By Alesha Capone
Andrew Purcell from the Werribee Hockey Club has celebrated playing his 500th senior game.
Purcell, who started playing with the seniors when he was about 14, marked the occasion earlier this month – which coincided with the club’s Allan Purcell Memorial Round.
Purcell is the son of Allan, a club stalwart who died in May last year.
“I just know he would have been shedding a few tears of pride,” Purcell said of his father.
“It was great to have lots of family, friends and old faces I haven’t seen for a while there.”
Hockey is a family game for Purcell – his brother is a Werribee Hockey Club (WHC) life member, his sister played as a junior and his mother has been a constant club supporter and team manager.
Purcell, who played his first WHC game as a junior at the age of five, said he enjoyed the camaraderie, friendship, fitness and competition provided by the sport.
“With the Werribee Hockey Club, a lot of people regard it as a second family,” he said.
Purcell presently plays with the WHC’s open-age (formerly masters) team. He also coached the men’s firsts for a few years.
“The number one highlight of my playing career – and that was also when I was coach – was when we won the men’s first’s premiership in the Vic League 2 in 2018,” he said.
This premiership was a first for the WHC.
Purcell said that only two other club members – Jeff White and Grant Smith – have also played 500 senior games.
“I’m still playing at 40, I’ll keep playing as long as my body lets me,” Purcell said.
“I’d like to thank my children and wife Courtney for all their support over the years.”
The day after his 500th hockey game, Purcell successfully participated in trials for the Victorian over-40s masters side.
He has also twice represented Australia in the over-35s masters hockey team.
