stickless version of hockey - football, where he made the move to goalkeeper due to dissatisfaction with the incumbent keeper's performance. He began playing hockey in 1986 at Orewa College, and first played club hockey for Dairy Flat in the North Harbour competition. In 1988 Glyn moved to Mt Albert Grammar, and also to Somerville.

    He quickly rose through the hockey ranks, representing the Auckland Colts (A and B sides), and the New Zealand U21 team in 1990 and '91, with whom he toured Australia. For Somerville, Glyn has played for the reserve and premier teams, and more recently the D1s.

    Off the field Glyn has made himself a much-loved member of the Somerville family for over 30 years (the only record that he's beaten his wife at). and has gotten stuck in to all aspects of club life. He has coached at all levels of the club: premier, division, youth, junior, and mini teams. On the administrative side, Glyn has been Men's Club Captain, and sat on the Somerville committee for various stints. He also volunteered his wife to come out of retirement for the first time in 12 years to play for the premier women.

    Glyn has won the infamous toilet seat on multiple occasions, as well as the esteemed Miss Somerville competition. And as a testament to his love for the club, he hasn't missed a telephone book delivery in all the years since they began.

Belinda Smith

AWARDED 2019

  • Belinda has followed the well-trodden Somerville path starting in Minis, 8-aside, 11-aside, Youth with the mandatory filling in in the Senior grades and then playing in open grade in her own right over a 22 year journey. She also played through the Clubs TK Academy and all age group representative teams for Auckland, finishing with over 100 caps for the NHL side. She has coached the TK Academy and the Auckland Under 21’s for several years.

    She captained the NZ Under 21’s side and was a member of the NZ Blacksticks Development programme for 4 years.

    Belinda’s journey has been enriched by the people she has played with and those who have coached and guided her along the way. All have lead her to become the straight talking and compassionate leader that she is, as the Captain our very successful Premier Woman’s team.

Helen Clarke

AWARDED 2017

  • Helen joined the club in 1989 into our Premier women’s team as Goal keeper. She was on the Club committee during the 90’s whilst still representing NZ. She attended 3 Olympics, 2 world cups and 2 Commonwealth games winning bronze medal at KL in 1998. Helen played from 1989-2004 as Premier Keeper.

    She came out of retirement in 2017 to cover the premier keeper season ending injury playing until 2020, mentoring the successor goalie. She has also received her Somerville Cap in 2017. Helen has played, coached, administered, selected and developed numerous keepers over the years, and is a regular on the sideline at Somerville games. Helen is married to Glyn who plays in the club, along with her children Nick and Sophie.

Abbie Gunning

AWARDED 2017

  • Abbie joined Somerville in 1996 at 17 years old, and hasn’t looked back. After playing one year in youth, and many more in either Div or Champ grades, plus playing goalie for the Reserves, you would think she had always been here.

    This is due in large part to her wealth of administrative roles, including: sitting on the club committee (assuming the position of secretary for many years), umpiring, being the club captain for women and juniors, managing several teams, coordinating summer hockey, helping as a selector, working behind the bar, and of course partaking in the much-revered phone book deliveries. Though she captained a few sides over the years, she prefers not to, which is understandable, given the mountain of responsibility she has already off the field. She was recognised for her dedication and passion for the club and received the Special Services Award in 2016.

    People, history, and culture are Abbie’s main drivers behind her love for the club. Possibly resulting from her own family’s history with Somerville - her uncle played for us in the 60s, and her sister Claudia has played for us for the last 15 years. Building on that history today, Abbie’s daughter has her first couple of seasons under her belt already - one to watch for the future!

    Abbie has been a member of the Masters Advisory Group 2021-present and AHA Board member from 2022-2025.

  • ROLES AT SHC

    Committee Member:
    1999—2024

    Secretary:
    2001—2005, 2009—2018

    Bar manager:
    2007—2016

    Locally Directory Coordinator:
    2008—2010

    Summer Hockey Coordinator:
    2008—2012

    Umpire Coordinator:
    2008—2015

    GTFA Secretary:
    2012—2016

    Club Umpire:
    2012—2018

    Senior Prizegiving Coordinator:
    2015—2021

    Women’s Club Captain (Acting):
    2018

    Junior Club Captain:
    2020—2024

    Team Manager:
    Numerous years on and off

    ROLES AT AHA

    Club Council Representative:
    2007—2009

    Masters Advisory Group Member:
    2021—present

    Board Member:
    2022—present

Andy Muir

AWARDED 2017

  • In 1993, like so many of us, Andy began playing for Somerville in the junior grades. The bright-eyed 10 year old boy made his way through the grades as the years went by, playing for U18s, Reserves, Prems, and is most recently enjoying life in the Division 1 Men.

    During his time at the club, Andy has been an exceptional leader, captaining the Reserve Men, and coaching the Div 3 and Div 1 Women. He has also provided outstanding physiotherapy services to many injured players at Somerville, and in the wider hockey community.

    A close knit, supportive club with a focus on development has been the key influence on Andy remaining with us for nearly 30 years. This has been achieved with “amazing people”, across all facets of the club including players, coaches, and management.

    Andy has also been an influence on the next generation, as his nephews are currently playing in the Junior grades.

Kerry Heard

AWARDED 2014

  • Kerry is the son of Brian and Linda, and has been part of the club since 1977. He was a member of the Premier side, which won three AHA championships in 1985, 1992 and 1993, and in subsequent years, has played in other division winning teams. He has also been an Auckland representative.

    Kerry served on the Committee in the 90’s and 2000’s including the position of President in 2002-2003. Kerry has also been awarded the prestigious Somerville Cap in 2014. A regular face around the traps, he came out of retirement in 2018 to manage the Premier Mens team, and is currently managing the team again in 2022.

Iain Murphy

AWARDED 2014

  • At the age of 6 years, Iain was encouraged to follow in his parent’s path and play for Somerville. The deal was he had to play for a season. That season has ended up with a long playing career.

    Iain followed the usual route up through the Club and has played most of his adult career in the Premier Reserve team with a short time in Premier Men.

    Iain has been a team manager, served on the Executive Committee, coached and umpired and has also received team awards and Schoolboy of the Year.

    Other than a year playing in Ireland, Iain played for Somerville continuously for 26 years before taking a break.

Jocelyn Murphy

AWARDED 2010

  • Jocelyn’s association with Somerville goes back 50 years to the early 1970s. In 1981 Jocelyn became an inaugural playing member of Somerville with the creation of the Women’s side. Jocelyn has only played for Somerville since then and is still playing today. She represents Auckland in her age group at NZ Master’s Tournaments.

    Over the years Jocelyn's passion for hockey and Somerville has lead her to hold many positions within the club: team manager, Club Captain (Mens, Womens & Youth), Club Administrator, Summer Hockey Co-Ordinator, Club President and Life Member.

    Jocelyn was first awarded Best Team Member in 1981 and there have been a few more team awards since then. She has received the Bill Newsham Award twice.

Rob Towns

AWARDED 2009

  • Robert joined Somerville in 1983 and rose to Somerville Premier level. He played in this team for a number of years, winning several Auckland championship titles. When Robert won the prestigious Somerville Cap his brother Simon, having received his in 2007, presented the Cap to him.

Simon Norton

AWARDED 2008

  • Simon has played at Somerville from Juniors all the way to Premier, where he was a valuable team member for 15 years. He has been the Somerville Vice President and held various other roles.

    Since Simon finished his Blacksticks career in 1986, he has enjoyed more time coaching and administering our sport. His coaching career began 1978 and has held a number of coaching roles. One of them as the Director of Hockey at St Cuthbert’s College, seeing the 1st XI winning many titles including the Auckland Secondary Schools Champions and the Intercity.

    He has also coached the Auckland NHL, U21, U18 and Development Squads from the early 90’s with many of the teams resulting in champions and runner-ups. He is also a Life Member for Auckland Hockey and has taken on a number of administration roles for the management board, including Youth Council and Regional Development.

Mark Pooley

AWARDED 2008

  • Mark has played for the Club since the age of 6. He has played for Auckland from Hatch Cup right through to Auckland Men’s and recently in the New Zealand 40’s Master’s side.

    As a coach he has been involved initially with the Juniors before later being a player coach for the Premier Reserve Mens side, very successfully for over 10 years. He has a great energy and passion for the game which spills over to loud enthusiastic calling on the sideline.

Simon Towns

AWARDED 2007

  • Simon joined Somerville when he was five years old and has played all his club hockey here, journeying up through the junior grades, and playing many seasons for the premier men's team. His leadership skills have led him to captain many sides in that time, including the prem team, for which he was also player/coach for a season.

    Growing up at Somerville produced many great hockey memories for Simon over the years, as he made friends and learned to play the game. He learned exceptionally well, which culminated in him representing New Zealand for several years. In his first game for NZ, he played centre-midfield alongside five other Somerville players: all three strikers, and the two other midfielders.

    Some may not know that Simon was also a very competent umpire, particularly in high school, and umpired the national Hatch Cup tournament.

    More recently Simon has enjoyed playing for the D1 team, alongside his brother Rob, while acting as assistant coach for the premier men. Other members of his family have also played for the club including his father Kevin (KT) and sister Natasha.

Ryan Archibald

AWARDED 2006

  • Ryan is a proud 3rd generation Somerville member and played his first game in the Somerville uniform at the age of 6. While that first Saturday morning was a tentative beginning (so it is said), Ryan was hooked and continued to represent the club through the age-groups and ultimately playing for the Premier men’s team for no less than 25 seasons.

    Ryan’s hockey journey has also seen him play in domestic leagues around the world as well as representing New Zealand at three Olympic Games, World Cups and Commonwealth Games, accumulating 327 international caps along the way. Ryan continues to involve himself in the sport with both coaching and governance roles and has been recognised with a New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to hockey.

Gareth Brooks

AWARDED 2006

  • Gareth joined Somerville when the national side centralised before Athens in 2004 and loved it so much he stayed in Auckland until 2008.

    Proud to represent NZ in 112 test matches including the Athens and Beijing Olympic campaigns, enjoying stints in Holland before returning to NZ and living in Wellington then settling back in his home town of Christchurch where he now resides with his wife Rosie and three kids.

    “I have fond memories of always playing attacking hockey at Somerville and then catching up with Eric Archibald, Arvind Jasmat and KT after games for the essential debrief. They were special times and we had a great side that was always in with a chance which culminated in winning the title in 2007”.

    Gareth enjoyed training youngsters whilst at Somerville before setting up the Wellington High Performance Academy and now continues to coach kids at his old club: High School Old Boys/Burnside in Christchurch.

How it all began

In the 1930’s Somerville gave out a cap to every team’s Most Valuable Player. We assume, from reading and talking to members of our long established families, that an individual was awarded the MVP award for playing ability, leadership on the field, and being an integral member of their team.

One of our Life Members, David Watts, recalls that there were NZ players in Somerville that may have had a NZ Cap but didn’t have a Somerville Cap. It was a sought-after award and not one based solely on playing ability. In 2006 “the Cap” idea was resurrected thanks to Ruth Jasmat. Ryan Archibald and Gareth Brookes were awarded Caps before they headed off to the Hockey World Cup in Germany.

The Clubroom was at the time filled with players and ex-players from the last 4 decades. “I haven’t got one, wish I had one!” and “Great idea” were some of the comments made at the time. Consequently the Executive Committee had talks with Eric Archibald, our Patron at the time, and some of our other members to get their thoughts. The result of these discussions was the following criteria, set for the awarding of a Somerville Cap since 2007.